These southern-style Collard Greens are slow-simmered greens with bacon, onion, garlic, and a perfect blend of seasonings to give them that down-home, fresh off-the-farm Southern touch. This comfort side dish is one of our absolute favorites; you don’t have to be a Southern cook to master it.
Collard greens are a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal. Follow these easy steps to learn how to prepare and cook collard greens in no time! I love serving them with fried pork chops, red beans and rice, black-eyed peas, and cornbread, or smoked turkey with macaroni and cheese.
What are Collard Greens?
Collard greens are loose-leafed greens from the same family as mustard greens, turnip greens, broccoli, kale, and cabbage. Although my husband swears, they taste like green beans. I like them better than mustard greens and kale. They are a staple at most Southern meals and are delicious when slow-simmered with bacon or ham hocks. Fresh collard greens are at their peak from January to April.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Bacon: Preferably smoked. Bacon is easier to chop when frozen or partially frozen.
- Collard Greens: Look for greens in the refrigerated produce section of your local grocery store next to the kale and other greens. The freshest collard greens are in season from January through April. Look for dark green leaves that are not wilted and blemish-free.
- Vinegar: I prefer apple cider vinegar, but white vinegar works too.
- Seasoning: Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How to Cook Collard Greens
Start by cooking your bacon and onions until the bacon is crisp and the onions are soft. Then add your garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the greens and cook until they start to soften and wilt.
Stir in the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer for about 1 hour, letting the liquid cook down and the greens cook tender. Drain most excess chicken broth or use a slotted spoon to remove the greens. For best results, serve promptly with a side of hot sauce.
Preparation Tips
- Just like spinach, the greens cook down in volume. A whole lot of greens are cooked down to several cups. So add some of the greens to the pot, cook them down to wilted, and add some more. Repeat till everything fits in the pot and the greens are wilted down before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
- After cooking, save the pot liquor in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days to flavor soups and stews.
- Save a little bit of the crispy bacon to garnish the top.
- They are best served promptly. However, leftovers heat up well in the microwave at reduced power.
How to Prep and Trim Collard Greens
Either rinse the leaves under cool water or wash them in a large sink full of cool water to remove dirt and grit. Then dry well with paper towels.
Fold the leaf in half lengthwise, making it easy to remove the tough stem and thick ribs. Using a sharp knife, cut away the stem and ribs. Lay the leaves on each other in a somewhat orderly stack and cut to the desired size. Some stores sell prepackaged collard greens prepped, washed, and ready to go.
What to Serve With Them
Oh my goodness, the possibilities are endless and all amazingly delicious!
- Meat or fish: smothered chicken, fried catfish, chicken-fried chicken, or smothered pork chops
- Side dishes: Southern hoppin’ John, cheesy grits, sweet potato salad, or mashed sweet potatoes.
- Bread: sweet potato cornbread, yeast rolls, or Johnny cakes.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, add thoroughly cooled collard greens along with the pot liquor to a heavy-duty freezer bag. Flash freeze by laying flat on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once fully frozen, store the bags on their side for easy access. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat on low on the stovetop or microwave at reduced power.
More Vegetable Recipes
Collard Greens Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 lb collard greens washed trimmed, and cut
- 3 cups chicken broth enough to cover the greens
- 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pan over medium heat, brown the bacon. When the bacon is about halfway browned add the chopped onion. Cook until the bacon is browned and the onion is soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the collard greens and cook until wilted and slightly softened. Add the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and crushed red pepper. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes, letting the liquid cook down and the greens really soften. Drain most of the liquid or use a slotted spoon to remove it. Salt and pepper to taste. For best results, serve promptly.
Notes
Nutrition
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Cynthia Csaszar
1st time I made this recipe and it came out phenomenal! Thank you
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Cynthia!
Clarice
This is really good! We are trying to add more greens to our diet, and we followed this recipe, and it was delicious. My daughter loved it too. We only had white vinegar but we will try apple cider next time.
May
I’ve never tried collard greens before. Is it sour to taste bec of the vinegar? The bacon bits make it interesting to try. I’m a veggie girl and also a bacon girl, so the combo is promising.
Beth Pierce
I don’t find them sour. I find them absolutely delicious! Enjoy!
Jerry
What a warming recipe. The slow-simmered collard greens with bacon, garlic, and a touch of vinegar turned my simple dinner into a home-style feast. Thanks for the great comfort food recipe.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Jerry!