Collard Green and Ham Hock Gumbo

This hearty gumbo is packed with nutrient-dense collard greens and fiber-rich brown rice, offering a highly satisfying, low-fat meal that supports digestive health.

Ingredients

Calories next to each ingredient are for that ingredient across the whole recipe (4 servings), not per serving.

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil · 245 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 large onion, peeled and diced · 59 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped · 27 kcal in the whole recipe
• 3 celery stalks, chopped · 16 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 cloves garlic, minced · 8 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme · 3 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes · 3 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano · 1 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour · 58 kcal in the whole recipe
• 4 cups water
• 6 cups chopped collard greens · 96 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 ham hocks (about 390g edible meat) · 429 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 cups cooked brown rice · 474 kcal in the whole recipe

Method

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and oregano, and cook until golden and soft, about 20 minutes.

   

2. Sprinkle the whole wheat flour over the vegetables a little at a time, stirring constantly, and cook for about 10 minutes until the flour turns slightly brown.

   

3. Slowly pour in the water while stirring constantly to prevent lumps, then add the ham hocks. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low.

   

4. Stir in the chopped collard greens, cover, and simmer until the greens are tender, about 45 minutes. Remove the ham hocks, shred the edible meat, discard the bones, and stir the meat back into the gumbo.

   

5. Divide the warm cooked brown rice among four shallow bowls and ladle the rich collard green gumbo over the top.

   

Adapted from a USDA MyPlate Kitchen recipe (public domain). Portions, macros, diet checks and step photos by Besly.