Name: Unbelievable Collard Green Soup Recipe in Under 1 Hour
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 Yellow onion chopped; 4 cloves Garlic chopped; 1 pound Smoked turkey wings; 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 6 cups Low-sodium Chicken broth; 1 cup Dry black-eyed peas rinsed; 15 ounce Fire-roasted tomatoes undrained; 1 large Bunch of Collard greens leaves only, thinly sliced (8 cups); 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar; Salt and pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

There’s just something about a big bowl of comfort food, isn’t there? Especially when it’s good for you too! This collard green soup is exactly that – hearty, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. It’s basically a hug in a bowl!

Growing up, my grandma always had a pot of something simmering on the stove. More often than not, it was collard greens, sometimes with ham hocks, sometimes with just a little bit of smoked turkey. She had a way of making the simplest ingredients taste like a million bucks. This collard green soup recipe is my take on her classic, but with a few little tweaks to make it even better (shhh, don’t tell her!).

I’ve been cooking Southern food for as long as I can remember, and trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two about getting the most flavor out of simple ingredients. This collard green soup is proof! It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal but special enough to serve to company. Get ready to dive in!

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Why You’ll Love This Collard Green Soup

Okay, seriously, you’re gonna LOVE this collard green soup! Why? Let me tell you:

It’s super easy to make – even on a busy weeknight!
It’s packed with good-for-you stuff.
The flavor? Oh. My. Goodness.
It won’t break the bank.
It’s awesome for meal prep. Make a big batch and you’re set!

Quick and Easy Collard Green Soup

I’m talking seriously simple here. Most of the time is just letting it simmer and do its thing! The actual hands-on time? Less than 20 minutes, easy!

Flavorful and Healthy Collard Green Soup

The smoky turkey with the savory greens and those little black-eyed peas? It’s a match made in heaven! Plus, you’re getting a mega-dose of vitamins and fiber. What’s not to love?

Ingredients for Collard Green Soup

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Nothing fancy here, just good, wholesome ingredients. I’ll break it down so it’s super clear – no guessing games, promise!

Essential Ingredients for Collard Green Soup

These are the superstars, the heart and soul! You’ll need a big bunch of collard greens, some smoked turkey wings (the smaller, the better!), and a cup of dry black-eyed peas.

Other Ingredients for Delicious Collard Green Soup

Now for the supporting cast! Grab some olive oil, a yellow onion, a few cloves of garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. We’re building flavor here!

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How to Prepare Collard Green Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, let’s get cooking! Don’t worry, this collard green soup recipe is super straightforward. I’ll walk you through it, nice and easy. Just follow along, and you’ll have a pot of deliciousness in no time!

Getting Started with Your Collard Green Soup

First, grab a big pot – like, a really big one! Drizzle in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and set it over medium heat. Then, toss in your chopped onion. Cook that until it’s nice and soft, about 4-5 minutes. Next, add your chopped garlic and stir for another minute. Mmm, that’s the good stuff!

Simmering the Collard Green Soup for Flavor

Now, add the smoked turkey wings, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, and rinsed black-eyed peas to the pot. Crank up the heat to medium-high and bring it to a simmer. Let it bubble away for a couple of minutes, then turn the heat down to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about an hour. That’s when the magic happens!

Adding the Greens and Finishing Your Collard Green Soup

Carefully take the smoked turkey wings out of the pot – they’ll be fall-apart tender! Shred the meat off the bone and set it aside. Now, add the fire-roasted tomatoes and thinly sliced collard greens to the pot. Let it simmer for another 20 minutes, until the greens are nice and tender. Finally, return the shredded turkey meat to the pot, stir in the apple cider vinegar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. And that’s it!

Tips for the Best Collard Green Soup

Want to take your collard green soup from good to *amazing*? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve! These little tips will make all the difference, trust me.

Choosing the Right Smoked Turkey for Collard Green Soup

Okay, this is important! Try to find smaller smoked turkey wings. They’ll cook faster and get super tender in that hour of simmering. Big ones might take longer, and ain’t nobody got time for that!

Black-Eyed Peas: Fresh vs. Canned in Collard Green Soup

I always use dried black-eyed peas for that authentic flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, canned works too! Just add them during the last 10 minutes of cooking, since they’re already cooked through.

Collard Green Soup Variations

Okay, so you’ve got the basic collard green soup down. Now what? Let’s get a little crazy! This recipe is super adaptable, so don’t be afraid to play around with it. Here are a couple of my favorite ways to mix things up.

Vegetarian Collard Green Soup Option

No turkey? No problem! Just swap it out for a smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke to get that same smoky flavor. You could even add some hearty mushrooms for extra oomph!

Spicy Collard Green Soup

Want to kick things up a notch? I feel you! Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes, a diced jalapeño, or even a splash of your favorite hot sauce. Go wild (but maybe taste as you go!).

Serving Suggestions for Collard Green Soup

Alright, you’ve got this amazing pot of collard green soup bubbling away… but what do you serve with it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! My personal fave? A big hunk of cornbread, still warm from the oven. But biscuits are awesome too! And if you’re feeling virtuous, a simple side salad does the trick. Honestly, this soup is so good, it’s amazing all by itself!

Storing and Reheating Your Collard Green Soup

So, you’ve got leftovers? Lucky you! This collard green soup tastes even BETTER the next day, if you can believe it. Just pop it in an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. When you’re ready to dig in again, simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s nice and bubbly. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Collard Green Soup

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked about my amazing collard green soup. Don’t be shy, ask away if you have more!

Can I freeze Collard Green Soup?

Absolutely! Collard green soup freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely, then pop it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep for a good couple of months! Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’re good to go.

How long does Collard Green Soup last in the fridge?

In the fridge, your collard green soup will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to keep it at its best. Honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house – it’s just too yummy!

Is Collard Green Soup healthy?

You bet it is! This collard green soup is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, thanks to those amazing collard greens and black-eyed peas. Plus, it’s relatively low in fat and calories. So go ahead, enjoy a big bowl guilt-free!

Nutritional Information for Collard Green Soup

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition info. Here’s the deal: keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates! It really depends on the exact brands and ingredients you use. I’m not a nutritionist, so don’t take this as gospel, okay?

Ready to Make Your Own Collard Green Soup?

So, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and make some collard green soup! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. And hey, share a pic on social media – I wanna see your creations!