Collard greens simmered with smoky, savory ham hocks is a quintessential Southern dish. When you don’t have time to prep fresh greens, using frozen collard greens makes enjoying this soulful recipe even easier. With just a few simple steps, you can transform frozen collard greens and ham hocks into a mouthwatering meal packed with traditional down-home flavors.
As a busy home cook I rely on frozen collard greens to pull together a satisfying dinner on hectic weeknights. By keeping a few bags tucked away in my freezer, I can whip up a pot of tender greens flavored with salty ham hocks anytime the craving strikes. Here I’ll share my simple method for cooking frozen collard greens with ham hocks. Soon, you’ll be enjoying hearty helpings of this Southern classic right in your own kitchen.
Benefits of Cooking Frozen Collard Greens
Frozen collard greens offer several advantages that make them a smart shortcut ingredient:
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Convenience: No need to wash, stem, and chop fresh greens. Just open the bag and add to your recipe.
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Consistency Frozen greens are pre-portioned so you get the same amount every time
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Availability: Keep frozen greens on hand to cook anytime.
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Nutrition: Blanching before freezing helps retain nutrients.
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Cost: Often less expensive than fresh greens.
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Storage: Lasts 6-12 months frozen so less waste.
When you need collard greens in a hurry, frozen delivers the Southern flavor without the prep work.
Tips for Success with Frozen Greens
Follow these tips to ensure frozen collards cook up tender and flavorful:
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Don’t thaw: Cooking from frozen prevents mushiness.
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Use hearty greens: Collards, kale, and mustard greens hold up well.
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Add extra liquid: Frozen greens absorb more than fresh.
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Cook low and slow: Simmering develops depth of flavor.
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Season well: Frozen greens need added seasoning for full flavor.
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Finish with vinegar: A splash of vinegar balances flavours at the end.
With the right techniques, frozen greens can taste every bit as good as fresh.
Step-By-Step Method
Cooking frozen collard greens with ham hocks is simple. Just follow these easy steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 (16 oz) package frozen chopped collard greens
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Add ham hocks, onion, garlic, and broth to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
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Stir in the frozen collard greens. Return to a boil.
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Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 60-90 minutes, until greens are very tender.
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Transfer ham hocks to a cutting board. Shred meat from bones; discard bones.
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Return shredded ham to pot and stir in vinegar and red pepper flakes (if using).
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Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
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Simmer 5 more minutes to blend flavors. Serve warm.
In just over an hour, you can be enjoying pot liquor-soaked greens and tender ham that tastes like it simmered all day.
Cooking Tips
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Add diced potatoes during the last 20 minutes for a heartier meal.
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Use chicken broth for a lighter flavor or smoky ham stock for richer taste.
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Stir in cooked black-eyed peas or white beans to make it a one-pot meal.
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For spice, add crushed red pepper, hot sauce, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
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Garnish bowls with hot sauce or pepper vinegar for an extra flavor punch.
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Swap turnip or mustard greens for part of the collards to change it up.
Serving Suggestions
Collard greens and ham hocks make the perfect accompaniment to traditional Southern fare. Serve with:
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Skillet cornbread – The golden, crispy edges soak up pot likker beautifully.
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Fried chicken – What could be better with juicy, well-seasoned greens?
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Smothered pork chops – The rich, meaty chops accent the earthy greens.
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Cornbread dressing – For a meal with all the fixings, spoon greens over dressing.
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Pinto beans and rice – Make it a hearty Southern feast with this tasty trio.
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Corn cakes – The moist, sweet cakes complement the bold greens.
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Properly stored, leftover collard greens with ham hocks will keep for:
- Fridge: 4-5 days
- Freezer: 2-3 months
To freeze leftovers:
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Let cool completely, then transfer to freezer bags or containers.
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Flatten to freeze into thinner layers for quicker reheating.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
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Label with contents and date.
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Reheat gently over medium-low heat, adding broth or water if needed.
With leftover collard greens and ham hocks in the freezer, you’ll always be just minutes away from a warming, satisfying meal.
Common Questions
Do I need to thaw the collard greens first?
Nope, you can add frozen greens straight to the pot. Thawing leads to mushy greens.
Do I need to remove the ham hocks from the package first?
Yes, remove ham hocks from the packaging so flavors can infuse the greens.
How long is the total cook time?
Plan on 60-90 minutes for frozen greens to become fully tender.
Can I use a slow cooker instead of the stovetop?
Absolutely! Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. Add ham hocks during last 1-2 hours.
Can I use other greens like kale or spinach?
Hearty greens like kale and mustard greens work well. More delicate greens may overcook.
Enjoy Authentic Southern Flavor
When you’re hankering for the smoky, earthy flavors of collard greens and ham hocks, don’t let a lack of fresh greens slow you down. With frozen collards and ham hocks on hand, you can enjoy big potfuls of satisfying Southern comfort food anytime. Simmered low and slow, frozen collards transform into silky, savory greens that are hard to resist.
So grab a bag of frozen collard greens next time you’re at the store. Then settle in and let the smell of simmering greens transport you straight to the heart of the South.
What Are Southern Style Collard Greens?
So let’s talk about the actual collard greens first. Some people are new to southern cooking, so let’s start with what collard greens are!.
What are collard greens? It’s large leafy vegetable that’s similar to kale. It’s usually braised when made the southern way. Most of the time, collard greens are served as a side dish with cornbread and a main dish like chicken or fish.
To cook soul food collard greens, I start off with the meat. As mentioned, for this recipe I will use smoked ham hocks. I like to cook the ham hocks first, in my slow cooker. Although you can definitely cooked them on your stovetop. I just like making them in the slow cooker better because I don’t have to stand over the stove and watch them cook for as long. When the ham hocks are soft, I take them out of the slow cooker and put them in a big pot.
FYI – I prefer to use fresh collard greens. However, frozen greens cook well. I wash my fresh collard greens really well before putting them in the pot with the ham hocks. I make sure to get rid of all the dirt and grit. I also tear or cut the collard greens into small pieces.
There is no heat in this soul food-style collard greens recipe because I don’t use any hot peppers or anything. But if you want to add some heat to your greens, go ahead!
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