🥬 Southern-Style Vegan Collard Greens (Smoky & Delicious!)

🥬 The Ultimate Vegan Collard Greens (A Soulful & Smoky Recipe!) 🥬

Collard greens are the heart and soul of Southern comfort food. They are traditionally slow-cooked for hours with a piece of smoked meat, like a ham hock or turkey leg, which gives them their signature deep, savory, and smoky flavor. This can make them seem like an impossible dish to replicate on a vegan diet.

The fantastic news is that you can achieve that same rich, complex, and smoky flavor using only plant-based ingredients. A great pot of vegan collard greens is all about building layers of flavor. It is the perfect, hearty side dish for a cozy autumn dinner. Let's get cooking! ✅

🤔 What's the Secret to Making Collard Greens Vegan?

The entire secret to a delicious vegan collard greens recipe is to replicate the smoky, savory flavor that the meat traditionally provides. A few powerhouse plant-based ingredients do this job perfectly, creating a 'pot likker' (the flavorful broth at the bottom of the pot) that is incredibly delicious.

The key flavor builders are:

Smoked Paprika: This adds a deep, smoky flavor and a beautiful color.
Liquid Smoke: A little goes a long way, but this is the most direct way to get that authentic, smoky taste.
Sautéed Aromatics: A base of well-cooked onion and garlic is non-negotiable for a savory foundation.
A Splash of Vinegar: A bit of apple cider vinegar added at the end brightens up all the deep flavors.

🥣 How Do You Make the Best Vegan Collard Greens?

This simple, one-pot recipe is a game-changer. The key is a long, slow simmer. Don't rush it! The longer they cook, the more tender and flavorful they will become.

What Ingredients Do You Need?

2 large bunches of collard greens (about 2 pounds)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
6 cups of a rich vegetable broth
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1-2 teaspoons of liquid smoke (to taste)
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

What Are the Instructions?

1. Prepare the Greens: This is the most labor-intensive part. Wash the collard greens thoroughly. Remove the tough stem from the center of each leaf, then chop the leaves into bite-sized ribbons.

2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Build the Flavor: Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Stir in the smoked paprika.

4. Simmer the Greens: Add the chopped collard greens to the pot in batches (they will cook down). Pour in the vegetable broth and the liquid smoke. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot and let the greens cook for at least 1 to 1.5 hours, or until they are completely tender.

5. Finish and Season: In the final minute of cooking, stir in the apple cider vinegar. Season generously with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve your delicious vegan collard greens hot! They are a perfect side for any holiday or family meal. ✨