Best Quick Southern Collards Recipes

QUICK COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• To prepare the collards: Cut out the thick center rib out of each collard green. Stack the rib-less greens and roll them up into a cigar-like shape. Slice over the "cigar" as thinly as possible (⅛″ to ¼″) to make long strands. Shake up the greens and give them a few chops so the strands aren't so long.
• Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, then add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add all of the collard greens and the salt.
• Stir until all of the greens are lightly coated in oil, then let them cook for about 30 seconds before stirring again. Continue stirring in 30-second intervals until the greens are wilted, dark green, and some are starting to turn browns on the edges (this is delicious). This will take between 3 to 6 minutes.
• Once the collards are just about done, add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to break up the garlic and cook until it's fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Immediately divide the cooked collards onto plates, and serve with a lemon wedge each.

SOUTHERN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS

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 STYLE COLLARD GREENS

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.

TANGY QUICK COLLARDS

Steps:

• Remove the large center stems from the collard greens. Stack the leaves on top of each other and roll them as tightly as possible. Use a sharp chef's knife to slice the leaves as thinly as possible.
• Use a vegetable peeler to remove three 1-by-2-inch strips of peel from the lime. Finely chop the peel.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, mustard, jalapeno and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until very fragrant and the garlic is pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and simmer until almost completely reduced. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the collard greens. Cook, tossing with tongs, until just slightly wilted, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.

KICKIN' COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
• Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.

GRANDMA'S SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon lard over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add ham hocks, water, seasoned salt, pepper flakes, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until meat is tender, 55-60 minutes., Add collard greens, wine, and remaining 1 Tbsp. lard. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until greens are very tender, 55-60 minutes. Remove meat from bones; finely chop and return to pan. Discard bones. Serve with a slotted spoon.