Best 8 Wilted Collards Greens With Bacon And Onion Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the realm of Southern cuisine, few dishes embody the spirit of comfort and tradition quite like wilted collard greens. These hearty leaves, often associated with soul food, carry a legacy that spans generations. With their distinct earthy flavor and versatility, collard greens have earned a place in the culinary hearts of many.

This article presents a collection of delectable wilted collard greens recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From the classic Southern-style preparation with bacon and onion to innovative variations featuring smoked turkey, sausage, and even a vegetarian option, there's a recipe here to cater to every taste and dietary preference.

1. **Wilted Collard Greens with Bacon and Onion**: This quintessential recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort food. Tender collard greens are slow-cooked with smoky bacon, aromatic onions, and a touch of vinegar, resulting in a flavorful and comforting dish that pairs perfectly with cornbread or fried chicken.

2. **Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey**: For a healthier take on the classic recipe, this variation swaps out bacon for smoked turkey. The result is a lighter yet equally flavorful dish that retains the smoky essence of traditional collard greens.

3. **Collard Greens with Sausage**: This hearty and savory recipe adds a layer of depth and richness to the classic dish. With the addition of spicy sausage, collard greens transform into a robust and satisfying meal that's perfect for a cold winter day.

4. **Vegetarian Wilted Collard Greens**: This recipe caters to those with dietary restrictions or a preference for plant-based meals. Collard greens are lovingly braised in a flavorful broth, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in a nutritious and delicious dish that's sure to please even the most discerning palate.

5. **Creamy Collard Greens**: This innovative recipe adds a touch of creaminess to the traditional collard greens preparation. With the addition of heavy cream or coconut milk, collard greens take on a velvety texture and a rich, decadent flavor that's sure to impress.

6. **Collard Greens with Black-Eyed Peas**: This recipe combines two Southern staples into one harmonious dish. Tender collard greens are cooked together with black-eyed peas, creating a flavorful and nutritious meal that's packed with protein and fiber.

7. **Wilted Collard Greens Salad**: This recipe offers a refreshing take on collard greens, transforming them into a vibrant and healthy salad. Fresh collard greens are massaged with a tangy vinaigrette, creating a crisp and flavorful salad that's perfect as a side dish or light meal.

These recipes showcase the versatility and appeal of wilted collard greens, offering a range of flavors and preparations to suit every palate. Whether you prefer the classic Southern-style with bacon and onion or a more innovative variation, these recipes provide a culinary journey that celebrates the rich tradition and deliciousness of this beloved dish.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

BRAISED COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON



Braised Collard Greens with Bacon image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 large bunches collard greens
4 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon canola oil, if needed
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • Cut and trim the collard greens, removing the tough stems. Roughly chop the trimmed greens into 1/2-inch ribbons.
  • Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon to leave behind all of the delicious bacon fat to cook the collard greens in.
  • Add the onions and red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Depending on the bacon you use, you may need more fat in the pan, so add the canola oil if needed. Saute until the onions are softened, fragrant and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sweat 30 seconds. Then add the collard greens, stirring constantly until softened. Pour in the chicken broth and wine and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the greens are tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Once the greens are tender, return the bacon to the pan, add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON



Collard Greens with Bacon image

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

½ pound bacon ends and pieces
1 large white onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups water
2 bunches collard greens, coarsely chopped

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 WITH BACON AND SWEET ONIONS



Quick-Braised Greens with Bacon and Sweet Onions image

Provided by Aida Mollenkamp

Categories     side-dish

Time 32m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 1/2 pounds collard greens, washed, trimmed, and roughly chopped
4 ounces bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup minced sweet onions
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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.

WILTED COLLARDS



Wilted Collards image

This is a very good recipe for people who do not like collard greens. Collards may be cooked ahead and re-heated.Serve with hot pepper vinegar if desired.

Provided by Kim

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Greens

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

½ pound bacon, diced
2 bunches collard greens, trimmed and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white sugar

Steps:

  • Place bacon in a large, deep pot; cook and stir over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Cook and stir collard greens, onion, garlic, and sugar into the cooked bacon. Cover pot and let mixture steam until collard greens are wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove cover, raise heat to high, and cook until liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.3 calories, Carbohydrate 10.2 g, Cholesterol 13.6 mg, Fat 5.6 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 7.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 304.7 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

COLLARD GREENS WITH RED ONIONS AND BACON



Collard Greens with Red Onions and Bacon image

An easy Collard Greens recipe

Categories     Leafy Green     Onion     Pork     Winter     Gourmet

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into fourths
3 medium red onions, chopped coarse (about 3 cups)
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
4 pounds collard greens (preferably small leaves), coarse stems and ribs discarded and leaves and thin stems washed well, drained, and chopped coarse

Steps:

  • In a deep heavy kettle cook bacon in 2 batches over moderate heat until crisp and transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but about 3 tablespoons drippings and in drippings remaining in kettle cook onions, stirring occasionally, until browned slightly and softened. Transfer onions with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
  • To kettle add broth, vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and about half of bacon, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add about half of collards, tossing until wilted slightly, and add remaining collards, tossing until combined. Simmer collards, covered, 30 minutes. Stir in onions and simmer, covered, 30 minutes more, or until collards are very tender.
  • Serve collards topped with remaining bacon.

BACON COLLARD GREENS



Bacon Collard Greens image

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

2 pounds collard greens
4 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
1 cup chopped sweet onion
5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

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.

WILTED COLLARDS GREENS WITH BACON AND ONION



Wilted Collards Greens With Bacon and Onion image

Delicious wilted collard greens ... the prefect balance of salty bacon, sweet onion and bitter greens. Serve with beef, fish, chicken or by itself with a loaf of crusty bread and other vegetables! Wonderful side item or main dish!

Provided by CarolinaCookingGal

Categories     Low Protein

Time 25m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb collard greens
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons black pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (optional)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional)

Steps:

  • Turn an eye on the stove to medium heat.
  • In a large sauté pan or stock pot, cook the chopped bacon for a few minutes until some grease is rendered, then, toss in the onion. Cook this until onion becomes tender. DO NOT DRAIN!
  • Next, throw the collard greens into the bacon and onion and carefully stir a little (it will seem like there are too many collard greens, but they cook down very quickly).
  • Pour in the chicken stock and the water.
  • Add the optional seasonings (pepper, seasoning salt and vinegar).
  • Cover the pan and cook on medium to medium high. You will see the collards begin to wilt rather quickly.
  • Continue cooking until all of the liquid is gone, stirring occasionally. (This normally takes me about 20 minutes.).
  • Try the collards and if they are not as tender as you would like, simply add 1/4 cup of water at a time until they reach the desired tenderness.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 106.3, Fat 6.2, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 9.1, Sodium 163, Carbohydrate 9.3, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 2.1, Protein 4.8

COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON



Collard Greens With Bacon image

I've never made collard greens before, but found this recipe online and gave it a try. My whole family loved them. They were great! UPDATE: I just made them without bacon since I didn't have any and just added a smoky hot sauce and they were still good. Some sort of fat just makes them extra good though.

Provided by KristiJoy

Categories     Collard Greens

Time 40m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 slices thick-sliced bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 -2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3 dashes hot sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 lbs collard greens, stems removed, sliced into 3-inch-wide strips (can substitute kale or chard)
1 cup chicken broth

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Cook the bacon in the skillet until it just begins to brown around the edges, stirring occasionally. Don't overcook the bacon. It should be barely brown around the edges and still somewhat raw-looking in the middle.
  • Add the garlic, salt, pepper, syrup and hot sauce. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant, about a minute. Add the vinegar, bring to a simmer, and cook until the amount of liquid is reduced by half, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Add the collard greens and the chicken broth (or water) and bring to a simmer. Reduce the temp to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the collard greens have wilted and have lost their brightness. Season to taste with additional vinegar and hot sauce. Serve with some of the pan juices from the pan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.7, Fat 3.2, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 3.6, Sodium 583, Carbohydrate 11.5, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 3.3, Protein 4.8

Tips:

  • Choose fresh collard greens. Look for leaves that are a deep green color and have no signs of wilting or damage.
  • Wash the collard greens thoroughly. This will remove any dirt or debris that may be on the leaves.
  • Remove the tough stems from the collard greens. This will make them easier to eat.
  • Chop the collard greens into small pieces. This will help them cook evenly.
  • Use a large pot or Dutch oven to cook the collard greens. This will give them plenty of room to wilt.
  • Add a little bit of water or broth to the pot. This will help prevent the collard greens from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Bring the collard greens to a boil over medium heat. Then, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the collard greens are tender.
  • Season the collard greens with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
  • Serve the collard greens with bacon, onion, and vinegar.

Conclusion:

Wilted collard greens are a delicious and nutritious side dish that can be enjoyed year-round. They are a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and calcium. Collard greens are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from disease. The addition of bacon, onion, and vinegar gives this dish a unique and flavorful twist.

Related Topics