If I can make collard greens, you can too! Simple Southern Collard Greens are loaded with cabbage, thick-cut bacon, and spiced up just right.
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Growing up in the south, I've seen my fair share of greens on the table for the holidays, and the random weekend dinner table. Being a super picky eater, I never touched anything green growing up.
My mother and grandmother used to make southern collard greens with ham hocks.
Even if I would have eaten green beans or peas, I'm not sure I would have even tried collard greens, because let's face it, they don't look kid friendly!
This was the first year that we weren't at my brothers house for New Years, so this was the first year that I wouldn't see collard greens, black eyed peas, and hog jowl on the table.
I knew that in order for us to have good luck this year that I had to try and make all of these things...things that I don't eat, except for the hog jowl.
Yikes! As scary as it sounded, I had Zack here to taste test it all! Hehehe. He loves those things, and I knew that he could tell me if things were cooked enough, right, etc.
He was a wonderful taste tester, and these Simple Southern Collard Greens were so good....he didn't have to add hot sauce! And, I think that's a big deal.
Since I don't have my mother around to tell me/teach me how to cook these, and my daddy was only here for Christmas, this was something I was going to have to search out on the internet.
I found literally hundreds of recipes that all do something a little different, but mostly with one thing in common....you have to cook these forever to get them to taste good.
Well, I watched Top Chef recently and saw where one of the chef's had chosen to cook collards, and she only had an hour. Oh, and no, she didn't use a pressure cooker. I knew that I wanted to try and cook them however she did.
Only problem is, I didn't remember how she did it. Ugh, I loathe my awful short term memory.
Anyway. I found a recipe that I wanted to use as a base and work from there. Of course I chose the recipe from Mandy at South Your Mouth as my base, because hello, she's from the south!
I knew that if anyone could make collard greens the correct way, it would be here.
I then added what I remember my mother adding, cabbage. She did this to help with the bitterness, I think??
At least that is what I remember someone saying years and years ago. Long term memory, good. Short term memory, bad. Haha.
So cabbage, bacon, lot's of hog jowl grease, and collard greens; plus a little spice. So here is my Simple Southern Collard Green recipe.
How do I pick the best collard greens?
You can do two things here, you can buy collard greens pre bagged, cleaned and already cut...OR you can buy them just like you would any other leafy green vegetable.
To look for the best collards, you want to make sure that they are a dark leafy green color, without any slime. Older greens tend to get slimy on the ends.
You want to slightly tear one away from the stem to see how tough they are. You want to choose a collard that is easier to tear from the stem.
How do you clean collard greens?
Start by filling your sink full of cool water. Place the collard greens into the water, and give them a vigorous shake. This helps loosen any sand or dirt left behind from the field.
Repeat this process as many times as it takes for you to not see any more sand/dirt in the bottom of the sink.
If you're working with a lot of greens, you may want to rinse half, and do the other half after the first.
Do I remove the stems?
It's up to you. The stems tend to be bitter, so we simply cut them away. This is a job that I usually give to Kelsie. You can rip them away from the stems, or cut them.
Looking for other great holiday favorites to make a great meal?
- The Best Southern Corn Bread
- Pomegranate Glazed Turkey
- Sheet Pan Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Crowd
- Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Simple Southern Collard Greens
If I can make collard greens, you can too! Simple Southern Collard Greens are loaded with cabbage, thick-cut bacon, and spiced up just right.
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz bag collard greens - fresh
- half a small head of cabbage thinly sliced
- 5 strips thick-cut bacon cut into ½ inch pieces
- 4 tablespoons hog jowl grease or bacon
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- chicken stock - amount will vary and you may not even need any at all
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large deep pan, with a lid, cook bacon over medium to high heat.
- Add ¼ bag of the collards and ¼ of the cabbage. Cook, until the collards have wilted down - tossing in the grease from the bacon. Add more collards and cabbage, tossing in the grease, adding the 4 tablespoons of grease from the hog jowl or bacon, continuing until all of the collards and cabbage have been added to the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for an hour, stirring occasionally.
- At all times you want about ¼ cup of liquid in the bottom of your pan. This is where the chicken stock will come in.Your collards and cabbage may give off enough liquid, and you won't need the stock. I only had to add stock once, and that was in the middle of my cooking time.
- At the one hour mark, check your collards, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the vinegar and red pepper flakes.
- Depending on your tastes, you may choose to cook longer than an hour. We were happy with them at this point.
Notes
If you find that the collards are a bit too bitter, feel free to add sugar. My mother used to add sugar, but I'm not sure how much. Go with your taste buds!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 580mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 5gSugar: 2gProtein: 14g
robin masshole mommy
Those look so good. I love collaed greens, but don't make them that often because my kids aren't big fans. I think they would like this, though.
Silvia
I was born and raised in the South and I have never had Collard greens! I know I know what how right!?! This looks so yummy and I'm glad you provided a simple recipe! Now I can try it and see what everyone raves about.
Missy Burson
You had me at bacon! I am trying to find more ways & recipes to get more veg into my diet. This recipe looks like it will do the trick!
Debra
We tried collard greens a few years ago and totally thought they were great, if made the right way! I truly love the south and everything there!
Terri Steffes
My grandmother's favorite food! We used to go pick together when I was little. I love how much you've chopped yours. My grandmother loved large pieces. Yours look delicious.
Lindsey
Beautiful photos! My husband is actually the collards maker in our house- they are so yummy!
Jennifer (JenuineMom)
Wow, these look pretty good. I don't think I've ever had collard greens before, but ... there's bacon. It can't be all that bad, right? I will have to give these a try.
Vera Sweeney
These look really good! I think bacon can make everything amazing, love how they looked chopped up.
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
I have never been able to learn to like collard greens even though I lived in the south for so long. I once asked one my neighbors the best way to cook collards and she replied, in someone else's house, HA
Brandi Puga
yummy! anything with bacon is amazing on my list! I have had this beofre but i think your recipe looks a bit richer and yummier!
katriza
I have to admit that I have never tried collard greens or any recipes that contain them. I really love the bacon in this! How can you honestly go wrong with that? This looks like a perfect dish to try this week!
Carolyn
I am sure the bacon makes these super tasty. I usually only have collards once a year on New Years Day for good luck.
Rachel
We aren't a big collard greens family but this I might need to give a try. It looks yummy and simple.
Krystle Cook
Collard greens are one of my favorite sides. Yours look like it is packed full of flavor. I am going to have to give them a try.
Teresa
Being a midwesterner, I have never had collard greens. I don't think I have ever even seen this being sold at my grocer - but I love kale - does it taste like Kale?
Joanna
Teresa, I'm gonna shock you...I've never had Kale! So I have no idea how the taste compares. Collard Greens are bitter unless they are cooked long enough, and prepared correctly. Maybe that will help. 🙂
Kit Stanwood
Haha I imagine collard greens not tasting good but I'll try anything that has bacon in it!!! thanks for sharing!
Karen
I have to admit, I dont usually cook collard greens and rarely eat them out. But, I might have to try out this yummy looking recipe now!
Marisa
Great Recipe! I've never had them but this looks like something that I would like to try! thanks for sharing!
Logan
Yum! I love some good collards! My mom has always added bacon to hers as well and it is delicious! I bet your recipe is just as wonderful!
Reesa Lewandowski
I have never had collard greens! They look DELICIOUS though! I should pick up some and try this recipe out.
Brittany
I'm a Yankee living in the south and since I've been here I have learned to love so many traditional southern dishes and collard greens is one of them, yet I've never prepared them myself. I can't wait to try this recipe!
Angela Ricardo
This is the first time that I heard of this recipe and so glad that you share this. I would love to try this for my hubby and I bet he would love this too
Tabitha Shakespeare
I've never had collard greens before! I wouldn't mind trying them! I'm not a great cook though so idk if I could pull it off.
Jazz
Oh my gosh, these look great. Your photography is so wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
CourtneyLynne
Omg can we say yum?!?! Everything about this recipe looks absolutely amazing !!! Must make
Jessica
Thank you so much for sharing, my husband is starting a new diet next week and i'm trying to gather up some new recipes.
Chelsea Damon
This looks great! I'd never had collard greens until last year and I actually loved them! But these look way better than the ones I had haha
katrina gehman
oh my goodness this looks so good! i need to save this for later
Carol Ware
I was RAISED on collard greens, but didn't come to truly appreciate them until my adulthood. They are truly one of my favorite things to prepare for my family. And I have to say--I make great greens. But, in this recipe are many of the things I put into my greens. These ought to come out well for all who try them. They look good! And I thought that I was one of the only people I know who put cabbage into their greens. It's really good.
Felecia
I just came across your recipe. This is almost exactly how I cook collards. I use balsamic vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar and i put a little honey in them. My family loves them.