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Southern Collard Greens Recipe (How to Cook Collard Greens)
5 from 50 votes

Southern Collard Greens Recipe (How to Cook Collard Greens)

Southern Collard Greens are slow-simmered greens cooked with smoky bacon and ham, lightly spiced with jalapeno peppers, garlic, and seasonings, then simmered in rich chicken stock with vinegar for tang. This slow-cooked dish yields tender, flavorful greens with a balance of smoky, savory, and mildly spicy notes, traditional in Southern cuisine.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Servings: 12
Calories: 333 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Thoroughly rinse and wash the collard greens to remove any grit. Trim the collard greens into ribbons and set aside.
  2. Heat a large pot to medium heat and add the bacon. Cook for 10 minutes, or until they begin to crisp up.
  3. Add the onion and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring here and there, until softened.
  4. Add the ham and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the chicken stock, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, chili flakes, salt and pepper, hot sauce, and reserved collard greens.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 333

% 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.