If you’re first wondering what collard greens are, they’re a collection of hardy green vegetables belonging to the cabbage family. They’re found regularly used in Southern U.S. cooking. Just as in the Southern collard greens recipe shared above, they’re usually simmered for a long period of time with meats, onions, and other ingredients. Considered a bitter green, you can find out more about this group of vegetables in our helpful guide.
To prepare collard greens, it’s best to remove the tough stems prior to cooking. This helps to cook the leaves more evenly, but the stems are also inedible. Collards are well known for trapping grit, so they need to be cleaned and dried thoroughly before using. Don’t completely submerge the collard greens in the pan. You need just enough liquid to cover the greens halfway, as they’ll release moisture during the cooking process.
Make sure you cook the collard greens low and slow, and don’t rush this part of the recipe. Depending on how tender you like your collards, they can take up to 90 minutes to reach the desired texture.
Cooking Methods and Flavor Enhancements
In the collard greens recipe above we’ve shared a classic and easy recipe method to follow with a slow-simmering approach. However, you can cook collard greens in a number of ways from braising to steaming, depending on the final texture you’d like to achieve in your dish.
For the tastiest collard greens, it’s all about building the flavors, starting with the base of bacon fat and onions. Ham hock adds depth and richness for a classic Southern approach, but you can add any number of spices, herbs, and flavor enhancers to this dish. A sprinkling of crushed red chili flakes brings a welcome heat to the pan, whereas soy sauce adds notes of umami.
How to Serve Collard Greens
Collard greens are a flavorful side dish that can be enjoyed from a small bowl with the greens and a helping of the broth. It’s ideal as a classic Southern accompaniment for fried fish. Or you can enjoy the collard greens straight from the bowl as a main meal, with a helping of cornbread on the side for dipping.
For a savory breakfast idea, collard greens are tasty alongside a helping of scrambled eggs and sweet potato hash as a hearty and elevated dish for the weekend.
