Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot) adds the taste of the South to your holiday table, with tender greens seasoned with smoked turkey.
Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot)
By Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime
Jump to Recipe
Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot) is my recipe of the day. I decided to post this with Holiday Side dish week this year.
Print Recipe
I hadn’t posted an Instant Pot greens recipe yet, although I had posted one for Slow Cooker Collard Greens. Greens are a traditional Southern side dish for one of the vegetables you might serve.
Cooking greens in your Instant Pot gets them very tender, the same as my crockpot greens are. I don’t care for tough greens myself so insist they be nicely done.
As part of the seasonings I have used a smoked turkey wing. I will buy turkeys at a good price and smoke those myself (I have a pellet smoker). Then I’ll generally use the smoked breast meat for sandwiches and freeze the other parts for various things.
Nice thing about this recipe is that you can drop the turkey wing in there frozen solid, thaw it out and create a nice stock in about half an hour. From there, depressurize, add your collards and the seasonings and finish up in just thirty minutes.
What to Serve with Greens
Besides collards, some great things to serve southern style would be a pan of cornbread or oyster dressing. I also like something like my tamalitos (recipe below) or perhaps yellow squash casserole. Of course, smoked or fried turkey is always great.
There are so many good things you can serve. Just don’t forget to have some gravy at the ready. My Mom forget to make gravy one time and the place was in an uproar. I did my daughterly duty by heading in to the kitchen to get a pan ready in minutes. I can always be counted on for gravy.
What is your holiday specialty? I am good at desserts but generally preside over the main dish and sides now that my Mom is passed. In fact, I don’t even mind cooking and baking everything. I enjoy cooking. And eating. (laughs)
Holiday Side Dish Week
Here’s more Side Dish Recipes:
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash from Devour Dinner
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Black Eyed Pea Casserole from Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Bourbon Pecan Sweet Potatoes from Cookaholic Wife
- Brussels Sprouts with Smoked Almonds and Manchego Cheese from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cauliflower au Gratin from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs from Blogghetti
- Chive Buttered Carrots from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Hassleback Potatoes from Jen Around the World
- Hearts of Palm Salad from Art of Natural Living
- Loaded Green Bean Casserole from Sweet Beginnings
- Potatoes and Green Beans/Aloo Beans Curry from Magical Ingredients
- Potatoes Au Gratin from An Affair from the Heart
- Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot) from Palatable Pastime
- Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecans from Kate’s Recipe Box
Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot)
You Might Also Like:
Old-Fashioned Bread and Celery Dressing or Stuffing
Traditional moist dressing, baked outside of the bird. I make this when I am cooking a turkey breast without the cavity.
Sweet Corn Cake (Tamalitos)
Sweet corn cake, or also called tamalitos has the texture of spoon bread, and is like the version served at Mexican restaurants.
Cranberry Glazed Carrots
Tender steamed carrots with a sweet and savory cranberry glaze makes a perfect easy side dish.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Fresh Green Bean Casserole is like the classic recipe which uses canned beans and soup but made even better from scratch.
Whole Berry Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
Whole Berry Maple-Bourbon Cranberry Sauce is deliciously easy! Bourbon mellows the bite of the berries for a smooth, sweet, flavorful sauce.
Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot)

Southern Collard Greens (Instant Pot)
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 smoked turkey wing
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound fresh collard greens (thick stems cut out)
- 1 large onion (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon powdered chicken bouillon
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place turkey wing on the rack in the Instant Pot and add water. Cook on manual high 30 minutes (if turkey wing was frozen solid) or 15 minutes (if turkey wing was thawed) with the vent closed. Use quick release.
- Remove turkey wing and rack.
- Stack collard leaves and roll; slice into 1-inch sections while rolled. Don't need to unroll.
- Whisk the bouillon, garlic, black pepper, red pepper flakes and vinegar into the water.
- Add onions and turkey wing.
- Top with collards pressing down to fit.
- Cook on manual/high with the vent sealed for 30 minutes. Use quick release.
- Remove bones from wing and chop meat, adding back to the greens.
Notes
Nutrition
Don’t Forget to Pin & Save the Recipe!
Join my recipe group on Facebook for more recipes from blogger friends around the world!
I like the use of the turkey wing in there instead of ham. So good!