Best 9 Traditional Southern Collard Greens Recipes

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If you're searching for a comforting and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Southern cuisine, look no further than traditional Southern collard greens. This Southern staple is a celebration of simple, rustic ingredients transformed into a soul-satisfying culinary experience. With its roots deeply entrenched in African American culture and a history spanning generations, collard greens have become a beloved dish enjoyed by people from all walks of life. This article will guide you through the essential steps to create the ultimate Southern collard greens recipe, offering tips on selecting the freshest ingredients and mastering the techniques that make this dish truly special. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this guide will inspire you to recreate the authentic flavors of traditional Southern collard greens, bringing a taste of history and heritage to your table.

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

SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS



Southern Style Collard Greens image

Southern Collard Greens, a side dish served in Southern homes all year round. It's a traditional favorite for New Years Day as the greens are supposed to bring wealth for the New Year. Easy to prepare with this recipe.

Provided by Steve Gordon

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 - Pound of fresh Collard Greens, washed well and chopped.
1 - Smoked Ham Hock (about 4oz) or fat back, hog jowl or streak-o-lean
1 - Medium Onion, chopped
2 - Cloves of Garlic, chopped
1 - teaspoon of Black Pepper
1 - Tablespoon of Salt
1 - Tablespoon of Sugar
1 - Tablespoon of Texas Pete Hot Sauce
1 - Tablespoon of Butter
3 - Quarts of Water

Steps:

  • Place 3 cups of water in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  • Wash and scrub the Ham Hock well, cut into sections and add to the boiling water.
  • Let Ham Hock simmer for about 30 minutes on medium heat.
  • Wash the collard greens scrubbing each leaf under cool running water until clean.
  • Fold each collard leaf in half, either in your hand or on your cutting board.
  • Pull the leaf section away from the stem. Discard stems.
  • Stack a couple of leaves together on your cutting board.
  • Begin at one end and roll the leaves up tightly. Then, cut lengthwise down the center of the roll.
  • Squeeze the cut sections back together, rotate and cut the roll into about 3/4 inch slices.
  • Add leaves to the pot a little at a time, let them cook down a minute and then add more.
  • Reduce heat to a low simmer, leave the pot uncovered and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Chop the onions and chop or mince the garlic cloves.
  • In a small saucepan on medium low heat, add the butter and let it melt.
  • Add the chopped onions and garlic to the butter and sauté until onions are translucent.
  • Add the cooked onions and garlic to your stock pot with the collard leaves.
  • Add salt, sugar, black pepper and Texas Pete Hot Sauce in amounts listed. Stir well.
  • Let simmer another 15 minutes or until the collards are as tender as you prefer.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove the greens and place in a bowl. Let the liquid continue to simmer.
  • Chop the greens into smaller pieces but not to the point of being mushy.
  • Remove the ham hock, chop the meatier portions into small pieces and return to the liquid.
  • Return the chopped collard greens to the liquid and stir well.
  • Keep warm until ready to serve.

SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS



Southern Style Collard Greens image

Southern-style greens like my mama use to make.

Provided by tybright31

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Greens

Time 4h15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 sweet onions, finely chopped
2 smoked ham hocks
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 (32 ounce) containers chicken broth
3 (1 pound) packages collard greens, trimmed
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Combine onions, ham hocks, and garlic in a stockpot; add chicken broth. Cook mixture over medium heat until meat is falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
  • Stir collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into the broth mixture; cook until greens have reached desired tenderness, about 2 more hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.5 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 33.9 mg, Fat 9.7 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 11.8 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1686.5 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS



Southern Collard Greens image

Provided by Guy Fieri

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 pounds collard greens, rinsed
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup 1/4-inch diced salt pork
1 cup diced onion
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, plus more for serving (recommended: Crystal)

Steps:

  • Cut off and discard the tough stems and discolored leaves from the greens. Cut across the leaves into 2-inch ribbons.
  • In a large stock pot, over medium-high heat, add the canola oil and the diced salt pork, and cook until light golden brown and just crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and let cool.
  • Add the onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add the red chili flakes, black pepper, and the collard greens.
  • Stir every few minutes, or until greens have wilted down. Add the chicken stock and the water and cover. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, then remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and add the vinegar and a teaspoon of hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning, if needed, then put it into a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the salt pork and serve with additional hot pepper sauce on the side.

SOUTHERN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS



Southern-Style Collard Greens image

There are many delicious ways to cook collard greens, but this is the way we do it in the South.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Time 2h20m

Yield Serves 10 to 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 hickory-smoked bacon slices, finely chopped
2 medium-size sweet onions, finely chopped
¾ pound smoked ham, chopped
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 (32-oz.) containers chicken broth
3 (1-lb.) packages fresh collard greens, washed and trimmed
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
¾ teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook bacon over medium heat in a 10-qt. stockpot for 10 to 12 minutes or until almost crisp.
  • Add onion to stockpot, and sauté 8 minutes. Add garlic and ham, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth, collard greens, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 2 hours or until desired degree of tenderness.

SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS RECIPE



Southern Collard Greens Recipe image

This Southern Collard Greens recipe is a classic easy side dish! Flavored with smoky bacon and sweet onion, the greens are a crowd-pleasing option for your next Sunday supper or holiday meal.

Provided by Blair Lonergan

Categories     Side Dish

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces hickory smoked bacon, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
48 ounces chicken broth
2 lbs. fresh collard greens, trimmed and washed
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional garnish: crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce

Steps:

  • Cook bacon in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, or until almost crisp. Add onion, and sauté until translucent, about 7-8 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and sauté 1 more minute. Add broth, collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Simmer (uncovered) over low heat for about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally (or until collards reach desired level of tenderness).
  • Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /8 of the recipe, Calories 174 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Sodium 975 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 1 g

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN GREENS (MUSTARD, TURNIP OR COLLARDS)



Traditional Southern Greens (Mustard, Turnip or Collards) image

My family's way of "fixin'"greens. You can use any kind of green or a mix. So simple but so good. Serve with cornbread for soppin' up the pot liquor! Measurements are approximates.

Provided by little_wing

Categories     Greens

Time 3h25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 bunches greens
1/3 cup cold bacon grease (3 big spoonfuls)
1/2 cup ham stock or 1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper
2 pinches sugar

Steps:

  • Fill sink with cold water.
  • Put in greens, making sure they have room to float.
  • The greens will rise to the top, while the dirt will sink.
  • Let greens sit in water for about 20 minutes.
  • Scoop out greens being careful not to stir up the dirt on bottom.
  • If they still look dirty, change water and repeat process.
  • Finish the cleaning by rinsing under running water.
  • Tear greens into pieces, throwing away thick veins and stems.
  • In a large pot, heat the bacon grease over med-high.
  • Add the greens and toss well with bacon grease for a couple of minutes.
  • Add ham stock, salt and pepper and sugar and stir.
  • Cover and simmer gently until very tender (DO NOT BOIL).
  • As the greens cook, they will produce a lot of liquid that will cook down. Add water as needed to prevent burning, but only use what is necessary so your pot liquor won't be watered down.
  • Cook time will vary but usually about 3 hours The flavor of collards is much better if you can cook for about 6 hours.

SOUTHERN AS YOU CAN GET COLLARD GREENS



Southern as You Can Get Collard Greens image

This is as Southern as you can get.

Provided by SOUTHERNGIRL3

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Greens

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 bunch collard greens - rinsed, trimmed and chopped
2 smoked ham hocks
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed chicken broth
21 fluid ounces water
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Place the collard greens and ham hocks in a large pot. Mix in the chicken broth, water, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165.2 calories, Carbohydrate 2.6 g, Cholesterol 34.7 mg, Fat 11.4 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 502.5 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

SOUTHERN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS



Southern-Style Collard Greens image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Brown 4 slices diced bacon in a pot; drain on paper towels. Add 1 cup diced onion to the pot and cook 3 minutes. Add 1 pound thawed frozen collard greens, 1 cup chicken broth and water to cover; simmer 20 minutes. Stir in the bacon, some butter, salt and pepper.

TRUE SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS



True Southern Collard Greens image

My father is from North Carolina, and this is the true TRADITIONAL way to cook some greens, You may substitute the PORK for SMOKED TURKEY.

Provided by ShoeDiva

Categories     Collard Greens

Time 2h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 -4 bunches collard greens
1/2 cup water
1 (8 ounce) package salt pork or 6 large smoked turkey necks
6 garlic cloves
4 (1 g) packets Splenda sugar substitute or 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon kosher salt (IF USING SMOKED TURKEY)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Since Collard Greens are VERY SANDY you must cut of the ends and rinse 3-4 TIMES.
  • Stack leaves on top of each other about 15 roll up then cut.
  • Cut up salt pork into strips and fry in a pan -- Do not add any OIL or GREASE it will make it's own.
  • If your using the smoked turkey, just add to the pot with 1/2 cup of water.
  • Smash garlic with knife (do not chop up).
  • Add water, red pepper, smashed garlic, onion & garlic powder and black pepper (add the SALT if your using the smoked turkey & add the smoked turkey) to large pot; bring to a boil.
  • Add collard greens to pot (water level should be very low--DON'T ADD ANY MORE!).
  • Bring back to a boil add salt pork and the grease it made into the pot.
  • BE CAREFUL OIL WILL POP WHEN IT HITS THE WATER.
  • Stir & cover and bring to very low heat.
  • Cook greens for about 1 hour stirring occasionally, then add sugar/Splenda.
  • Cook for another 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Now you have TRUE Southern Collard Greens.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 375.5, Fat 31.6, SaturatedFat 11.3, Cholesterol 32.6, Sodium 1750.9, Carbohydrate 18.2, Fiber 8.6, Sugar 2, Protein 8.6

Tips:

  • Soak the collard greens: Soaking the collard greens in salted water for at least 30 minutes helps to remove any dirt or grit and also helps to tenderize the leaves.
  • Use a Dutch oven or large pot: A Dutch oven or large pot is ideal for cooking collard greens as it provides plenty of space for the greens to cook evenly.
  • Add a ham hock or smoked turkey: Adding a ham hock or smoked turkey to the collard greens adds a delicious smoky flavor to the dish.
  • Season the greens well: Be sure to season the collard greens with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
  • Cook the greens until they are tender: Collard greens typically take about 1-2 hours to cook until they are tender. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the age and size of the greens.
  • Serve the greens with cornbread or other sides: Collard greens are typically served with cornbread or other sides such as mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, or fried okra.

Conclusion:

Collard greens are a delicious and nutritious dish that is a staple of Southern cuisine. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make the perfect pot of collard greens that will be sure to please everyone at your table.

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