The Best Slow Cooker Collard Greens – Instant Pot Magic!

I’m finally sharing my go-to collard green recipe, and trust me—it’s a game-changer. Everyone who tries them raves about how flavorful and tender they are. Plus, they’re super low-carb and totally keto-friendly!

The secret? Bacon grease. Yep, I always have a stash of it because it makes everything better! It adds so much depth to the greens that you’ll never want to make them any other way.

A Few Pro Tips:

• Choose your meat wisely – I love using Bradley’s Sausage, but ham, bacon, or even little smokies work. Just use what you have!
• Don’t skimp on the bacon grease – It’s the key to that rich, smoky flavor.
• Use bone broth or chicken stock – It adds extra nutrients and makes the greens taste amazing.
• Cook time is flexible – 30 minutes is usually enough, but if you like them extra tender, let them go another few hours. I usually cook them up to 8 hours!

The Best Slow Cooker Collard Greens – Instant Pot Magic

Author: Sheri

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Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 5 hours hrs

These are smoky, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect as a side dish or a full meal if you’re keeping it low-carb. Make them once, and you’ll never go back to the stovetop method again!

Servings 8

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 tbsp bacon grease
• ▢ 1 pound sausage or ham, bacon, or little smokies, chopped
• ▢ 1 small onion diced
• ▢ 1 large bunch of collard greens cleaned and chopped
• ▢ 3 cups chicken stock or bone broth
• ▢ 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
• ▢ Dash of pepper sauce – optional

Equipment

• ▢
  Instant Pot

Method

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1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the bacon grease.
2. Cook the sausage (or chosen meat) with the diced onion until the onions are soft and the meat is browned.
3. Add the collard greens and pour in enough chicken stock or bone broth to cover them. Also add vinegar and sugar.
4. Lock the lid, set to Manual for 30 minutes, and let it cook if you need them in a hurry. If not, set it to slow cook and let them go several hours.
5. If quick cooking, allow a natural release, then check for tenderness. If they need more time, cook for another 10 minutes. If slow cooking, if they aren't done, you can add another 10-20 minutes and pressure cook them to speed it up!
6. Season to taste, serve hot, and enjoy—you just made the best collard greens ever!

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