Southern Collard Greens Recipe (How to Cook Collard Greens)
User Reviews
5
Southern Collard Greens Recipe (How to Cook Collard Greens)
Description
This recipe uses a large bunch of collard greens trimmed and sliced into ribbons, combined with chopped smoked bacon and ham for a smoky meat base. Along with chopped onion, garlic, and optional jalapenos for mild heat, the ingredients are sautéed before adding a generous amount of chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
The pot is covered and simmered for 1 to 2 hours until the greens reach the desired tenderness. Longer cooking (up to 3 hours) produces very soft greens. The vinegar and Worcestershire add bright acidity complementing the smoky and savory flavors, and the honey balances the heat slightly.
Once cooked, the greens can be served as a classic Southern side. The inclusion of jalapeno peppers is a personal variation for added spice which can be adjusted or omitted. This dish exemplifies slow-cooked Southern greens with deep flavor from smoked meats and vinegar seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 collard greens about 3 pounds, large bunch
- 1 pound Bacon chopped (smoked bacon is ideal)
- 1 white onion chopped, large
- 2 jalapeno pepper chopped - optional (use milder peppers for less heat
- 1 pound smoked ham chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced (or more to taste)
- 12 cups chicken stock 3 quarts
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or use sugar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt I use 1 tsp each, to taste
- black pepper I use 1 tsp each, to taste
- hot sauce a few dashes will do - use your favorite hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse and wash the collard greens to remove any grit. Trim the collard greens into ribbons and set aside.
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add the bacon. Cook for 10 minutes, or until they begin to crisp up.
- Add the onion and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring here and there, until softened.
- Add the ham and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the chicken stock, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, chili flakes, salt and pepper, hot sauce, and reserved collard greens.
- Cover and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until done to your desired tenderness. You can simmer up to 3 hours for VERY tender collard greens.
- Serve.
Notes
- Cook collard greens 1-3 hours to achieve preferred tenderness; longer cooking results in softer greens.
- Jalapeno peppers are optional and add spice; milder peppers may be used for less heat.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 333 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 333kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 1089mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 716mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 5789IU | 116% |
| Vitamin C | 44mg | 49% |
| Calcium | 283mg | 28% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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