Favorite family recipe for collard greens made WITHOUT chicken broth and smoked meat. It’s healthier but don’t expect to have to sacrifice taste!
Cook time: PT80M
Total time: PT80M
Rating
4.68 stars (182 reviews)
Ingredients
1/2 small yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2-3 cups vegetable broth (I only used 2 cups)
1 teaspoon applewood smoked salt (or any kind of smoked salt)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 lbs collard greens
black pepper
hot sauce
Steps
Coat a large deep skillet or pot with vegetable oil.
Saute onions until almost tender over medium heat and then add in garlic.
Cook until onion and garlic are fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in vegetable broth.
Season broth with smoked salt and red pepper flakes.
Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Make sure it's to your liking because this is how your greens will taste.
Bring to a simmer and reduce heat.
Add in the greens. Green will wilt down as they cook.
Simmer for 1 hr to 1 hr 30 mins. Do not boil. Add more vegetable broth if needed. May need more or less time so be sure to check them after 30-45 minutes. When done, greens will be dark green, tender and will not have a raw taste.
Add in more smoked salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and hot sauce, if desired. ( I always do!)
Enjoy!
Add hot sauce or vinegar if desired.
Reviews
Dia on 2025-04-21 (5 stars): I have been cooking collards with Turkey Wings, ham hocks, and turkey necks for years. Until I had none in the freezer. I decided to try this vegan recipe, and by far these were the best collards that I have ever made. They turned out amazing. Full of flavor, and the tenderness was perfect. I have always pressure-cooked my collards, but they cooked so much better by simmering. Also, I did not have smoked salt, so I used smoked paprika, and that did the job! Thank you.
Liam on 2025-04-06 (5 stars): So good! I am southern and love the food that I grew up with, but now I'm vegetarian. Thank you for sharing this recipe so I don't have to miss out on the great flavor of some good greens! I didn't have smoked salt so used regular salt and a small splash of liquid smoke, and it still came out great. I had this with some vegan black eyed peas and cornbread, and it tastes like home:)
cTay on 2025-01-02 (5 stars): So yummy! The smoked salt addition was awesome and the balance of flavors was delicious. I love collard greens and these were the best yet... and no meat!
jennifer gulbin on 2024-10-31 (5 stars): I have been trying to make greens more frequently with our breakfast of scrambled tofu and roasted potatoes. This time I bought collard greens, not realizing they take waaay longer to cook than the others. I had extra time this AM, so I used your simple and delicious recipe. It came out perfect! I added a little smoked paprika, but everything else was the same. SO good and savory. Thank you!
Sandra Wilson on 2024-09-17 (5 stars): Forgot my stars. This a 6 star recipe!!!
Dr. J on 2024-07-14 (5 stars): This was very, very good! This recipe proves once again that you don't need pork to give Southern food that beloved rich, smoky flavor. I'll definitely be making this again and again. My collards only took about an hour to cook, BTW.
Donna Crawford on 2024-04-17 (5 stars): Quite perfect! I, also, used smoked paprika in place of salt . Otherwise I went by your recipe. I could eat them every day!
I recently had a heart attack and have to buckle down on a healthy diet. Your Vegan Southern Collards will be a weekly TREAT for me!
Thanks for the perfect recipe!
Litarider on 2024-02-18 (5 stars): Love this recipe so much. I’ve been using it for four or five years and my expression of gratitude is overdue.
Francesl Brown on 2024-01-29 (5 stars): This is the first time I cooked greens without smoked turkey and I will use this recipe from this point on. The greens are flavourful and healthy.
Michelle M on 2024-01-07 (5 stars): I am so happy to have found your delicious recipe. These were sooo good!! I'm a vegan newbie and I didn't miss the smoked turkey at all. The ancestors are proud! Thank you, thank you for providing this recipe.
Pam on 2023-10-12 (5 stars): Oh my goodness. How is there NOT a ham hock involved in this?! Absolutely delicious and just what I have been searching for! Thank you!!
Carma Lajean on 2023-08-19 (5 stars): OMG! These will be on our Thanksgiving table. Found the salt on Amazon. Thank you, thank you!
OhSoYum.org on 2023-08-19 (5 stars): Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I purchased collards for wraps, and had significantly more than I needed. With a few modifications (whiskey barrel smoked black pepper, etc.) was a great way to use them up. Thanks again!
