Instant Pot Collard Greens cooked with a ham hock and a few seasonings ends up being a delicious and nutritious dish that to me, is synonymous with the South. What used to take hours to cook in my dutch oven now takes a little over an hour! If you haven’t tried pressure cooker collard greens, I highly recommend it!
Instant Pot Collard Greens
When I eat collard greens I think of my mom. Most Southern classic foods remind me of her, and of my family on her side. They hail from Kentucky and Southern Indiana, which are not fully Southern states.
That defines my mom and her family perfectly as they were quite Southern in many respects, like cooking, the accent (though not as strong in my mom), religion, and even their use of colloquialisms.
There was also a lot of Northern, or Yankee in them too. When the family moved to WA State, we became settled in and are still here! I like the fact that there are parts of the North and the South that I have been exposed to. I can’t imagine never having eaten Southern cooking!
There are a thousand ways to cook up a pot of collard greens. I have always loved my recipe, which is part mom’s and part mine. After I got my Instant Pot, I was doubtful that the flavor could be infused into this dish in such a short time. After all, anything simmered on the stove for 3 hours is going to be better, right? Maybe not.
The first time I tried making Instant Pot Collard Greens, I just sautéd the onion and threw everything in. Then cooked it for an hour. It wasn’t bad, but I knew it could be better.
I don’t like my greens cooked too soft, but I like them soft, if that makes sense. But I needed to get more flavor from the ham hock, and the only way I saw to do that was to give it a head start in the pressure cooker, then add the greens and cook them with the ham hock for the amount of time it takes to get them to that perfect tenderness.
So, a two-step process is what I came up with. It works so well, and now that’s how I will always make my Instant Pot collard greens! How classically American!
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Instant Pot Cornbread Stuffing
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Southwest Corn Pudding
Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
Rich, flavorful Instant Pot Collard Greens & a ham hock are so delicious! We love these pressure cooked collard greens with cornbread! Faster than on the stove!
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Johnny's Seasoned Salt
- 1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (coarse salt)
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced (optional)
- 32 oz Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 1 Ham Hock (about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs)
- 1 lb Collard Greens, washed, and chopped (or 1 or 2 10 oz bags of pre-washed and chopped)
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Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads "Hot" add the oil.
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Add the onion and cook it, stirring occasionally, until tender.
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Add the seasoned salt, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir.
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Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds or until it starts to smell fragrant, stirring constantly.
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Stir in the chicken broth and set the ham hock in the broth. It may not be covered with broth, and that's okay.
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Turn off the Sauté mode and put the lid on the pot and lock it into place. Set the Steam Release Knob to the Sealing position (not on the Ultra). Press the Meat/Stew button (or use dial on Ultra) and use the + or - button to select 35 minutes.
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When the cooking cycle has finished wait 10 minutes and then manually release the remaining steam by turning the knob to Venting (on the Ultra, push the button) until the pin in the lid drops. Then open the lid.
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If you can, try to break up the ham hock a little using 2 forks. It might still be tough, so don't try too hard as it will be hot! I like to break it in half to help it cook more. But it's okay if you can't or don't want to. Just flip it over!
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Add the collard greens to the pot and use a spoon to push them down into the liquid.
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Make sure the silicone ring is properly in place, then put the lid back on the pot and set the knob to Sealing again.
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Press Manual (or Pressure Cook) and use the + or - button (or dial) to choose 25 minutes.
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When cook cycle is finished, let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then manually release the remaining steam until the pin in the lid drops.
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Open the lid and remove the ham hock to a bowl. Use 2 forks to separate the fat and bones from the meat. Save the bones in the freezer for a batch of Bone Broth! Discard the fat.
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Shred the meat and add it back into the collard greens.
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That's it! You now have a rich and tasty batch of collard greens! Serve them hot with a side of cornbread to sop up the pot likker (pot liquor)!
This is a Two Step Recipe, but don't worry, it's still faster than on the stove, and the results are excellent!
Resources to Make Instant Pot Collard Greens Recipe and More
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Nina Gail
Tried several different ways to cook these and settled on this as the absolute best recipe I’ve ever used for cooking collards. So silky and perfectly balanced seasoning. Froze it in zip lock after preparing and have enough collards to last me til my next winter garden. Thank you!
Teresa Hill
I have never made Collard Greens. For 2021, I felt it necessary to do try everything for a better year. They turned out pretty good. I think it is an acquired taste.
Carlene
I was wondering what would be the timing if using frozen collards? I have both a ham hock, bacon or cubed ham to use with it…as well as the other ingredients.
Sandy
Keep the same time. The collards will thaw as the pot warms up.
Jen
Best I’ve EVER eaten!
Sandy
Awesome! I’m so glad!
Theresa
I made this for the first time on Thanksgiving. It was a hit! The family loved it. It reminds me of the beans and hamhocks I used to make (pre keto). It was absolutely delicious. Thank you for a great recipe.
CJ
Used Food Lion Country Ham Bone for Seasoning, turned out AMAZING! Thank you for the recipe it was delish. Made this with grilled chicken quarters
Judi
Couldn’t find ham hocks
Used 2 smoked turkey legs
Recipe/method perfect!
Allison R Albritton
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve been wanting to try collards in the instapot and this recipe didn’t disappoint. My boyfriends tried them for the very first time and he loved them. I pretty much followed your methods but I also added a few splashes of vinegar when it was done to brighten it up just a tad. I also think in the future, if I have time, I will make the ham stock a day ahead, let it cool and take the fat off, the collards seemed to be a bit oily, but delicious. Thanks again!
Janice Zirkenbach
Fabulous recipe now I can have my greens anytime I want them! I used a combo of mustard greens, collards and kale., followed directions and they turned out awesome! Five stars!
Jeff
I made the collard green recipe and it is the best I ever have had !!! I am from the south and had many different ways of making collards , I recently got the instant pot and trying to get it my cooking for everything, amazed so far!!
This is the only way I will make collards for now on , thanks for posting!
JW
Sandy
That’s great, Jeff! I appreciate your review, especially from a Southern boy!
Elise Davies
It is rare that I find a recipe that I don’t feel the need to change at all. This is one of them. Everything was perfect about this recipe: the flavor balance, the ratio of meat to greens to pot liquor, And the tenderness of all the ingredients was perfect. Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable cooking and eating experience!
Nancy
Followed your recipe exactly as written, which I can honestly say I never do, and it was delicious. Thank you so much for posting. This is s keeper in our home. I could get the stars to post so here is my rating*****!
Dale
If I use a turkey leg and wing, do I still use the two step method? Or can I do it in one?
Sandy
As long as the meat cooks to tender in the one step. I’d make the one step about 25 minutes.
Stephanie Young
Best and most flavorful way to cook collards…I previously used one of the large countertop oven/roaster…for hours…this has more flavor and is quicker. I just saute half pack of thick bacon and a large onion then pressure cook as recommended
Dale
If I am using turkey leg and wing, do I treat it just like the ham hock and cook it first? Or do I cook it all together?
Sandy
I would cook it all together.
Gennie
These turned out amazing! I used smoked turkey wings instead of hocks because they tend to have more meat. We like our greens really soft so I ended up cooking them for about an hour. This is definitely my new go to recipe for collard greens!!
Dawn McCall
My IP has 3 levels for pressure cooking. Which do I use? They are in the he pot cooking now. I put it on “normal” (medium). Should it be on low?
Sandy
Those levels are not for pressure cooking. Just high and low pressure. Use High.
Melissa
First time I EVER made collards for my husband (who is from Alabama) I used this recipe! HUGE hit! Now it’s my go to recipe! Can I use frozen ham hock and if so what do I adjust cooking time to?
Sandy
I’m so glad this was a success for you, Melissa! Yes, you can use a frozen ham hock. I would add 10 minutes to the Step 1 cook time to get the most flavor from it. Then continue with the recipe as written!
Carrie
For the Ham Hock, is smoked okay? or does it have to be fresh. Thanks!!
Sandy
Smoked is perfect!
Kip
Yes ! Last year I tried converting the family greens recipe to cook in IP and had similar experience. Delicious, but… Breaking into 2 stages to maximize opportunity to pull out more flavor is genius and something I hadn’t considered. 2 stages really works to boost the flavor to great heights. Kudos. I’ll be sharing with all the IP owners in the family 🙂
Sandy
Hi Kip, I’m so glad you like my 2 stage process! It really was the best way to get all of that flavor, and it still takes less time than any other method!
Charlotte
My collards turned to mush after just 12 minutes. What exactly is the setting you recommend? I used the pressure cook setting but perhaps I misunderstood?
Sandy
Sorry to hear that, Charlotte. I have never had that happen. I cook mine for 25 minutes and they are perfect. I would try a small batch at 5 to 7 minutes and see if they are less mushy.
Clyde
Made these today, minus the pepper flakes and ham hocks, but added some chopped bacon slices. Fantastic!
Glinda
This recipe is delicious – will be my go to recipe to cook collards now. Cannot beat the wonderful the flavor of the ham hock the pressure cooker infuses into the collards!
Sandy
That’s wonderful! Thank you.
Susan
I made these today and
They are So good! Thanks
Sandy
Thank you, Susan! Happy New Year!
Pam Norton
I’m making 8 bunches of collards and curly kale and that’s not all going to fit.in the pot. Should I do this in two steps – pressure oook 1/2 and then add the rest and go for 25 minutes more? Or take out what’s cooked in the first batch and cook the second batch 25″ then mix them together?
Sandy
You can do it either way. I like the idea of removing the first batch, cooking the second batch, then combining.
Sara
I used 6 hammocks and 4 bunches of collard greens to make more. Added more chicken broth. But otherwise followed the recipe. Came out fantastic! Thanks for the recipe!
karen l mattingly
Terrific! Two step process is a tad more work but so worth it. I added about 3T of salt pork to the onion saute step-because why not? And my local store was out of ham hocks so I used smoked neck bones. I was surprised at how much meat was on those! To heck with ham hocks…
Jennifer DeMiguel
It was my first time cooking Collard greens I had to use smoked Turkey wings grocery store was out of ham hocks.The greens are delicious thank you for teaching me a fast easy way.Happy New Year🎉💗
Mike
I want to try this with kale and add diced potatoes. Any alterations to cook time?
Sandy
Hi Mike, the potatoes will cook much faster than everything else, so add them last and cook for 3 or 4 minutes if they are chopped. A little longer if the pieces are larger. Kale can just be tossed in and will cook from the residual heat.
Debi
Question if I use mustard greens instead of collards do I cook same amount of time?
Sandy
Yes, if you like them tender. If not, cut the time by 1/3 or so. You can always add time if they are not as tender as you like.
Tom
Very good. Used ham but I think I will go with bacon next time. Not familiar with that seasoning salt but I blend my own and used that. Yes, gotta dance a two step but still faster and easier than traditional methods. Quotin’ “Tour of Duty” by Jason Isbell…”I’ve been eating like I’m out on bail. Collard greens and chicken wings and oysters by the pail.
Sandy
Yes, bacon is good. So are smoked turkey legs! So many options! I’m glad you liked it. Thank you for your review and awesome movie quote!
Alice
I’ve made this twice now and subbed smoked turkey necks for the ham hocks. Absolutely delicious and will be my go-to recipe from now on!
Sandy
I’m so glad, Alice! Smoked turkey necks are awesome in this recipe! Thank you for your review!
Sharon
I have been using smoked neck bones in place of ham hocks! They cook faster, and they are meatier!
Carrie L
I have not cooked this yet but I can’t wait to try it. My family uses neck bones for these types of recipes and I was very impressed with them. I’ve always used ham hocks but the neck bones pack for meat and flavor. I will come back and let you know how it turns out:) Happy Holidays!
Lisa
Made this recipe last night. It was my first time making collard greens (ever). They were awesome! Followed the recipe as written with the exception of the ham hock. My local grocery store did not seem to have any…so I used bacon. I didn’t read the comments above until today…so I still put the bacon in at the time the ham hock was called for and used a whole package of bacon. It was probably a bit too much bacon and next time I will probably only use half a pack but they were probably the collard greens I’ve ever had. My boyfriend absolutely loved them and couldn’t stop commenting on how good they were. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Sandy
WOW! This is so great! I’m thrilled that you and your boyfriend liked these collard greens! Bacon is a great substitute for the ham hocks. Thank you for your review!
Elizabeth Adams
This recipe is amazing! As a transplanted “Northerner” I love collards but never got them tender or tasty enough. These are perfect. Several southern friends declared them delicious! I left out the seasoned salt, couldn’t find it and those ham hocks were salty enough. Should I have washed them?
Sandy
Hi Elizabeth! I’m so happy that you liked my collard greens recipe! You don’t need to rinse the ham hocks. If they are too salty for you (if that is the issue), you can add more water and that will thin it out. But do it at the end as you can control it better that way. Or, just use less/smaller hocks. Thank you for your review!
Betty Tyler
Just made this, and it was delicious! I sprinkled a little pepper sauce (it’s an Alabama thing) over the greens before serving – gives it a tiny, clean kick. Thank you for working this recipe out. Perfect.
The stars aren’t working — 5 stars
Sandy
So glad you liked this, Betty! Thank you for your review!
Lisa Nassal
I love this! About the 7th time making it. I use a ham bone or a thick piece of ham and chop it up. I omit the first cooking time. Great receipe! I was not able to give it any stars, but it would have been 5.
Emily
I just got an Instant Pot and would like to try this as my first real recipe (other than cooking dry chickpeas for hummus). I don’t know what ham hock is and don’t know if I can find it. Could I replace it with bacon? And if so, how would I need to alter cooking times? Thanks!
Sandy
Hi Emily! A ham hock is essentially a knuckle, and most often found frozen. You can ask the butcher/meat department person and they can point you to them. Having said that, you can use bacon if you want. You will still get a nice smoky flavor. I suggest 4 or 5 slices of thick cut bacon, chopped, as it will hold up better.
How I would modify the method for bacon is to omit the oil, and when the pot is hot (on sauté), add the bacon and cook until enough fat is rendered from it to add the onion. Then cook the onion and move forward with the instructions as written. Enjoy!
Jess
If I omit the ham hock and replace with bacon, do I add in the chicken broth and omit steps 6-8 and just dump in the collard greens?
Sandy
If you use bacon, yes, you won’t need to precook the meat.
kristy
Hi – this sounds great. DO you think I could sub cabbage for the collard greens?
Sandy
Hi Kristy. You could sub cabbage, but it may not hold up as well as collards with this long of a cook time. I think the flavor would be good, but the cabbage will be pretty soft. The cook time works so well with the collards and the ham hock because they both need a long cook time to become tender. Usually collards are boiled on the stove for hours, as are ham hocks (usually with beans). Having said that, soft cabbage doesn’t bother this girl at all! I love the flavor of cabbage, no matter what! I hope this helps!