These Southern-style Garlic Butter Collard Greens are flavored with brown sugar, shallots, and seasonings and are slow-braised until delicious and tender.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr40 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr45 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best collard greens recipe, how to cook collard greens, southern collard greens recipe
Melt the butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat.
Add the onion to the melted butter and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the pepper flakes and shallots; cook for 2 more minutes. Stir frequently. Stir in the garlic and cook for 15 seconds.
Add the collards and cook for 3 minutes; stir in the chicken broth, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Turn heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours or until very tender.
In the meantime, cook the bacon in a skillet set over medium heat; cook for 4 to 5 minutes or to a desired crispness. Remove from heat and spoon the bacon out with a slotted spoon.
When ready to serve the collard greens, top them with the cooked bacon.
Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust accordingly.
Serve.
Notes
Collard Greens: If you get regular fresh greens, you should first soak and clean them to eliminate dirt and grit. However, if you get a bag of pre-chopped and pre-washed collard greens, you can bypass this step, although a quick rinse in a colander as a precaution is still advisable.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Incorporating apple cider vinegar boosts the taste of the collard greens and reduces their bitterness.
Braising: Begin with sautéing, then transition to a slow braise, which is essential for achieving tender collard greens.
Cooking Time: The precise cooking duration might differ just a bit based on the toughness of the greens. You'll know the collard greens are perfectly cooked when tender and not tough.
Storage: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 to 4 months.