Slow-cooked greens seasoned with fatback deliver rich, smoky flavor in a traditional Southern family side dish. This healthy, vitamin-rich preparation is a soul food staple that pairs perfectly with cornbread.
Rinse and thoroughly clean the collard greens, removing thick stems and cutting leaves into bite-sized pieces.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the fatback slices and cook for 6–8 minutes until they render fat and turn golden and crisp, stirring occasionally.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the fatback, sautéing over medium-low heat until the onion is soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
Pile in the prepared greens, turning with tongs. Pour in water, then stir in apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, partially cover, and slow-cook for 60–75 minutes. Stir occasionally, ensuring the greens are tender but not mushy.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Serve hot with crispy pieces of fatback on top for extra flavor.