Southern-style greens

Southern-style greens are a soulful, slow-simmered vegetable dish, typically made with collard, turnip, or mustard greens cooked low and slow with smoked meat like ham hocks, smoked turkey, or bacon. This method tenderizes the tough greens and infuses them with a deep, savory, smoky flavor, making them a staple side dish in the American South.

🍳 View the full Southern-style greens recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is relatively low in carbohydrates and high in protein from the smoked meat, with the greens providing a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like calcium and iron. A typical serving with meat and pot liquor (the flavorful cooking broth) generally falls in the 150-250 calorie range.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	120 kcal
Protein	6 g
Carbs	8 g
Fat	8 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	480 mg
Vitamin A	6500 IU
Vitamin C	35 mg
Vitamin K	450 mcg
Calcium	150 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Magnesium	40 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg

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

💡 What's interesting

The practice of slow-cooking greens with smoked meat is a classic example of resourceful, flavorful cooking with roots in African, European, and Indigenous culinary traditions, forming a cornerstone of Southern and Soul Food cuisine. The nutrient-rich pot liquor is often considered as valuable as the greens themselves, traditionally sopped up with cornbread.