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    Home » Recipes » What Are Collard Greens?

    What Are Collard Greens?

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    You have the best idea for a delicious meal but can’t figure out the perfect side dish. Why not try some collard greens? With their impressively large leaves and fibrous stems, collard greens might not be your first choice of a vegetable. But they're easier to make than you might think, and I’m going to show you how. This collard greens recipe is super simple and seriously irresistible. They’re the perfect quick and healthy side dish. It’s a satisfying way to eat your veggies!

    collard greens on a towel

    Collards are a staple in Southern cooking and part of the cabbage family. However, unlike the sweet, mild taste of white cabbage, collard greens have an earthy, slightly bitter taste similar to Swiss chard. They are traditionally cooked in a long, slow braise. However, collard greens can also be prepared in faster recipes (like this one) and pair well with hearty main dishes. This quick-cooking recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes without sacrificing any flavor.

    WHY WE LOVE COLLARD GREENS

    • Incredibly healthy. Collard greens are packed with vitamins B6, C, and E, and are an excellent source of calcium, folate, and beta-carotene. In addition, their antioxidants may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
    • Quick to make. Because they’re so easy to prepare, they are the perfect side dish for a busy weeknight.
    • Versatile. Collard greens are especially good in stews and in dishes featuring grains and legumes. They are also great in smoothies, though in small amounts.
    • Fantastic with Asian flavors. With grated ginger, a drizzle of tamari or other soy sauce, and some toasted sesame oil, you’ve got a side dish that tastes so good!

    INGREDIENTS

    Here are the ingredients you'll need for a simple collard greens recipe:

    scallions and leafy greens
    • Collard greens
    • Scallions
    • Lemon juice
    • Sea salt and pepper

    INGREDIENT NOTES

    • Collard greens: Trimmed and washed. Remove the tough stems before cooking.
    • Scallions: Aromatics that add great savory flavor to the dish.
    • Lemon juice: The acidity in lemon balances out the greens’ slightly bitter taste. Also, it adds a subtle tang to the dish.
    • Sea salt and pepper: To enhance the other flavors in the dish.
    greens in a woman's hand

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    STEP 1: WASH THE LEAVES 

    Fill a large bowl with water and submerge the greens in the water. Agitate the greens while swishing them around in the water to loosen up any dirt.

    Wash the vegetables in several changes of cool water until no dirt remains at the bottom of the bowl. Drain in a colander.

    Dry the leaves thoroughly by patting them with a towel until all of the moisture is gone.

    green leaves in a bowl

    STEP 2: CUT THE SCALLIONS AND GREENS

    To prepare the scallions, peel off the top layers and cut off the root ends. Wash under cool water and remove any damaged and wilted parts.

    Using a sharp knife, cut the scallions into tiny “coins”, about ⅛ inch thick. Set aside.

    To cut the collard greens, first cut off the tough stems.

    Next, slice the leaves into strips, about ½ inch thick. However, you can cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces if you like.

    sliced scallions in a white bowl

    STEP 3: COOK THE COLLARD GREENS

    Heat up a skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.

    Add the chopped greens, scallions, lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper.

    Cover and cook on high heat for 3 to 5 minutes until they’re tender while stirring occasionally.

    Remove from heat and serve as is or with your favorite dressing.

    EXPERT TIPS

    • Shopping for greens. When shopping for collards, choose dark-green leaves with no discoloration. Also, look for smaller leaves, which are younger and more tender.
    • Give the dish some heat. For a spicy kick, garnish the collard greens with crushed red pepper flakes.
    • How to store fresh collard greens. Wrap unwashed leaves in damp paper towels and store them loosely in a plastic bag. You can refrigerate them for up to five days in the crisper drawer.
    • Swap vinegar with lemon juice. Instead of lemon juice, add a splash of apple cider vinegar for that acidic touch.
    • Use kale instead. If you can’t find collards and still want a greens side dish, kale makes a great substitute because they’re similar.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Are collard greens healthy?

    Yes! This plant is loaded with vitamins A, C, and calcium, is a rich source of vitamin K, and a good source of iron, vitamin B-6, and magnesium. It also contains thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and choline, so feel free to dig in. A bowlful of collards is definitely good for the body!

    How do you prepare collard greens?

    Thoroughly wash the leaves to remove dirt. Remove the stem from the leaf and chop it into pieces. Next, simmer the chopped greens in seasoned water or broth until tender.  Alternatively, you can steam or sauté them for a quick meal. Eat them as is or mix them into other dishes.

    How do you get the bitterness out of collard greens?

    Cooking the collard greens slowly over low heat until they're incredibly tender takes some of the bitterness out of the vegetable. Alternatively, adding salt, acid (in this case, lemon juice), and a touch of sugar also helps to eliminate that bitter taste, giving the dish a more balanced, complex flavor.

    woman holding collard greens

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

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    green leafy vegetables on a table

    Collard Greens


    • Author: Christine Waltermyer
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    With a splash of lemon juice and some savory scallions, these collard greens are yummy, gluten-free, and low-carb.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    ½ to 1 cup of water

    1 bunch collard greens, stems trimmed and leaves cut into small pieces

    1 cup sliced scallions

    Sea salt and pepper to taste

    Splash of lemon juice


    Instructions

    1. Place the water in a large skillet and heat on medium-high heat. Add the collard greens, scallions, sea salt, pepper and lemon juice.

    2. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Serve as is or with your favorite dressing.

    Did you make this recipe?

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    PAIR THIS COLLARD GREENS RECIPE WITH…

    • My kidney beans stew recipe for a hearty, nutritious meal.
    • Or this vegan squash ravioli recipe for the ultimate comfort dish that is delicious and healthy.
    • My vegan scalloped potatoes recipe for a meal that seems so elaborate and elegant, but really couldn’t be simpler to make.

    Natural Kitchen Cooking School, LLC participates in the Amazon Associate program. This means that we may receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you for your support of the work we do here at Natural Kitchen Cooking School!

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