Slow Cooker Collard Greens

These incredibly flavorful collards are simmered "low and slow" in a vegetarian broth spiked with vinegar and maple syrup. They make a wonderful healthy side dish for a crowd.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 20

Servings cups

Calories 50kcal

Author Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Equipment

Slow cooker (at least a 3- or 4-quart one)

Ingredients

2 bunches collard greens about 2 pounds
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
3 cups vegetable broth
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Wash the collard greens under cold running water to remove any dirt. Pat dry. Then, fold each green in half over the stem and use a knife to slice along the stem to remove it. Discard the stems. Next, stack some leaves on top of each other and roll them up. Slice lengthwise along the rolled up leaves to make thin strips. Repeat with all of the leaves.
If you have a slow cooker with a sauté function, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. If you don't have this function, just cook the onion and garlic in a separate skillet.
Combine the vegetable broth, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in the slow cooker.
Add the collard greens (and the cooked onion and garlic if it's not already in there), and stir well.
Cover and cook on high for at least 3 hours (and preferably 4 to 6 hours) or low for 6 to 8 hours. Increase or decrease the cooking time depending on how tender you want the greens to be.
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Notes

You can simmer the greens overnight on low if desired to get them very tender.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave for about 30 seconds until warmed through.
You can also make the greens in advance if you're planning on serving them to a crowd, then reheat them in the slow cooker. Give yourself enough time for them to get warm.
For a smoky flavor, add some smoked paprika. If you don't need these to be vegetarian, you can also add cooked bacon, chicken, or ham.

Nutrition