did about kale. I had never tried it before our switch to real food, and I certainly didn’t have any plans to run out and buy any. However, once I started to understand the importance of eating locally grown foods that are in season, my views changed. So I set out to find a way to make collard greens into a tasty dish that didn’t take all day long to cook (it only takes about 25 – 30 min).
This recipe is also a perfect example of flavoring your meal with meat rather than having meat as the main course. You could pair it with some baked sweet potatoes and whole-wheat biscuits to make one delicious, filling and healthy meal. I do want to preface this recipe though by saying that my children have been accepting of most of what I have posted so far, but as you can imagine this unfortunately is not one of them!
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Collard Greens
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 bunch collard greens, rinsed (we have also used a combination of collard and mustard greens)
- 4 slices bacon (I got some of this at the farmers’ market, too)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Directions
- Remove the center ribs from the collard greens and discard. Cut the leaves into small strips (we used culinary scissors).
- Place the greens into a large saute pan fitted with a lid. Turn the heat to medium, add 2 – 3 tablespoons of water and cover. Cook for several minutes until leaves are wilted.
- Transfer the wilted collard greens to a plate and wipe the skillet dry. Turn the heat back on to medium and cook the bacon on each side until brown. Drain the bacon on paper towels, but leave the bacon grease in the pan. Break the cooked bacon into small pieces.
- Add the diced onion to the bacon grease in the pan over medium heat. Cook until the onions are soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add the collard greens back into the pan along with the vinegar, maple syrup, red pepper, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 5 – 10 minutes until the liquid reduces then add the chopped bacon to the pan and season with salt (if necessary).
Yum! Can’t wait to make these! Thanks for posting!!!
I am so glad to hear someone actually be excited about collard greens! They were actually tastier than I expected with this recipe. Enjoy
[...] Collard greens [...]
We’re way up north but 2 of my 4 love collards! I had some great ones at a friend house once. She said all she did was sprinkle with water and & steam in the microwave. Haven’t been able to duplicate that one though so we cook them the way you do.
I just made these tonight. My husband and I loved them! I had never had collard greens before and I was apprehensive about them but they turned out awesome! Thanks Lisa!
I saute them with garlic and a bit of shoyu or tamari, sometime throwing in garbonzos, cashews and a bit of cooked quinoa. Or I just saute them and have sweet potatoes and scrambled eggs on the side for breakfast. Delicious!
My 20 month toddler loves collard greens. He first had them from my husband’s grandmother and gobbled them up. Maybe you need to start them young to enjoy greens. I’ve also skipped the bacon and used carmalized onions in their place with good results. Not bad at all.
I make mine in the pressure cooker with a bit of bacon, and the zest and juice of an orange. Oh, and a touch of garlic. Wonderful stuff. Add cornbread and beans and you have a whole meal.
These were wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I was out of cider vinegar so used balsamic instead. Yummy!
Just tried this and it was very tasty. My husband and I live in the Caribbean and have never had collard greens in our life until now. A neighbor brought some over from his garden. Nice! Not bitter, like I thought..