Ham hock and collard greens

Ham hock and collard greens recipe videos

Ham hock and collard greens is a classic Southern American soul food dish where smoked pork hock is slow-simmered with hearty collard greens. The key ingredients are the smoky, meaty ham hock, tough collard greens, and a flavorful cooking liquid often seasoned with onions, garlic, vinegar, and sometimes a touch of sugar or red pepper flakes.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with the ham hock providing a significant amount of saturated fat. It is a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like calcium and iron, with a rough calorie range of 300-450 per generous serving depending on the cut of meat and amount of added fat.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	215 kcal
Protein	15 g
Carbs	8 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	850 mg
Potassium	480 mg
Vitamin A	3500 IU
Vitamin C	35 mg
Vitamin K	450 mcg
Calcium	280 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Phosphorus	180 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.4 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a cornerstone of Southern U.S. and African American culinary heritage, representing resourceful cooking that transforms tough, inexpensive cuts of meat and greens into a deeply flavorful meal. Nutritionally, the long cooking process helps break down the tough collards, making their nutrients more bioavailable, while the vinegar often added helps balance the richness and may aid in mineral absorption.