I grew up in Tennessee where collard greens were are regular part of any Sunday dinner. They were slowly cooked all day, usually by a grandmother who learned from her mother and passed down the tradition to her own kids in hopes the recipe would live on and on. Collard greens are soul food in the best way and I have memories of eating them with cornbread hot out of the oven. I created an easy southern collard green recipe that pays tribute to all of the southern women who cooked them before me and I just know that you are going to fall in love with them too.

If you aren’t from the South, you might not be as familiar with collards, but don’t worry, we are about to change that. They are similar to kale in the fact that they are hearty and can hold up to simmering all day on the stove where they just get more delicious and super tender. I like to serve them up with white beans and cornbread or as a side to a holiday meal such as a pork roast, especially on New Year’s Day. I have even been known to fry a couple of eggs and serve them for breakfast! So good…

I cook them down with a bit of bacon, onion, some stock or water, a good sprinkling of salt and pepper, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. The collard greens are just so good with the fat from the bacon and the splash of vinegar that cuts through the flavors perfectly with a little bit of tang. To serve, I highly recommend a good sprinkle of hot sauce over top to really up the flavor profile. I personally just love the bit of spicy with the savory greens.

YUM!

On top of the fact that collard greens tasty to eat, they are also full of vitamins that are great for us, especially in the winter months. They contain vitamin C, K, iron, magnesium, and calcium just to name a few. They really are a great vegetable to start adding into your rotation at this time of year.

You are going to love these easy southern style collard greens and I can’t wait for you to try them out for yourself.

For more collard green recipe ideas try out my New Year’s Eve Lucky Stew and my Collard Green Hash.

Ingredients:

• 10 Cups Shredded Collard Greens (about 3-4 bundles)

• 6 Slices of Bacon (can also use a ham hock)

• 1 Onion, Sliced Thin

• 1 Cup Chicken Stock (can sub water)

• 1 Tbsp. Kosher Salt

• 1 Tsp. Black Pepper

• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions:

• Sauté bacon in a large dutch oven until crispy and remove from the pan.

• Add onion to the bacon renderings and start adding the collard greens a little at a time filling the pot. Season with 1/2 the salt and pepper and then add 1/2 of the stock. Stir and put lid on until the collard greens start to wilt.

• Add in the rest of the collard greens and stock and repeat until all greens have been added.

• Season with the rest of the salt and pepper and pour in apple cider vinegar.

• Cook for 2-3 hours until greens are tender.

• Taste test and adjust seasoning if necessary.

• Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Tip: Soak greens in water to remove dirt and sand from the leaves and then rinse and dry. Remove the thick part of the stem and discard before chopping.

My mouth is watering just thinking about these greens. They really are so delicious and I know you are going to love them too.