Us southerners are SERIOUS about our collard greens… really serious! Over the years I’ve adjusted my recipe here and there and have finally gotten collards as close to my grandma’s as I can get: I LOVE these Southern Style Collard Greens!
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If you have a tried and trusted recipe for collard greens, this post probably isn’t for you. COOK ON! BUT, if you were like me several years ago and literally freak out at the thought of cooking collards, read on.
I don’t like “stemmy” collards so I cut the large stem portion out of each collard leaf, then rinse. It takes a little time but so worth it. Because collards are important. You just can’t be screwing them up.
I had a lot of people to ask me if I used pig tails in my collards. I consider myself pretty southern but I’m sorry… I just can’t go there! 😮 I use a slab of cured salt pork that I dice into about 1/4-inch pieces. You can also use thick cut bacon slices.
My original photo April 2012
The first time I cooked collards it was Thanksgiving and I was a nervous wreck. I bought TWO LARGE CARDBOARD BOXES overflowing with collards so if I screwed them up I’d have backup. For real. Fortunately, they turned out decent and we just ate a lot of collards for a while which was no problem!
What’s your favorite way to cook collards?
Published originally on April 6, 2012 and updated October 19, 2016.
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Southern Style Collard Greens
Prep Time: 30 mins- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 mins
Yield: 4-6 servings
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 large (48-ounce) container chicken broth
- 6 ounces salt pork, diced into about 1/4-inch pieces (or 6-8 slices thick cut bacon, diced)
- 1 bunch collard greens, large stem portion removed and rinsed well
- 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh cracked pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Stack 3 to 4 collard leaves and roll into a “log”. Slice the log into ribbons. Cut ribbons into 2 to 3-inch pieces.
- In a large stock pot or dutch oven, bring 1 cup of the chicken broth to a boil over medium high heat. Add pork pieces and cook for 1 minute.
- Add remaining chicken broth to the pot and return to a boil.
- Slowly add collard leaf ribbons, 1 big handful at a time, stirring in-between.
- Add salt, pepper, molasses and red wine vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 50-55 minutes, or until leaves are tender (but not mushy!).
- Drain off pot liquor in a colander and serve.
These collard greens melt in your mouth! True love.
HI u cook ur greens sorted like my grammomma
Perfect! Just like my grandmother in Beaufort, NC would have cooked them!
Thanks, Arthur! This post made me miss my grandma and her collards… there’s just nothing like collards in our grandma’s kitchen! 🙂
I’ve always cooked the whole leaf and then chopped post cooking. I like the pre-cut idea much better. Instead of salted pork or bacon I pick up some country ham pieces and use those. I’ve not tried the molasses or vinegar but I’m going to try that on my next pot! I have tried sugar but molasses sound awesome.
BTW…Loved the video about buying them and your response to cooking them inside! I usually cook them outside only because I cook so many at once and use a HUGE pot (like I use for a low country boil). Then I share and freeze some. My family loves them!
Thanks so much, Al! There’s just something I love about the molasses… I hope you like it, too when you make them! 🙂
Do you think this could be done in the crock pot?
Hi Kris! I’ve never made collards in a slow cooker and have known anyone to do it so I can’t say. I grew up with my family always cooking them on a stove top or an outdoor burner. Let me know how they turn out if you try it and good luck! Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes! on the crock pot. It works perfectly.
What can you use instead of molasses? Honey?
Hi Patti, I’ve used granulated sugar in place of molasses but I’ve never used honey. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
I don’t use chicken broth, however I put either bacon or salt pork in a cup and a half of water and let that boil then simmer for 30 minutes. I then put my collard green ribbons in the water and let them simmer for an hour to an hour and a half. I don’t add any sweetener or vinegar and they taste delicious. You can transfer the seasoned water to a Crock-Pot or slow cooker and then add the ribbons of collard greens. They taste delicious.
Grandma made hers with bacon. I use smoked turkey wings or smoked turkey leg; the smoked meat adds to the flavor.
I’ve never had collards with smoked turkey… sounds amazingly delicious, Joell! 🙂