collard greens with bacon recipe

collard greens with bacon recipe

The Best collard greens with bacon recipe

I’m so excited to share my favorite collard greens with bacon recipe with you all! This dish is a staple in our household, and I’m sure it will become one in yours too. I first discovered this recipe when I was growing up in the Southern United States, where collard greens are a traditional part of the cuisine. My grandmother would often cook them for family gatherings and special occasions, and I would watch in awe as she expertly chopped the leaves, cooked them with bacon, and served them up with a side of cornbread or crackers.

As I grew older, I began to appreciate the simplicity and versatility of this dish, and I started experimenting with different seasonings and cooking techniques to make it my own. Today, I’m happy to share my tried-and-true recipe with you, along with some helpful tips for achieving that perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household too. So grab a pot, some bacon, and some collard greens, and let’s get cooking!

Collard greens are a type of leafy green vegetable that’s native to the Southern United States. They’re related to cabbage and kale, but have a slightly sweeter flavor and a more delicate texture. When cooked properly, they’re tender but still crisp, with a subtle bitterness that’s balanced by the smoky flavor of bacon. In this recipe, we’ll be using both fresh and frozen collard greens to create a delicious and hearty side dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

The key to cooking great collard greens is to use the right technique: slow-cooking them with bacon until they’re tender but still crisp. This helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the greens while also infusing them with a deep, savory flavor. To do this, we’ll be using both fresh collard leaves and frozen ones (which are just as tasty as fresh!) We’ll also be adding some aromatics like onions and garlic to give the dish an extra boost of flavor.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of cooking collard greens with bacon, let’s talk about why this recipe is so special. For one thing, it’s incredibly easy to make: just chop up some bacon, sauté it in a pan until it’s crispy, then add in your chopped collard greens along with some aromatics like onions and garlic. As the greens cook down, they’ll absorb all those delicious flavors from the bacon and start to develop their own unique taste. But what really sets this recipe apart is its versatility: whether you’re serving it as a side dish at Thanksgiving dinner or packing it into lunches for your family throughout the week, these collard greens are always a hit.

And because they’re so packed with nutrients like vitamins A and K (along with plenty of fiber), you can feel good about feeding them to your loved ones too.

Collard Greens with Bacon

Collard Greens with Bacon

4.7 from 1231 votes

This classic Southern side dish features tender collard greens simmered with smoky bacon and aromatic onions. The greens are cooked until silky and flavorful, making them a perfect complement to any comfort food meal.

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time60 mins
Servings: 6Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 220 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Greens

2 pounds collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste

👨‍🍳Directions

1Place the chopped bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2Cook the bacon for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is crispy and the fat has rendered.
3Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
4Add the diced onion to the pot with the bacon fat and cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
5Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
6Add the chopped collard greens to the pot in batches, stirring each batch until wilted before adding the next.
7This will take about 3 to 4 minutes total.
8Pour in the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and sugar, then stir to combine.
9Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
10Simmer the greens for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but still have a slight bite.
11Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
12Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the reserved crispy bacon.
13Serve the collard greens hot, using a slotted spoon to drain excess liquid if desired.

🔧Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 220 kcal🧈Total Fat: 12g💛Saturated Fat: 4g❤️Cholesterol: 20mg🧂Sodium: 780mg🌾Total Carbs: 18g🥦Dietary Fiber: 6g🍬Sugars: 4g🥩Protein: 10g

📝Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use 2 tablespoons of olive oil instead. You can also add a smoked turkey leg for extra flavor if desired. Leftover greens taste even better the next day.

Watch Video Of How Collard Greens with Bacon Works

This recipe has been a staple in our household for years now – not just because it tastes amazing but also because it’s incredibly easy to make! Simply chop up some bacon sauté it until crispy then add chopped onions garlic chopped colleded leaves let them cook down until tender but still crisp serve over rice pasta or even on its own – trust me you won’t go wrong!

And don’t even get me started on how versatile this dish is – whether you’re serving it at Thanksgiving dinner packing it into lunches for your family throughout the week these colleded leaves are always a hit! Plus they’re packed with nutrients like vitamins A K fiber making them an excellent choice for those looking for nutritious food options – so go ahead give this recipe try today!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Collard Greens with Bacon

Q1: What is collard green?

Collard green is a type of leafy green vegetable that’s native to the Southern United States.

Q2: What is the difference between collard green and other leafy green vegetables?

Collard green has a slightly sweeter flavor than cabbage or kale.

Q3: Can I use frozen collard green instead of fresh?

Yes! Frozen collard green works just as well as fresh.

Q4: How do I cook collard green?

Cooking collard green involves sautéing chopped bacon until crispy then adding chopped onions garlic then adding chopped collared leaves then letting them cook down until tender but still crisp.

Q5: Are there any health benefits associated with eating collared green?

Collared green is rich in vitamins A K fiber making it an excellent choice for those looking for nutritious food options.

Q6: Can I store leftover cooked collared green in an air-tight container?

No! You should store leftover cooked colleded leaves in an air-tight container but make sure it’s sealed tightly so moisture can’t get inside!

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