Easy Paula Deen Collard Greens Recipe: Southern Magic in Minutes

Collard greens bring Southern comfort right to your kitchen table with deep, rich flavors that dance between earthy and robust.

These dark, leafy vegetables carry generations of culinary tradition within their sturdy leaves.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this nutritious green as a staple side dish packed with incredible depth.

Slow-cooking transforms these slightly bitter leaves into a tender, mouthwatering delicacy that melts in your mouth.

Traditional preparation methods infuse the greens with smoky, savory notes that complement multiple main courses.

Each forkful tells a story of heritage, comfort, and soulful cooking passed down through family recipes.

Hungry diners will find themselves craving these perfectly seasoned, hearty greens that elevate any meal:

Why Paula Deen’s Collard Greens Are a Southern Tradition

• Savor Southern Comfort: Dive into a classic Southern dish that brings warmth and tradition to your table with these mouthwatering collard greens.
• Transform Tough Greens: Watch ordinary collard greens magically turn tender and flavorful through a slow-cooking method that breaks down their natural toughness.
• Boost Flavor Punch: Smoked meat, chicken base, and hot sauce create a deeply rich and complex taste profile that elevates these greens from simple to spectacular.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Taste: This one-pot wonder requires basic preparation but delivers an incredibly satisfying side dish that feels like a culinary masterpiece.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Collard Greens

• Smoked Meat: Provides rich, smoky flavor and depth to the dish. Look for high-quality, well-marbled cuts with good smokiness.
• Chicken Base: Enhances overall savory taste and adds depth to the broth. Choose a low-sodium version for better control of salt levels.

• Seasoned Salt: Adds balanced flavor and saltiness to the entire dish. Select a blend without excessive additives.
• Hot Sauce: Brings subtle heat and complexity to the greens. Pick a classic Louisiana-style sauce for authentic flavor.

• Collard Greens: Hearty, nutritious leafy vegetable with slightly bitter taste. Select fresh, crisp bunches with deep green color and no wilting.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth finish to the dish. Use unsalted butter for better seasoning control.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Collard Greens

Step 1: Prepare Smoky Base

• 3 quarts water
• Smoked meat (ham hock or smoked turkey)
• Seasoned salt
• Chicken base
• 2 dashes hot sauce

Bring water to a rolling boil, then add all ingredients. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 1 hour, developing rich, deep flavors.

Step 2: Clean and Chop Greens

Wash collard greens thoroughly under cool running water. Remove tough stems by holding leaf in one hand and stripping tender leaves with the other. Stack 6-8 leaves, roll tightly, and slice into 1/2 to 1-inch wide ribbons. Younger leaves can remain whole for added texture.

Step 3: Merge Meat and Greens

After meat has simmered for 1 hour, gently add chopped collard greens to the pot. Cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring greens become tender and absorb the smoky broth.

Step 4: Finish with Creamy Butter

When greens reach desired tenderness, stir in butter until completely melted and incorporated. The butter adds a luxurious, silky finish to the dish. Serve steaming hot as a delectable side dish that pairs perfectly with Southern comfort meals.

Pro Tips for Perfect Collard Greens

• Enhance Flavor Naturally: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the entire dish and cut through the richness of the greens.
• Balance Texture Perfectly: Start with tough stems removed, then chop leaves into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easier eating.
• Control Salt Smartly: Smoked meats already bring saltiness, so wait until final stages to adjust seasoning carefully.
• Prevent Bitterness Effectively: Chop greens into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time and minimize bitter undertones.
• Boost Nutrition Secretly: Keep some cooking liquid as a nutrient-rich broth that carries all the delicious flavors and minerals from the greens and meat.

How to Keep Paula Deen’s Collard Greens Fresh

• Freeze: Pack cooled collard greens in freezer-safe containers with tight-fitting lids. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking. Greens stay deliciously fresh for up to 3 months, providing a quick southern comfort meal anytime.
• Refrigerate: Transfer completely cooled greens into glass or plastic airtight containers. Keep refrigerated for maximum 4 days, ensuring best taste and texture. Stack containers strategically to maximize space and preserve delicate flavors.
• Reheat: Warm gently in microwave using medium power setting to prevent overcooking. Alternatively, restore moisture and flavor by adding small splash of chicken broth before reheating. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly, creating restaurant-quality side dish straight from your kitchen.

Creative Twists for Paula Deen’s Collard Greens

• Southern Bacon Boost: Replace smoked meat with crispy bacon pieces, adding a smoky crunch and extra richness to the traditional collard greens recipe.
• Spicy Chorizo Edition: Swap the smoked meat with spicy chorizo sausage, introducing a bold Mexican-inspired flavor profile that elevates the classic Southern side dish.
• Vegetarian Herb Infusion: Eliminate meat entirely and replace chicken base with vegetable broth, then add fresh rosemary, thyme, and smoked paprika for depth and complexity without animal products.
• Apple Cider Kick: Incorporate a splash of apple cider vinegar during the cooking process to introduce a tangy brightness that complements the earthy collard greens and cuts through the richness of the dish.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Collard Greens

Southern comfort reaches new heights with Paula Deen’s collard greens, a soulful recipe that whispers stories of generations past.

Smoky meat infuses deep, rich flavors into tender green leaves, creating a side dish that speaks volumes about culinary heritage.

Careful preparation transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of southern cooking.

Regional traditions shine through each carefully sliced leaf and perfectly seasoned bite.

Hearty and complex, these greens offer more than nutrition – they provide a connection to cultural roots.

You’ll want to savor this recipe, share its deliciousness with friends, and celebrate the magic of home-style southern cooking that connects families and memories.

Hungry readers, dive into this recipe, spread the love through comments, and let this dish tell its delectable story.

Paula Deen Collard Greens Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort shines in Paula Deen’s collard greens, a hearty recipe steeped in traditional flavors. Smoky bacon, tender greens, and rich broth create a soul-warming side dish that connects you to classic Southern cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 large bunch collard greens
• ½ lb (226 grams) smoked meat (ham hocks, smoked turkey wings, or smoked neck bones)

Seasonings and Flavorings:

• 1 tablespoon Paula Deen’s Seasoned Salt
• 1 tablespoon wet chicken base
• 1 tablespoon Paula Deen’s Hot Sauce

Cooking Fat:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) (113 grams) butter

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Instructions

1. In a generously sized stockpot, combine 3 quarts (2.8 liters) of water with smoked meat, infusing liquid with seasoned salt, chicken base, and hot sauce to create a robust flavor foundation.
2. Carefully cleanse collard greens under cool running water, meticulously removing tough stems by gently stripping leaves from their central ribs, preserving more delicate, younger sections.
3. Gather stripped leaves into compact stacks, then roll tightly and slice into graceful 1/2 to 1-inch (1-2.5 cm) ribbons, ensuring uniform cutting for consistent cooking.
4. After meat has simmered for 60 minutes, gently introduce sliced collard greens into the fragrant liquid, allowing them to nestle and integrate with the seasoned broth.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing greens to simmer and tenderize for 45 to 60 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
6. Evaluate the flavor profile, adjusting seasonings with additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce to enhance the dish’s depth and complexity.
7. During final moments of cooking, incorporate cold butter, stirring until completely melted and seamlessly blended, creating a luxurious, glossy finish to the collard greens.
8. Transfer the richly flavored greens to a serving dish, ensuring each portion captures the succulent meat and vibrant vegetable essence.

Notes

• Dive deep into cleaning methods to remove all dirt and sand from tough collard leaves.
• Select robust, smoky meats like ham hocks or turkey wings to infuse rich flavor throughout the greens.
• Simmer greens slowly for nearly an hour to break down tough fibers and create melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• Finish with a pat of butter to elevate the overall richness and depth of the Southern-style side dish.
• Sample and tweak seasonings at the end, ensuring a perfectly balanced and mouthwatering result.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 63
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 22 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg