If you’re a true Southerner, then you know exactly what potlikker is. It’s the delicious, vitamin-rich broth that’s left over when cooking greens – be they collards, turnip greens, kale, etc. In my family, it was often saved and we would crumble cornbread in it – some eating it for lunch the next day. As I said, it is crazy delicious, but also full of vitamins and minerals being that most of them cook out of the greens. In fact, many old-school doctors used to (some still do) suggest drinking potlikker for a variety of ailments but especially anemia being that the broth is rich in iron. It’s also chock-full of vitamins K and C, though they vary depending on which green it is that you’re cooking. Regardless, it’s good stuff and it’s good for you.
Now, I’ll admit that this isn’t TRUE potlikker soup because it doesn’t use the discarded broth from cooking greens. BUT, it has the same great flavor, is ready in half the time, and keeps the greens in it rather than just having the leftover broth. It’s a hearty and filling soup and one that you can customize with your own favorite beans, vegetables, and greens. I used collards (they are my personal favorites), black-eyed peas, and tomatoes, but you could use nearly any green and any combination of beans or peas that you like. The recipe also calls for 1-pound of chopped ham. This can be ham steaks straight out of the refrigerated case at the grocery store (that’s what I used) or it can be leftover pieces from a large ham. You could even use ham hocks or jowl if you wanted to. It’s completely up to you. You’ll just want to be sure it’s smoked ham so that it gives the soup that smokey flavor.
Now, I’m going to go ahead and stop you before you try to tell me that it’s “pot liquor” instead of “potlikker.” See this letter to the editor, from then Lt. Governor of Georgia Zell Miller, printed in the New York Times in 1982 for reference. 🙂
Y’all enjoy!!
Potlikker Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound smoked ham, chopped (about 3 cups chopped)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth [2 (32-ounce) boxes]
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen chopped collard greens (or other green of your choice)
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ham and onion and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, cook about a minute more. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the frozen greens. Bring back up to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the rinsed peas and drained tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Mike says
That looks (and sounds) delicious!
I always thought it was “pot liquor” but if Zell Miller said otherwise, I’m apt to believe him. (one of my favorite politicians ever)
Stacey says
Thanks, Mike! 🙂
Gail says
Same here, Mike. Of course, it makes me think of the saying, “a rose by any other name, would still smell as sweet’!!! LOL!
Stacey says
🙂
Margy says
Reading this recipe made my mouth water.
Stacey says
I love to hear that!
Lori says
This reminds me the way my great-grandmother and my granny used to make this dish for family gatherings and reunions. I can still the remember smells and conversations and laughter while they were preparing this awesome dish. Thanks for posting this recipe.
Stacey says
Lori, I just love how food can connect us to our past like that!
Sharon says
I love learning new terms. I never heard of this before and look forward to making it tonight 🙂
Stacey says
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Natille says
I made this for my family last night and they loved it. I added a few noodles and used butter beans instead of black-eyed peas. This is wonderful, quick and easy. Thanks Stacey!
Stacey says
Sounds delicious! So glad they enjoyed it!
Leigh says
I am always looking for great tasting low carb recipes. I can’t wait to try this out. It looks delicious!!! Thanks!!!
Stacey says
Hope you enjoy it!!
Mary says
Words can’t describe how truly delicious this soup is..amazingly good! This is my go to recipe for all my greens, soup or as a side! Stacy, my husband thanks you for posting this recipe, and if my hubby is happy than I’m happy. He was very happy!!! Thanks.
Stacey says
Well I’m happy that y’all are happy so that makes a bunch of happy people! LOL! I’m just thrilled y’all have enjoyed it so much!!
Susan says
Perfect for the weather we’re having in South Carolina tonight. My family gave it ‘thumbs-up’!
Elaine says
I thought my husband and I would be eating this alone. Come to find out, the kids loved it. I will have to double it. I was lucky to get a taste. Next time, I am going to cook it with Tasso instead of the ham. I think it will be great.
Stacey says
Sounds like a delicious addition! So glad y’all enjoyed it!
Linda McCollum says
This recipe looks awesome. I plan to try it for our church’s Lenten Wednesday Soup Suppers (since my husband won’t eat greens. I grew up eating collard greens, mustard greens or turnip greens at least once a week. Thanks for posting the recipe. I found you on Facebook with your Red Beans and Rice recipe. I plan to order your cookbook, too.
diane says
I love Potlikker Soup! I have made the turnip version using only canned veggies and smoked sausage several times. Anxious to try this one with ham and frozen greens, it’s gotta be just as good! And, hot cornbread is a definite must with this soup! Southern eatin’ at its best!!
Stacey says
Yes, hot cornbread IS a must!
Connie Quintana says
My Mama called it potlikker too but she also called the juice in which she cooked lima beans, butter beans, or any kind of beans potlikker. My Southern California husband has learned to LOVE any kind of greens and beans and he knows now what potlikker is.
Stacey says
Glad to know you’ve got him straight! 🙂 LOL
Amy says
I made this for dinner tonight. It is amazingly delicious. I substituted lentils for the black eyed peas though. We currently live in Germany so frozen greens are my only option. I was so happy to see a recipe that called for frozen instead of fresh.
Stacey says
Sounds delicious! SO glad y’all enjoyed it, Amy!
Meredith says
I just made this and it was absolutely fantastic! I could eat it every day! Thank you for an easy, wonderful recipe! 🙂
Stacey says
You are so welcome! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Nicoal says
Shared on FB. Love your recipes! 🙂
Stacey says
Thanks!!
Sparks says
Lol at the letter to the NYT. The link I followed spelled it Potlickker which was a variation I hadn’t seen before. Po-tay-to, pa-tah-to.
Stacey says
🙂
Gerri says
I made this last night with field peas rather than black eyed peas and used rotel tomatoes instead of diced canned tomatoes.. and served it over white rice.. it was good.. but tonight it tasted even better… leftover foods tend to taste better the next day..
Stacey says
Awesome! Yep, this is one of those things that is even better leftover. 🙂
jojo says
Once again ad nauseam………, ad infinitum must we be witness to yet another pretender concocting some new form (read: abortion) of a classic with ingredient that has NO place in said classic? Seriously.
Oh….., look at me everyone, here’s my “creation” or take on a classic that I’m going to screw with and foist upon you, you’ll love it……….
Hey, you forgot to add a healthy amount of smoked possum, curry, dill, soy “milk”, fish sauce, peanut butter, rhubarb, star anise, hoisin sauce, Chartreuse, ketchup, quinoa and a shot of organic, fair trade, sustainable, non GMO, free range espresso from Saskatchewan…………………
Stacey says
Whew! So glad you got that out! Enlightening!
Noreen says
How funny! The soup looks scrumptious. I would have guessed it would be spelled pot licker (as in lick the pot, cause it’s so good – like lick the bowl the cake batter was in).
Stacey says
Ha! These colloquial words are so fun!
Amy Y. says
I’m sorry if someone asked this and I missed it… but what is the rest of the nutritional info. I’m a T2 and just need to know the carbs and fiber. 🙂 Thank you!
Stacey says
Hey Amy! I don’t calculate that info but you should be bale to do that pretty easily by googling “nutrition calculator.”
Donna Scott says
I make mine with turnip greens and white beans.
Stacey says
Yum!
Angela says
Made this delicious soup with leftovers.
Leftover greens from Easter, found fresh spinach in my crisper, had fresh pot of beans from day before, can of rotel, leftover oxtails.. Was smack yourself delicious.. Thank you!
Stacey says
Sounds amazing!!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Deborah Thompson says
Stacey, I can’t WAIT to try this! Wish I’d seen it earlier I -it’s like New Years Day Dinner in a pot! Just the name brings back some of my fondest memories growing up, with all the women in the kitchen–talking about this dish or that dish will render the best potlikker. <3
Stacey says
Ha! Hope it turns out great for you!!
Melinda says
I have some leftover greens that I will be using. It appears this recipe could be frozen. What say you? As it is just myself and my husband, I’m always looking for ways to use up leftovers AND freeze for another meal.
Stacey says
Those should be perfect. Yes, this should freeze just fine.