I love cooking collard greens low and slow. Slow-Cooker Collard Greens are made with classic southern flavors. Tangy vinegar brightens the earthiness of the collards, and crushed red pepper adds the perfect amount of heat. The perfect side for a relaxed weekend dinner!

As a Southern girl, collard greens have always been a part of my diet.
I have early memories of cooking collards we had just picked from my father's garden.
I still enjoy collard greens, which these days I grow them in my Tower Garden.
Cooking collards in the slow cooker is one of my favorite ways to make them.
Cooking them low and slow is the perfect way to get perfectly tender collards without a hint of the bitterness that can come with overcooking them.
Plus, I love not to have to babysit them the way I would if I prepared them on the stovetop.
This recipe is a fabulous way to add more green to your diet.
Ingredients for Making Crockpot Collard Greens
Get My Full Step By Step Walk Through on my Slow Cooker Collard Greens Story.
- Bacon: Use your favorite type of bacon - turkey, pork, or beef. The higher fat will add more flavor, but if you are watching your fat intake, turkey bacon works fine. (Though to may need to add a little olive oil to cook the onion and garlic.)
- Onion: I like a yellow onion in this recipe, but white would work as well.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, garlic powder works as well.
- Broth: I like homemade broth (I use this Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth recipe), but purchased broth works too.
- Collard Greens: If you are short on time, you can often find pre-shredded and washed collard greens.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Red wine vinegar could be used as a substitute.
- Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning, celery seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper add a depth of flavor.
- Sweetener: It is a small amount that really brings out all of the other flavors. You can use whatever sweetener you like - honey, maple syrup, sugar, or brown sugar all work.
Buying Collard Greens
- Look for collard bunches that have sturdy vibrant leaves and stiff stems.
Variations
- For Vegetarian and Vegan Slow Cooker Collard Greens, omit the bacon. Prepare the recipe as directed and add in 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika and 1 teaspoon liquid smoke.
- Add a ham hock for even more flavor.
- For an extra touch of sweetness, increase the honey to 2 tablespoons.
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Crockpot Collards are the way to go if you are serious about preserving the nutritional value of your greens. Too high of heat can cause a loss in nutrients.
Collard greens are one of the best dietary sources of vitamin K, which plays an essential role in strengthening bones and lowering inflammation.
One study found that those who had the lowest levels of vitamin K intake from food had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes.
It is also rich in eye-protecting nutrients such as lutein, which can help protect your eyes from the blue light given off by your computer screen.
Tools Needed to Make Crock Pot Greens
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- Slow Cooker
- Sharp Knife
- Skillet (if your crockpot does not have a saute' function)
Storage
You can store leftover cooked collard greens in the refrigerator for up to four days.
They may be frozen for up to three months. I like to freeze them in individual portioned containers.
How to Make Slow Cooker Collard Greens
First, start by gathering all of your ingredients.
Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray, and set to sauté. If your slow cooker doesn't have a saute function, use a skillet.
Cook the bacon for five minutes.
Add the onion and cook 8 more minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
Change the mode to slow cooker. Add chicken broth, collard greens, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay seasoning, celery seeds, honey, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and sea salt.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the greens are tender.
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Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Ingredients
- 8 ounces turkey bacon or bacon of choice, chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound collard greens washed, trimmed and chopped
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 teaspoon honey or sweetener of choice
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray and set to saute, Cook bacon for 5 minutes. Add onion and cook 8 more minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Alternatively, if your slow cooker does not have a saute function, use a skillet and follow the directions as written. Transfer to your slow cooker and proceed with the recipe.
- Change to slow cooker. Add chicken broth, collard greens, apple cider vinegar, Old Bay seasoning, celery seeds, honey, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper and sea salt.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Stacie
That looks delicious! I love collard greens. They are delicious, and they're so good for you. I can't wait to give this a try. Om nom nom.
Danielle
I have to make this! You know, I love greens, but I've never had collard greens. I can't wait to try these. They look delicious.
Bill Sweeney
I love collard greens! they're so flavorful and very good for you. I'll bookmark this recipe to make soon!
Sarah Bailey
It is amazing the things you can make in a slow cooker, I really should get more adventurous with mine. This sounds like a delicious healthy meal.
Leah
This looks really good! I've never had collard greens.
steph parrell
I am always looking for new slow cooker recipes! I dont use mine near as much as I could or would like too!
Ruth I.
The slow cooker sounds cool! I would love yummy and easy food with fewer dishes while preparing. lol! I would love to try your recipes!
Kathy
This recipe sounds delicious. I do love my greens, except I've never had collard greens before. I'm up for giving it a try.
Darlene Parisi-Dunne
Wendy, thanks for all you do. Your generosity radiates throughout.
sara
I have never made collard greens in the slow cooker! This is such a great idea and I will definitely be trying it.
Carol Cassara
I am so thankful for slow cookers! They make cooking so much easier for us all. And the flavor is really good in the dishes as well. At least that's what I think! This recipe's something that I'd love to try!
Lynndee
I love using my slow cooker but I've never tried preparing this recipe yet. I love collard greens so I will definitely give this a try soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Cherri Megasko
Collard greens are one of my absolute favorite foods, but can you believe I've never tried them in a slow cooker? I'm out of the country now, but you can bet that as soon as I get home I'm going to give this recipe a try.
Marielle Altenor
Oh, That looks soo good! I know that Collard Greens are popular in the USA, but I have never tasted them.