These smoked turkey wings are cooked with rich, flavorful chicken broth and southern collard greens. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving or any day of the week. Check out the reviews here!.
Collard greens share a special place in my heart. I’m a happy woman as long as I have candied yams, fried chicken, and mac and cheese! Since the holidays are approaching, I thought I’d share this southern collard green recipe with you since one of my readers asked for it. This is a recipe I learned to make when I was very little. I was instructed that the ideal method for enhancing the flavors in Simmering the greens will result in rich and robust flavor.
Every time someone tries my southern collard greens, they always give me positive feedback. While some people like to cook theirs with ham hocks, I only use turkey wings that have been smoked. Not only are smoked turkey wings delicious, but they have less fat than pork wings. If you would rather have ham hocks than smoked turkey wings, feel free to add them. The collard greens are spiced up with crushed red peppers and jalapeños, but you can leave out the crushed red peppers if you’d like. The additional, healthful veggies add a beautiful presentation to the dish, so don’t skip them.
Collard greens, a staple in Southern cuisine offer a delicious and nutritious side dish. When paired with the smoky richness of smoked turkey wings, they create a flavor explosion that tantalizes the taste buds. This article will delve into two popular recipes for collard greens with smoked turkey wings comparing their ingredients, methods, and unique characteristics. We will also provide additional insights and tips for crafting the perfect collard greens experience.
Recipe 1: Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Wings (Food Network)
This recipe courtesy of Tanya Holland features a straightforward approach with minimal ingredients. It focuses on the essential flavors of collard greens, onions, garlic, smoked turkey wings, chicken stock, and seasonings. The simplicity of the recipe allows the natural taste of the greens and the smokiness of the turkey to shine through.
Ingredients:
- 5 pounds collard greens, cleaned and stems removed
- 2 white onions, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 smoked turkey wing
- 2 cups chicken stock
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
Method:
- Sauté the onions and garlic in oil until softened.
- Add the turkey wing and chicken stock.
- Incorporate the chopped or torn greens.
- As the greens cook down, add water as needed.
- Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper.
- Cook until tender, approximately 45 minutes.
- Serve with vinegar on the side.
Recipe 2: Southern Collard Greens Recipe w/ Smoked Turkey Legs (Soul Food Style)
This recipe, from Divas Can Cook, embodies the spirit of Southern soul food. It emphasizes tradition, flavor complexity, and a touch of history. The recipe includes additional ingredients like olive oil, red pepper flakes, and optional seasonings, adding depth and richness to the dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of collard greens
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 fully-cooked, smoked turkey leg (can also use smoked turkey wings)
- Seasoning (optional): salt, pepper, vinegar, hot sauce
Method:
- Wash the collard greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
- Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until tender.
- Add the chicken broth, red pepper flakes, and the turkey leg.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Incorporate the collard greens and simmer covered for 45-60 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.
- Season to taste, if desired.
Comparison and Analysis:
Both recipes offer delicious variations on collard greens with smoked turkey wings. The Food Network recipe prioritizes simplicity and allows the natural flavors to shine. The Divas Can Cook recipe embraces Southern culinary traditions and adds complexity with additional ingredients and seasonings.
Additional Tips:
- For a richer flavor, consider using smoked turkey necks or drumsticks instead of wings.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.
- Adding a ham hock or a piece of bacon can enhance the smoky flavor.
- If the greens become too dry during cooking, add more water or chicken broth as needed.
- Serve the collard greens with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete Southern meal.
Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Food Network recipe or the soulfulness of the Divas Can Cook recipe, both offer a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy collard greens with smoked turkey wings. Experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to find your perfect combination and create a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul.
How to make southern collard greens:
Although this recipe for southern collard greens may seem complicated, you can be confident that it will make you appear to have been cooking them for ages. Naturally, collard greens consist of greens, smoked turkey, onions, garlic, vinegar, crushed red chili peppers, green peppers, optional jalapenos, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and a small amount of sugar. The sugar can be left out if you don’t need it, but it helps to balance the flavors.
HOW TO CUT COLLARD GREENS:
Arrange the collard greens in a single layer atop the chopping board. Fold the leaves up. Then, one at a time, chop them into two-inch squares.
Southern Collard Greens w/Smoked Turkey Legs | Collard Greens Recipe
FAQ
Are smoked turkey wings already cooked?
What is the best meat for collard greens?
What does adding vinegar to collard greens do?
How do you cook collard greens with smoked turkey?
Southern collard greens with smoked turkey simmered slowly with onions, garlic, red pepper, & vinegar leaving a delicious pot liquor Turn cooktop burner to highest settings. Place onion halved side down and burn to a char. Flip and char the other side Add 7-8 cups of water to a large stock pot.
What is good substitute for collard greens?
Collard greens are easily substituted by a variety of greens. My favorite leafy green is kale, and it makes a good substitute for collard greens. Kale has a similar taste and texture to collard greens making kale a great sub. Spinach can also be a good substitute for collard greens but keep in mind that it will cook more quickly than kale or collard greens. Another option is cabbage, typically cabbage is inexpensive, and it can be used in many ways, my favorite use is coleslaw, but it can also be used in cooked preparations too.
Can I use smoked turkey legs for collard greens?
I only use smoked turkey legs or wings for my southern style collard greens because they are really delicious and less in fat than ham and bacon but feel free to use your choice of smoky meat. You can use a mixture of collards and other greens if you choose to. You can also use bacon grease in place of oil.
Can I use a smoked turkey wing for Greens?
We now use either a smoked turkey leg or turkey wing. I grab these from a local grocer. You can also check with a local butcher in your area. You can of course still use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon to season the greens.