Description
A smoked turkey neck and collard greens recipe is a classic Southern dish. It features tough, leafy green vegetables cooked in a rich broth. This savory broth is often called potlikker. Collard greens have thick leaves that need long cooking times to become soft and tender.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 lbs smoked turkey necks
- 2 large bunches collard greens (about 3 lbs), washed well and chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 6 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼–½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste; smoked turkey is already salty)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar or brown sugar (optional, to balance bitterness)
- Hot sauce, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the turkey necks.
- In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, add the smoked turkey necks and broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 1½–2 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
- Sauté the aromatics.
- Remove the turkey necks and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat the oil and sauté the onion for 4–5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Season the broth.
- Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the greens.
- Add the collard greens a handful at a time, stirring until they wilt.
- Mix in the vinegar and sugar, if using.
- Return the turkey.
- Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and discard the bones and cartilage.
- Return the meat to the pot.
- Simmer.
- Cover and cook on low for 45–60 minutes, until the greens are tender and flavorful.
- Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290 kcal
Keywords: smoked turkey necks with collard greens, Southern collard greens with turkey necks, traditional turkey neck collards