Southern Instant Pot Collard Greens

Southern Instant Pot Collard Greens – A quick and flavorful Southern classic, made in your Instant Pot! This recipe features tender collard greens cooked with crispy bacon, savory broth, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, creating the perfect side dish for any meal. Ideal for busy weeknights or holiday gatherings, these collard greens are full of rich, smoky flavors and can be customized with optional hot sauce or additional seasonings. Perfect for anyone looking for a traditional, easy-to-make, and delicious collard greens recipe in an Instant Pot.

Ingredients:

• 5 slices bacon (uncooked, cut into ½-inch pieces)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 pound fresh collard greens (rinsed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option, low-sodium preferred)
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (add more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Hot sauce (to taste)

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Instructions:

1. Sauté Bacon and Onions: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode on high heat. Once heated, add the sliced bacon and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crispy and the onion softens.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
3. Wilt the Greens: Add the collard greens and chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the greens wilt for about 2 minutes.
4. Season the Greens: Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce to the pot. Stir to combine, then cancel the Sauté mode. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the Sealing position.
5. Pressure Cook: Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 12 minutes. The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure, then it will cook for the set time.
6. Release Pressure: Once the cooking time is up, carefully Quick Release the pressure. After the steam has fully escaped, remove the lid and stir the collard greens. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Serve: Serve the greens warm with additional hot sauce, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Southern-style collard greens!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Southern Instant Pot Collard Greens are packed with flavor and are incredibly easy to make. The combination of crispy bacon, tender collard greens, and a savory broth creates a comforting dish that’s perfect for any meal. The Instant Pot allows you to achieve the rich, deep flavor of traditional collard greens in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or as part of a main meal, these greens will impress every time!

Tips

• For Extra Flavor: Feel free to add a splash of ham or smoked turkey for extra smokiness, or incorporate a tablespoon of sugar for a slight sweetness.
• Make it Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or hot sauce for an extra kick.
• Consistency: For softer, more tender greens, increase the cooking time by an additional 3-5 minutes.

Variations and Substitutions

• Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the bacon for a vegetarian-friendly version of collard greens.
• Different Greens: You can substitute collard greens with mustard greens or kale for a variation in flavor.
• No Hot Sauce? If you don’t have hot sauce, you can add a dash of cayenne pepper or even a sprinkle of smoked paprika to enhance the flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen collard greens? Yes, frozen collard greens can be used. Just ensure to thaw them first before adding them to the pot.
• Can I make these in advance? Yes! These collard greens store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
• What can I serve with these collard greens? These collard greens pair wonderfully with fried chicken, cornbread, or a hearty bowl of soup.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these collard greens with classic Southern sides like cornbread, mashed potatoes, or macaroni and cheese.
• For a complete meal, pair them with grilled or fried chicken, pork chops, or smoked ribs.
• Garnish with a little extra hot sauce or a drizzle of vinegar for added flavor before serving.

Enjoy your Southern-style Instant Pot collard greens, packed with flavor and made in no time!