0 from 3 votes
The BEST Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Collard Greens are a flavorful, traditional Southern side dish slowly cooked low until tender. Perfect for New Year's Day and as a delicious everyday side dish!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Servings: 8
Calories: 221 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 3 3 pounds collard greens
- 6 6 slices Bacon chopped
- 1 1 medium onion diced (optional)
- 2 2 quarts chicken stock or broth or store-bought
- 1/4 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
- Prep. Wash and chop collard greens. Set aside.
- Cook bacon and onion. Cook bacon and onion in a large stockpot or Dutch oven until the bacon is crispy.
- Cook collards. Add chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and collard greens. Reduce heat to low and cook until the greens have reached the desired level of tenderness. I recommend about 2 hours.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Take care not to overcook your greens. They will give a sulfur smell when they have been overcooked.
- To store. Cool the greens and then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To freeze. Cool the greens completely. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave until heated throughout.
- Vegan Collard Greens: Substitute 2 tablespoons olive oil for the bacon and bacon drippings. Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken stock used.
- Sugar-Free Collard Greens: Omit the sugar (or maple syrup) used. Note that the collard greens will have a bit of bitterness.
- Slow Cooker Collard Greens: This provides a relatively hands-off solution for cooking these greens. Add the cooked bacon and onion to the slow cooker along with all of the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Nutrition Information
Calories
221kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
21g
(7%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
18mg
(6%)
Sodium
477mg
(20%)
Potassium
669mg
(19%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
8551IU
(171%)
Vitamin C
62mg
(69%)
Calcium
406mg
(41%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 221kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 477mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 669mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 8551IU | 171% |
| Vitamin C | 62mg | 69% |
| Calcium | 406mg | 41% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.