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Instant Pot Collard Greens cooked with a ham hock and tasty seasonings is a delicious and nutritious dish that pure comfort food! 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!
Collard Greens in the Instant Pot
Collard greens are a Southern comfort food staple, with a robust flavor and hearty texture. Even though I’m in the North, my Southern family roots are strong.
If you love collards but want to cut down on cooking time without sacrificing taste, the Instant Pot is your solution.
About 7 years ago I devised a two-step process for cooking collard greens in the Instant Pot when using a ham hock, turkey legs, or meaty ham bone, etc. It makes the best batch of collards!
Why Do You Cook The Meat First?
- I needed to get more flavor from the ham hock, and get the meat more tender. The only way to do that is to give it a head start in the pressure cooker, letting it cook on its own first.
- Then add the greens and cook them with the ham hock for the amount of time it takes to get the greens to that perfect tenderness. I don’t like my greens cooked too soft, which is why I don’t cook them with the pork the entire time.
- 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!
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.
Is it Okay to Use Pre-chopped Collard Greens from the Store?
Absolutely! Using pre-washed and chopped collard greens can save time. Just remove the pieces that have large parts of the rib (tough center piece) in them.
Can I use a Different meat Besides Ham Hock?
Yes, just get something with flavor. A ham hock is smoked, so it adds lots of flavor to the dish. You can try with other meats like smoked turkey legs, smoked turkey wings, pork jowls, or bacon.
Is There a Substitute for the Seasoned Salt if I Don’t Have Any?
You can use your any brand of seasoned salt or a mix of salt, pepper, and additional herbs for a similar flavor.
Can I Make a Vegetarian Version?
Yes, you can substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth to make this a vegetarian recipe. Try adding some liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.
What can I serve with Collard Greens Besides Cornbread?
Collard greens pair well with rice, grits, mac and cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and more.
Can the Leftovers be Frozen?
Yes, collard greens freeze very well. Store them in an airtight container, and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Instant Pot Cornbread Stuffing
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Southwest Corn Pudding
Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Johnny's Seasoned Salt
- ¼-½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1-2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning (optional)
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced (optional)
- 32 oz Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 1 Ham Hock (about 1 to 1 ½ lbs)
Step Two
- 1 lb Collard Greens, washed, chopped (or 1 or 2 10-oz bags of pre-washed - chopped)
Instructions
Step One - Cook the Ham Hock
- Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads "Hot" add the oil.
- Add the onion and cook it, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Add the seasoned salt, red pepper flakes, and Creole seasoning. Stir.
- Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds or until it starts to smell fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the chicken broth and set the ham hock in the broth. It may not be covered with broth, and that's okay.
- 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 +/- button to select 35 minutes.
- 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.
- 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!
Step Two - Cook the Collards
- Add the collard greens to the pot and use a spoon to push them down into the liquid.
- Make sure the silicone ring is properly in place, then put the lid back on the pot and set the knob to Sealing again.
- Press Manual (or Pressure Cook) and use the +/- button (or dial) to choose 25 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shred the meat and add it back into the collard greens.
- 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)!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How can this recipe be adjusted for the 3-quart mini instant pot?
You can cut the ingredients in half, and keep the cook time the same.
Hi Sandy
I just want to thank you for your recipes
Russell
Hi Russell, you are very welcome! Thanks for the comment!
I used Pork Jowls
Was looking everywhere for a recipe that didn’t use vinegar! This was fantastic. I did a quick release after the ham hocks, because I was impatient lol. It still came out AMAZING!!
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!
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.
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.
Keep the same time. The collards will thaw as the pot warms up.
Best I’ve EVER eaten!
Awesome! I’m so glad!
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.
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
Thank you so much for this recipe! I read through others’, but yours made the most sense to me (someone even suggested discarding ham hocks when greens are done!!!) This recipe is perfect! I cook other greens very often, but I cooked these for the first time 2-3 weeks ago. Roommate 1 declined to taste “my greens” until she discovered they were collards. She raved about them and asked for more. Roommate 2 doesn’t really care for collards, but she also raved and asked for more. I didn’t really eat that much but what I tasted was good! I don’t think I’ll ever cook them another way again. Cooking them again right now! Thanks again.