Best 3 Bacon Bourbon Collards Southern Living Recipes

Down South, collard greens are a staple dish that evoke comfort, family, and tradition. Their appeal goes beyond their nutritional value; their earthy flavor has also won the hearts of many. Many cooks will attest that the secret to a good batch of Southern collard greens is a generous amount of pork flavor, and bacon is the preferred vehicle. A hint of smoky bourbon enhances the dish and brings a new dimension of flavor. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this step-by-step guide will equip you with the essential knowledge and guidance you need to prepare a transformative plate of bacon bourbon collards that will leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BACON & BOURBON COLLARDS (SOUTHERN LIVING) RECIPE - (4/5)

Bacon & Bourbon Collards (Southern Living) Recipe - (4/5) image

Provided by TMaloy

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 thick bacon slices
3 T. butter
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 (12 oz.) bottle ale beer
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup bourbon
1 t. dried crushed red pepper
6 lbs. fresh collard greens, trimmed and chopped
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Steps:

Cut bacon crosswise into 1/4 inch strips. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add bacon, and cook, stirring often, 8 minutes or until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. Saute onion in hot drippings until tender. Stir in bacon, ale, and next 3 ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until mixture is reduced by 1/4th. Add collards in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted. Reduce heat to medium low; cover and cook 1 hour or until desired doneness. Stir in 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

Ingredients

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

BACON AND BOURBON COLLARDS

Bacon and Bourbon Collards image

Traditional Southern food with a twist. Serve with a slice of cornbread and enjoy!!

Provided by Lynette !

Categories Vegetables

Time 1h35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 slice thick cut bacon
3 Tbsp butter
1 large sweet onion, diced
12 oz beer
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c bourbon
1 tsp dried crushed red pepper
6 lb fresh collard greens, trimmed and chopped
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Steps:

1. Cut the bacon crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add bacon, and cook, stirring often, 8 minutes or until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet.
2. Saute onion in hot drippings 3 minutes or until the onion is tender. Stir in bacon, ale, and next 3 ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until the mixture is reduced by one-fourth.
3. Add the collards, in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 1 hour or to desired degree of doneness. Stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Tips:

To save time, consider using pre-washed and chopped collard greens.
If you don't have bacon drippings, you can use olive oil or another type of cooking oil.
Don't skip the step of searing the bacon. This adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
Be careful not to overcook the collard greens. They should be tender, but still have a bit of a bite to them.
If you like a little more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Serve the collard greens with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or another Southern side dish.

Conclusion:

Bacon bourbon collard greens are a delicious and easy-to-make Southern dish. They're perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The bacon adds a smoky flavor to the collard greens, while the bourbon adds a touch of sweetness. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.