Collard Greens are a classic Southern side dish, often slow-cooked until tender with flavorful seasonings. They’re slightly bitter, earthy, and pair perfectly with rich foods like cornbread, fried chicken, or ham. Here’s a simple, traditional recipe:
Southern-Style Collard Greens
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh collard greens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon drippings
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 smoked ham hock, smoked turkey leg, or 4–6 slices of bacon (optional for flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, to brighten flavor)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Collard Greens:
- Rinse the greens thoroughly to remove dirt and grit.
- Remove the tough stems and slice the leaves into 1–2 inch strips.
2. Cook Aromatics:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil or bacon drippings over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes, then add garlic and cook another minute.
3. Add Collards and Broth:
- Add the collard greens to the pot and toss to coat with the oil and onions.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the smoked meat (ham hock, turkey leg, or bacon).
4. Simmer:
- Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender.
- If you like spicier greens, add crushed red pepper flakes.
5. Season and Serve:
- Remove the smoked meat (if using) and shred any meat to mix back into the greens.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot as a side dish.
Tips:
- Cleaning Collards: Collard greens can be gritty. Rinse them multiple times or soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before cooking.
- Flavor Boost: A splash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of sugar can balance the bitterness.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the smoked meat and cook with vegetable broth, a splash of soy sauce, and a little smoked paprika for depth.
- Make-Ahead: Collard greens often taste even better the next day after the flavors meld.
This Southern collard greens recipe is tender, flavorful, and a perfect balance of savory, smoky, and slightly tangy. It’s a classic side dish that pairs wonderfully with Southern favorites.
If you want, I can also give a quick, 20-minute sautéed version that’s faster but still flavorful. Do you want that version?
