Indulge in the Southern comfort food classic – braised collard greens with bacon, a harmonious blend of earthy greens, smoky bacon, and aromatic spices. This traditional side dish, often served alongside hearty meats like ham or fried chicken, elevates any meal with its soulful flavors. Discover the art of preparing tender collard greens, simmered in a flavorful broth infused with bacon, onions, garlic, and a touch of vinegar. Alongside the main recipe, explore variations that cater to different dietary preferences, including a vegan option that swaps bacon for a medley of mushrooms and a spicy rendition that adds a kick of heat with crushed red pepper flakes. Embark on a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to braised collard greens, where each recipe promises a delicious and satisfying experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
QUICK-BRAISED GREENS WITH BACON AND SWEET ONIONS
Provided by Aida Mollenkamp
Categories side-dish
Time 32m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. When water boils, add greens and cook until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Place bacon in a large frying pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and fat is rendered, about 3 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add greens and turn to coat well. Add broth - it should cover greens and let cook until broth is reduced and greens are very tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve.
COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON
Good ole country collard greens with bacon and onion. These are so hearty and satisfying, even those who say "I don't like greens" will eat these up! You might even get a "Wow!" after the first bite and a "not at all like I remember them tasting". You can eat them alone but they're best with hot buttered cornbread. Mustard and turnip greens are great this way too. Enjoy!
Provided by MA McBridges
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 1h35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place bacon in a heavy pot and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until fat begins to render, about 5 minutes. Drain off 1/2 of the bacon grease.
- Reduce heat to medium and add onion. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Increase heat to high and immediately pour in 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add chopped collard greens and 1 more cup of water. Bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until greens are tender, about 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 80.6 calories, Carbohydrate 6.3 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4.2 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 304.9 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
QUICK-BRAISED GREENS AND BEANS WITH BACON
These stewed greens develop deep flavor thanks to a quick onion-garlic broth and bacon, used two ways. Sliced bacon is cooked until tender, blending in but imparting its smoky, porky essence, while crisp bacon morsels are sprinkled on top for a salty, crunchy hit. This 30-minute dish is great spooned over rice or polenta, or alongside buttery cornbread for a hearty weeknight meal, but you could also top it with an egg to bring it into brunch territory.
Provided by Genevieve Ko
Categories vegetables, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Prepare the greens: Cut the tough stems out of the greens and discard. Stack the leaves, roll tightly crosswise and slice into 3/4-inch-wide ribbons. Transfer to a large bowl, cover with cold water and swish to remove grit. Transfer greens to a colander, cleaning them a second time if the water remaining in the bowl is visibly dirty.
- Cook 2 bacon slices in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 6 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Meanwhile, cut the remaining 2 bacon slices crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
- Add the 1/4-inch bacon strips to the hot bacon fat and cook, stirring, until the fat in the bacon strips starts to render, about 1 minute. Add the onion and a pinch each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until golden brown around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sage and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the stock, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium, add the greens, season with salt and pepper and stir until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Cover and cook until tender with a little bite, about 3 minutes.
- Uncover and add the beans and hot sauce. Stir until the beans are heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among serving dishes and crumble the cooked bacon slices on top. Serve with more hot sauce.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 326, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 831 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SOUTHERN-BRAISED GREENS WITH BACON
Steps:
- In a large, heavy pot cook the bacon until it has rendered most of its fat, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper and cook until the onions are wilted, about 4 minutes. Add 1 quart of water, the beer, vinegar, and molasses and bring to a boil. Begin adding the greens in batches, pressing down with a wooden spoon to submerge them in the hot liquid and adding more as they wilt. When all of the greens have been added, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the greens, partially covered and stirring occasionally, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until tender.
BRAISED COLLARD GREENS
Smoked ham hocks are the key ingredient to these tender braised greens. Inexpensive and full of flavor, these meaty pork knuckles typically require long, low simmering to release their smokey flavor, but if you have an Instant Pot they soften up in no time flat.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and cook 30 seconds. Add the ham hocks, chicken broth and 4 cups water. Increase the heat to high and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the ham is tender and falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
- Remove the ham hocks from the liquid. Remove and discard the skin and bones. Roughly chop the meat into bite-size pieces. Return the meat to the cooking liquid along with the collard greens and vinegar. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender, about 30 minutes. Serve the collards with some of the liquid.
BACON COLLARD GREENS
Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often eaten alongside smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. -Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h20m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Trim thick stems from collard greens; coarsely chop leaves. In a Dutch oven, saute bacon for 3 minutes. Add onion; cook 8-9 minutes longer or until onion is tender and bacon is crisp. Add greens; cook just until wilted., Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until greens are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 651mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
Tips:
- Choose fresh collard greens: Look for leaves that are deep green and free of blemishes.
- Wash the collard greens thoroughly: Rinse the leaves several times in cold water to remove any dirt or grit.
- Remove the tough stems: Cut the stems from the leaves, using a sharp knife.
- Chop the collard greens coarsely: Cut the leaves into 1-inch pieces.
- Use a large pot: This will allow the collard greens to cook evenly.
- Add enough liquid: The collard greens should be covered with liquid, but not swimming in it.
- Bring the collard greens to a boil, then reduce the heat: This will help to tenderize the leaves.
- Simmer the collard greens for at least 1 hour: This will allow the flavors to develop.
- Season the collard greens to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to your liking.
- Serve the collard greens hot: They can be served as a side dish or as a main course.
Conclusion:
Braised collard greens with bacon is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The collard greens are tender and flavorful, and the bacon adds a smoky and savory flavor. This dish is also very easy to make, and it can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your collard greens spicy or mild, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious side dish, give braised collard greens with bacon a try.
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