0 from 75 votes
Southern Collard Greens Recipe (How to Cook Collard Greens)
Learn how to cook collard greens the ultimate way, cooked low and slow with bacon, ham, and spices for the most tender greens and to-die-for pot likker. You'll never want them any other way.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Servings: 12
Calories: 333 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of collard greens about 3 pounds
- 1 pound Bacon chopped (smoked bacon is ideal)
- 1 large white onion chopped
- 2 Jalapeno peppers 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 and pepper to taste I use 1 tsp each
- hot sauce to taste a few dashes will do - use your favorite hot sauce
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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- I usually simmer my collard greens for the whole 3 hours, but they are nice and tender with a bit of bite after 2 hours. Just cook to your preference.
- Peppers are not traditionally used in most recipes, but I love them and add lots of them in for my own tastes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
333kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
50mg
(17%)
Sodium
1089mg
(45%)
Potassium
716mg
(20%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
5789IU
(116%)
Vitamin C
44mg
(49%)
Calcium
283mg
(28%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
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.