Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey delivers slow-simmered Southern flavor, tender smoky greens, and hands-off slow cooker cooking. Chopped collard greens, smoked turkey, bacon, and savory broth come together in this classic Southern greens recipe using a long slow cooker method that builds deep flavor over time.
Servings: 6
Calories: 396kcal
Equipment
- Standard 7 Quart Slow cooker
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 bunches collard greens cleaned and chopped (approximately 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 smoked turkey leg or wing
- ½ pound bacon chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar optional
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook ½ pound of chopped bacon according to package instructions, reserving two teaspoons of bacon fat.
- In the slow cooker, place the cooked bacon, smoked turkey leg or wing, and reserved bacon fat at the bottom. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic on top of the turkey.
- Pour in the low sodium chicken broth. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, brown sugar (if using), and cajun seasoning.
- Layer the chopped collard greens on top of the mixture. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the collard greens are tender and the flavors blend together.
- Before serving, remove the smoked turkey, shred the meat, and mix it back into the greens. Stir in the vinegar and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Cooking Notes
Cooking the greens low and slow allows the smoky turkey and bacon to fully flavor the broth. Keeping the collards layered on top of the liquid at first helps them wilt gradually and cook evenly. Stirring in vinegar at the end brightens the flavor and balances the richness.
Tips for Best Results
- Remove thick stems from the collard greens so the texture stays tender after slow cooking.
- Stir the greens once or twice during cooking to help everything soften evenly.
- Shred the smoked turkey and mix it back into the pot so the meat distributes throughout the greens.
- Add vinegar or hot sauce right before serving to brighten the flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 397mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3574IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 3mg
