Easy Golden Corral Collard Greens Recipe

Golden Corral’s collard greens are famous for their deeply savory, smoky flavor and signature tender texture, a true Southern comfort staple that’s surprisingly easy to replicate at home. This simple recipe walks you through how to achieve that tender, flavorful, slow-simmered perfection so you can bring the taste of their renowned buffet right to your dinner table.

Golden Corral’s collard greens are legendary for good reason—they strike the perfect balance between deeply savory, smoky flavor and that signature fall-apart, tender texture, making them a must-have Southern side.

Forget tough or bitter greens; this simple recipe walks you through the traditional low-and-slow method, or an accelerated Instant Pot version, ensuring your pot likker is rich with seasoning from ingredients like smoked turkey, onions, garlic, and a touch of vinegar for tang.

This approachable recipe guarantees you can replicate that authentic, comforting taste of the famous buffet right in your own kitchen with minimal fuss.

If you love a great vegetable dish, some of my favorite Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes are  INSTANT POT GREEN BEANS, INSTANT POT BRUSSELS SPROUTS, INSTANT POT BROCCOLI, and NINJA FOODI OR INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI SQUASH.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Authentic Southern Flavor: You get the deeply smoky, savory, and tangy flavor that makes Golden Corral’s version a beloved comfort food, rivaling any restaurant’s offering.
• Incredibly Tender Texture: Following these steps ensures your collard greens are never tough or bitter; they cook down to that signature, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness everyone craves.
• Perfect “Pot Likker”: The resulting cooking liquid, or “pot likker,” is so rich and flavorful, you’ll want to soak up every last drop with cornbread—it’s the secret to the recipe’s success.
• Flexible Cooking Options: Whether you choose the traditional low-and-slow simmer for weekend cooking or the quick Instant Pot method, you can achieve fantastic results that fit your schedule.
• Healthy Comfort Food: Collard greens are packed with nutrients, meaning you can enjoy this classic Southern side guilt-free, adding a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins to your meal.

Golden Corral Collard Greens Ingredients

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté aromatics, building a flavorful base layer.
• Onions: Sautéed and softened, adding essential sweet, aromatic depth.
• Minced Garlic: Pungent aromatic that enhances all the other ingredients’ flavors.
• Collard Greens: Hearty leaves, washed well, chopped into manageable ribbons.
• Water or Vegetable Stock: Creates the essential liquid foundation, or “pot likker.”
• Garlic Powder: Quick way to boost the savory garlic flavor.
• Onion Powder: Provides a concentrated, sweet onion flavor boost easily.
• Crumbled Bacon: Adds a rich, salty, and crucial smoky pork flavor.

How To Make Golden Corral Collard Greens

Step One: Start by adding the olive oil into the Instant Pot, and then press the saute button. Give it 30 seconds to let the olive oil heat up, add the onions and garlic, and continue to saute’ until the onions are softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step Two: Then add the collard greens and the water, and add the lid, set the manual high pressure for 20 minutes, letting it naturally release. Then strain the collard greens, and mix in the spices to add some crumbled bacon.

Easy Golden Corral Collard Greens Recipe Tips

• Wash the Greens Thoroughly: Before cooking, make sure to thoroughly wash your collard greens to remove any dirt or grit.
• Remove Stems and Chop: The stems can be tough and stringy, so it’s best to remove them. You can do this by folding the leaf in half lengthwise and cutting along the stem. Then, chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
• Use a Flavorful Liquid: When cooking collard greens, using chicken broth, vegetable broth, or any other flavorful liquid instead of just water can significantly enhance the taste.
• Add a Smoky Flavor: Traditional collard green recipes often include ham hock for a smoky flavor. If you want a similar flavor profile but prefer a vegetarian version, add a bit of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
• Saute First: Saute onions, garlic, and any other aromatics in the Instant Pot before adding your greens. This will add depth and richness to the flavor of your collard greens.
• Natural Pressure Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally after the collard greens cook. This helps to soften the greens further and infuse them with flavor.
• Adjust Cooking Time for Desired Texture: If you prefer your collard greens to be more tender, you can increase the cooking time a bit. Most recipes recommend around 10-15 minutes, but you can adjust according to your preference.
• Season to Taste: After cooking, don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might need more salt, pepper, or a dash of vinegar for some tanginess.

Storing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover collard greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they will maintain their best quality and flavor for up to 3 to 4 days. If you wish to keep them longer, the greens can be frozen for up to 3 months, ensuring you also include plenty of the cooking liquid (“pot likker”) to prevent them from drying out.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat is gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep them moist and prevent scorching. Alternatively, you can use the microwave, loosely covered, heating in short 1-minute bursts until they are piping hot.

Easy Golden Corral Collard Greens Recipe Faqs

• ⏱️ Why use the Instant Pot instead of the stovetop? The Instant Pot drastically reduces the cooking time required to achieve that signature fall-apart, tender texture, cutting the cook time from hours to around 20–30 minutes under high pressure. This accelerated process allows the savory, smoky flavors to fully infuse the greens much faster than traditional simmering.
• ❓ How much liquid do I need in the Instant Pot? You need significantly less liquid than the stovetop method—typically just 1 to 2 cups of broth or water is sufficient. The Instant Pot traps the steam, preventing evaporation and allowing the pressure to build, which keeps the greens moist and creates the perfect amount of concentrated “pot likker.”
• 🥬 Do I need to pack the collard greens into the pot? Yes, greens take up a lot of space! You should firmly pack the chopped greens into the Instant Pot insert. They will wilt down considerably once the pot starts to heat up, but make sure you do not exceed the max fill line (usually the 2/3 line) when adding the liquid and other ingredients.
• 💨 Should I use Natural Pressure Release (NPR) or Quick Release (QR)? A Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 10-15 minutes, followed by a quick release of any remaining pressure, is generally recommended. This brief resting period prevents the tender greens from tearing up violently during a fast release and allows the fibers to relax, resulting in a more tender final product.

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