A southern-inspired side dish that will impress your family or a crowd. Whip up this easy Instant Pot collard greens with ham and bacon in every single bite. Collard greens never tasted so good.
The bacon and the ham joined together in this collards recipe really allows the flavor to burst. Serve up this side for a holiday gathering or even a weeknight side.
You will find hundreds of ways to cook up collard greens, but these pressure cooker collard greens are my absolute favorite.
These would be amazing with Ranchero Beans, Instant Pot boneless pork chops, and Instant Pot mashed red potatoes. Meal plan, done.

Table of contents
- Ingredients for Instant Pot Collard Greens
- How to Make Collard Greens in Instant Pot
- How do I get the bitterness out of collard greens?
- How long does it take to steam collard greens?
- Can you overcook collard greens?
- Do you need to soak collard greens?
- Is Kale and collard greens the same thing?
- More Pressure Cooker Recipes To Try

Ingredients for Instant Pot Collard Greens
- Ham
- Bacon
- Collard Greens
- Onion
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Chicken Broth
- Brown Sugar
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Salt And Pepper
Supplies
How to Make Collard Greens in Instant Pot
Turn the saute feature on the Instant Pot, and once hot toss in your diced bacon, ham, and onions. Cook for 5-6 minutes.
When done with saute turn off and pour chicken stock in and deglaze the pot.
Toss in the remaining ingredients and the pressure cooker followed by 5 minutes of a natural release of pressure.
Open, stir and serve this delicious soul food recipe!

How do I get the bitterness out of collard greens?
Salt and even lemon juice can help to remove the bitterness from the greens. As you will see in this recipe I used salt. Now if it is still bitter feel free to add some lemon juice to remove any leftover bitterness.
How long does it take to steam collard greens?
Steaming collard greens takes around 5-10 minutes to do. For this Instant pot recipe you will see I cook it for 5 minutes followed by 5 minute natural release.
Can you overcook collard greens?
You will find that collard greens are one item that are very forgiving. It is almost impossible to overcook your greens.
If you want your green a bit more tender, just flip the saute function on and let your greens simmer a bit longer to fit the texture you prefer.
Do you need to soak collard greens?
It is recommended for you to rinse your collard greens really well. The first soak I recommend soaking in vinegar for 5 minutes, then rinse well with cold water. Then do 2 more soaks for 5-minutes each in cold water.
You will find this helps remove any debris or grit on your leaves. Then prep the leaves as you would.
Is Kale and collard greens the same thing?
The two are in the same family, but you will find collards offer a lower carb and higher fiber than kale. Kale on the other hand contains more iron than greens. Both are delicious and great to incorporate into your diet.
More Pressure Cooker Recipes To Try
Instant Pot Collard Greens

Instant Pot Collard Greens are a classic southern side dish you won’t want to miss. The flavor is amazing!
Ingredients
Supplies used to make the best Collard Greens
- Instant Pot DUO
- Non-Stick Inner Cooking Pot
- Tempered Glass Lid
- Wooden Spoon
- Spoon Rest
- Kitchen Tongs with Silicone Tip
- Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
Collard Greens
Instructions
- Prepare the electric pressure cooker by setting the "saute" function.
- When the pressure cooker reads “hot,” add the bacon, ham, and onion.
- Cook, stirring often, for 5 to 6 minutes or until the onion is softened.
- Deglaze the bottom of the electric pressure cooker pot by adding the chicken broth and scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Add the vinegar, brown sugar, and seasonings to the meat and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Top the meat broth with the collard greens. Pack in tightly to fit. (If using a smaller electric pressure cooker, allow the collards to cook uncovered on the saute function until all of the collard greens fit.)
- Cover the electric pressure cooker, setting the valve to sealing, and program on the "manual" or “pressure cook” function for 6 minutes.
- When the cook cycle is complete, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes before using a quick release to allow the remaining pressure to escape.
- Remove the lid and stir the contents.
Notes
This recipe uses an 8-quart electric pressure cooker.
FAQs
- Can a dog have Collard Greens? It is well known that Collard Greens are an excellent source of vitamins for humans, however, its effect is not as well studied in dogs. What is known is that Collards contain components that in the long term and in large quantities could harm your pet's health. However, you can try giving it a piece of Greens and monitor its reaction for 24 hours to see if it causes any stomach upset or not. Of course, do not include any of the other ingredients in this recipe, as most seasonings, such as garlic and onion, are harmful to your dog.
- Can a cat have Collard Greens? This answer depends on your cat and how he reacts to cabbage, as there are few studies on its effects on the health of cats. You must remember that your cat is a carnivore by nature and if you want to include vegetables and greens in its diet, they cannot reach more than 10% of its total food. On the other hand, it is advisable to offer the greens well washed and cooked. Remember to give this supplement without added salt or seasonings, since there are several ingredients that could poison your cat, among these are garlic and onion.
Recommended Products
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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, Sterilizer, and Warmer, 6 Quart, 14 One-Touch Programs
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Instant Pot Ceramic Non Stick Interior Coated Inner Cooking Pot 8 Quart
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Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid, 10" Stainless Steel (8 Qt/ 8L model)
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Wooden Spoons for Cooking,Nonstick Kitchen Utensil Set,Wooden Spoons Cooking Utensil Set Non Scratch Natural Teak Wooden Utensils for Cooking(Teak 8 Pack)
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Modern Silicone Spoon Rest | Kitchen Utensil Holder | Quality Material | BPA Free | Counter Spatula Holder | Stovetop Spoon Rest (Set of 3)
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Kaluns Kitchen Tongs for Cooking, Non Stick Silicone Tip Stainless Steel Tongs, Set of Four 7,9, and 12 Inch Tong Plus Silicone Spatula Non-stick, Heat Resistant Serving Utensils
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Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder Set (Pack of 2 Mills) - Complimentary Mill Rest | Bright Light | Adjustable Coarseness |
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 63mgSodium 1249mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 5gProtein 22g