This is THE best Southern Collard Greens recipe, hands down! How can I say that, well, because it’s my mama’s recipe and if there is one thing she prides herself on (besides pound cakes, of course) it’s her collard greens. You’ve got fresh collard greens gently simmering, getting all tender and cozy in a hearty, delicious pot likker. And this ain’t just any pot likker (not sure what that is – you’ll want to look it up!) – it is PACKED with the rich flavors of smoky ham hock and onions, seasoned just right to tickle your taste buds. Sure, there’s more than one way to whip up some collard greens, but down here my mama and I swear by this method. Low, slow, and with a whole lotta love!
This is the best recipe I have found! Perfect blend of heat, sweet and spice. Family can’t get enough. The pot likker is downright drinkable! – Ellie
This Collard Greens recipe is a tribute to not only my childhood but to almost every other Southerner. I’ve watched the hands that groomed and raised me make collard greens for decades, and the entire process was always so magical. That’s exactly why I included my Big Mama (grandmother’s) and my mama’s hands in this post showing you how to make them too. The heritage and love associated with making greens for your family is something that can never be replaced!
We just love our greens, whether they be turnip, mustard, or collard. Just about every Southerner has a personal favorite and with such unique, individual flavors I don’t blame them. This is true Southern cooking at its finest! But in my opinion, traditional Southern collard greens are the most popular greens in the South. Give ’em a try and you’ll see what I’m talking about!
Add prepared greens (greens should have stems removed, washed, and torn into pieces). Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour or until greens are tender. Taste and add additional seasonings like vinegar, salt, and pepper if needed.
How to clean Collard Greens
Alright, y’all, let’s talk about the most crucial step in making this greens recipe sing – getting those leaves super clean. Now, I can’t stress enough how important this part is. Collard greens are known to collect a bit of grit and dirt from the fields, and nothing ruins a good bite of greens like a crunch of grit. So, we gotta show these babies a little TLC to get them ready for the pot!
First things first, you’ll want to fill your kitchen sink with lukewarm water. Not too hot, not too cold – just right to loosen up any of that stubborn grit. Then, take your collard greens, give them a good dunk in the water, and spread the leaves apart. Swish them around a bit, and with a bit of a scrubbing motion using your hands, carefully wash each leaf. You’re looking to lift off any dirt without damaging those beautiful greens. This is where the love part comes in – be gentle, but thorough.
After you’ve given them a good scrub, lift the greens out of the water, let the dirty water out, give your sink a quick rinse, and fill it back up with fresh lukewarm water. Submerge the greens again, give them another scrub, and rinse.
This process must be done over and over and over again. My mother believes in washing greens until you don’t see any grit left in the water in your sink. We like to use the deepest sink bowl available in the house so if this means washing greens in your home’s laundry room, so be it! Just make sure you clean the sink out first before adding them. This will allow the greens to achieve a better texture and soak in more flavor.
It’s funny that I’m just now commenting on this recipe because I’ve made it for years! I live in southern Alabama and no collards around here compare to these! I sometimes like to use a turkey drum, both ways are fantastic! –Nichole
How To Store & Reheat This Collard Greens Recipe
Now that you’ve learned how to make the best southern collard greens recipe (not to brag, but… It is!), you have to learn how to keep its deliciousness for as long as possible. Your best bet is simply transfering them into an airtight container and popping it in the fridge And don’t forget about the pot likker – it’s liquid gold! Store any extra in a separate airtight container to keep it fresh and flavorful.
Reheating your Southern collard greens is a breeze! You’ve got two handy options: the stovetop or the microwave. For the stovetop, just pour the greens and a little pot likker into a pot and warm them over medium heat until heated through. Prefer the microwave? Place the greens in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until they’re just right.
HOW TO MAKE EASY TENDER SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS AND BACON
FAQ
Why are my collard greens still tough?
Can you cook collard greens too long?
How do you make collard greens not tough?
How do you make collard greens tender?
Remove the tough stems: One of the main reasons collard greens can be tough is due to their thick, fibrous stems. To make the leaves tender, start by removing the stems. Simply hold the base of the leaf with one hand and slide your other hand along the stem to strip the leaf away. Discard the stems and focus on cooking the leaves.
How to freeze collard greens?
The best thing to do is to purchase frozen collard greens to get rid of some of the steps. If you have collard greens, you want to freeze you first want to partially cook them by steaming or boiling them in water. Make sure not to cook them too much because you don’t want them to be mushy. After they return to room temperature you can place them in a freezer safe ziploc bag and press out as much air as possible. You can then put them in the freezer, and they can last at least a few months.
How long do collard greens last?
Store: Cooked Collard Greens will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze: Once completely cooled, seal Collard Greens in an airtight container or plastic bag and freeze up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop.
How to cook collard greens?
Chop the meat from the ham hocks and stir it into the greens. And then serve with vinegar on the side for drizzling on each serving, if desired. With this method of how to cook collard greens, you’ll have one pot of silky, tender, and flavorful greens for sure – cooked up in true Southern style.