Collards are quintessentially southern, but are becoming more popular! These Instant Pot collard greens are full of nutrition and flavor, and are so easy to prepare!
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Never would I ever think that I would say these words, but here I go…
I think Instant Pot collard greens are becoming one of my most favorite vegetables.
I mean, I LOVE collards.
Coming from a kid who never ate more than canned green beans and carrots (choked down), this statement is kind of a shocker.
Instant Pot Collard Greens– Delicious, Quick, & Easy!
Collards are just as healthy, if not more, as kale and other greens. They are an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients— one serving provides a significant amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.
(Tip: they are often less expensive when purchased in season too).
This means that there’s no shame in pairing these mega-nutritious greens with other amazing Southern foods like fried catfish or pork chops with gravy.
It just works.
Healthy or Healthy-ish?
I read an excellent article this week touting the benefits of practicing a “healthy-ish” eating lifestyle. This is how we have been trying to eat for years, because it just makes such good sense.
When I read their definition of healthy-ish, I wanted to stand up and cheer. (Basically because it means I don’t have to feel bad for fresh donuts once a month, or nights where we eat pork chops smothered in gravy).
Healthy-ish eating: “delicious, comforting home cooking that just happens to be kinda good for you.”
This is the kind of cooking and eating I emphasize here on the blog, too. Learn to cook more at home, with real ingredients, eating and enjoying foods you love. An approach to this kind of healthy eating is one that can last the long haul, and is one that meshes well with prioritizing family meals and hospitality.
“Instead we think about what we eat, and when and why we eat it. We indulge when the situation arises … and we try to eat smart other times.”
If you are trying to rethink your diet as you start the new year, consider this approach.
Balance and moderation.
More meals at home.
New and many vegetables.
What you need ::
An electric pressure cooker, like Instant Pot or MultiPot, makes quick work of cooking the collard greens. A process that takes an hour or more on the stovetop is much faster in the pressure cooker!
I do not typically add any kind of meat to our collards, though you could easily add bacon or saute another meat before adding the collards.
The recipe calls for chicken stock, which of course boosts the nutrition. Try using homemade chicken stock for extra flavor!

Instant Pot Collard Greens
Ingredients
- 1 bunch collards (about 4–5 large leaves)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 C chicken broth
- 1 C water
- kosher salt
- lemon slices for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the collards: Rinse and dry the collard greens. Slice down the stem on either side to separate the stem from each of the leaves. Set the stems to the side. Stack the leaves and roll into a tight log. Slice the log into strips, and then cut perpendicular to the slices to chop the collard greens into 1 inch pieces.
- Heat oil in Instant Pot turned on sauté. (Alternately, you can substitute bacon grease to sauté the onions). Add the diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic cloves, and cook for 30 more seconds. Add the chopped collards, broth, water, and 1 tsp kosher salt to the onions and garlic. Stir to combine.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release the pressure when the timer goes off. Return the Instant Pot to sauté for 2-3 more minutes to let the liquid reduce slightly.
- Serve with lemon slices, vinegar, or hot sauce.
Great recipe. Very easy to make & delicious. Thanks
★★★★★
Hi! If I’m doubling the amount I’d collards, should I double the broth?? Thanks!!
I cooked these for dinner tonight. My husband loves collards and I’ve never quite been able to master them in the stove top. I used your recipe and he loved them! He thought they were perfect which I will say they were delicious!
★★★★★
I really loved this recipe!! I doctored it a little because I’m a vegan. Instead of chicken broth and water I used 2 cups of vegetable broth and added pepper and 1 tbs of vegan butter for flavor. This was my first time cooking collard greens and I’m so happy with the results. Thank you for sharing this. 🤗
★★★★★