Instant Pot Collard Greens

Collard greens are a nutritious and flavorful leafy green vegetable that are often associated with Southern cuisine in the United States. They have a robust, slightly bitter flavor and a hearty texture, making them a popular ingredient in a variety of dishes. Collard greens are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to any diet. In this recipe, we'll explore a simple and delicious way to prepare collard greens, perfect as a side dish to complement any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of collard greens (about 1-1.5 pounds), washed and chopped
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped (optional, for flavor)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for extra kick)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Collard Greens

To start, give the collard greens a good wash in cold water to get rid of any dirt or debris.

Trim off the tough stems by folding each leaf in half lengthwise and cutting along the stem. After that, pile the leaves and cut them into little pieces.


Step 2: Prepare Ingredients:

If you're using bacon for flavor, chop it into small pieces. Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Gather the rest of the ingredients: olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (if using), and hot sauce (if using).


Step 3:Preheat the Instant Pot:

Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Saute" function. Let it heat up.

Step 4: Saute the Bacon

If you're using bacon, add the chopped pieces to the Instant Pot and cook until they become crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.

Step 5: Saute Onion and Garlic:

To the Instant Pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Saute for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and become fragrant.

Step 6: Add Spices:

Pour in the olive oil and sprinkle in the smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together with the onions and garlic.

Step 7: Add Collard Greens:

Add the chopped collard greens to the pot, stirring to coat them in the spices and onion mixture.

Step 8: Pour in Liquid:

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce (if using). Stir everything together to combine the flavors.

Step 9: Pressure Cook:

Close the Instant Pot lid securely and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" setting (depending on your Instant Pot model) and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.

Step 10: Natural Pressure Release:

Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 5 minutes. Then carefully switch the valve to the "Venting" position to release any remaining pressure.

Step 11:Final Touches:

Open the Instant Pot lid and give the collard greens a stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you're using brown sugar for sweetness, add it now and stir until dissolved.

Step 12: Serve:

Serve the collard greens hot, either as a side dish or with your favorite main course. If you cooked bacon earlier, sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces on top before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Instant Pot collard greens!