20 Best Recipe For Southern Style Collard Greens Unlock Flavor Sensations!
Published on: Mar 27, 2024
If you're craving a hearty and flavorful side dish to accompany your next southern-inspired meal, look no further than collard greens. This staple of southern cuisine is not only delicious, but also packed with nutrients, making it the perfect addition to any plate. But with so many different recipes out there, it can be overwhelming to find the best one. That's why we've compiled our top recipe for southern style collard greens that is sure to become a family favorite.
Let's start with the classic. This recipe for Southern-style collard greens is a tried and true favorite. The greens are cooked low and slow with bacon, onion, and garlic for a rich and flavorful side dish. The addition of apple cider vinegar gives these greens a tangy kick that pairs perfectly with the beer can chicken.
If you want to add a little extra protein to your collard greens, try this recipe that uses ham instead of bacon. The ham adds a smoky flavor to the greens and pairs well with the honey and mustard in the sauce. This dish is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but also makes a great side dish for your beer can chicken.
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Vegan Southern-Style Collard Greens
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Virgin Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic Cloves
For those following a plant-based diet, this vegan collard greens recipe is a must-try. It uses vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to cook the greens, and adds coconut milk for a creamy and flavorful twist. This dish is also packed with garlic and ginger for added health benefits and a spicy kick.
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"Southern Style" Collard Greens Pesto
Main Ingredients: Leaves, Collard Greens, Chopped Pecans, Dried Basil
If you're feeling adventurous, try this unique take on collard greens using them to make a pesto. The combination of collard greens, basil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese creates a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, sandwiches, or even as a marinade for your beer can chicken. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover collard greens.
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Easy Southern Style Collard Greens
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Vidalia Onion, Bacon Fat, Large Garlic
This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a quick and easy meal. The collard greens are cooked in a slow cooker with smoked turkey and onion for a flavorful and tender dish. The best part? You can set it and forget it, leaving you with plenty of time to prepare your beer can chicken.
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Southern Style Collard Greens with Ham
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Onion, Garlic, Ham, Kosher Salt, Ground
For a heartier version of the previous recipe, try this one that uses smoked turkey instead of bacon or ham. The smoky flavor of the turkey pairs perfectly with the collard greens and hot sauce adds a spicy kick. This dish is perfect for a cold winter night, and the leftovers make a great addition to your beer can chicken sandwiches the next day.
If you're lucky enough to have access to fresh collard greens, this recipe is a must-try. The greens are sautéed with garlic and onion for a simple and delicious side dish. The key to this recipe is not overcooking the greens, so they retain their bright green color and crisp texture.
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Southern-Style Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Main Ingredients: Collards, Butter, Olive Oil, Leeks, Yellow Onion
This recipe for Southern collard greens is a little different from the others on this list. Instead of cooking the greens with the beer can chicken, they are served on top of it. The collard greens are first blanched and then sautéed with bacon and garlic before being placed on the chicken to create a flavorful and beautiful presentation.
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Fresh Southern-Style Collard Greens
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Bacon, Water, Chopped Onion, Kosher
For a more traditional take on collard greens, this recipe is the way to go. The greens are cooked with ham hocks for a rich and smoky flavor, and apple cider vinegar is added for a tangy kick. This dish is perfect for a Sunday dinner with the family, and pairs well with a cold beer can chicken.
For a truly authentic Southern-style meal, try this recipe for collard greens that uses smoked ham hocks and fatback for a rich and indulgent flavor. The greens are slow-cooked to perfection and are a great complement to your beer can chicken. Serve with some cornbread for the ultimate soul food experience.
Another delicious vegan option, this recipe uses mushrooms to add a meaty texture and flavor to the collard greens. The greens are cooked with coconut milk and vegetable broth for a creamy and flavorful dish. This recipe is also packed with spices like cumin and coriander for a unique twist on traditional collard greens.
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Southern Style Collard Greens - Soul Food
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Turkey Necks, Yellow Onion, Water
This recipe stays true to the classic Southern-style collard greens, but adds a little extra flavor with smoked paprika and bay leaves. The greens are cooked with chicken broth and bacon for a rich and hearty dish that is perfect for serving alongside your beer can chicken.
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Vegan Southern-Style Collard Greens With Mushrooms
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Cremini Mushrooms, Vegetable
Last but not least, we have to include a recipe that combines beer can chicken and collard greens. This one-pot meal is perfect for a lazy weekend dinner and couldn't be easier to make. Simply place the beer can chicken on top of the collard greens and let the flavors meld together as they cook. The result is a delicious and comforting meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prepping the Greens
Gather Fresh Ingredients
To start off, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for the perfect batch of collard greens. Fresh collard greens are a must, so head to your local farmer's market or grocery store to pick some up. You'll also need bacon, onion, garlic, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Having all these ingredients on hand ensures that your collard greens will be flavorful and well-balanced.
Clean and Chop the Greens
Before cooking, it's important to properly clean and chop your collard greens. Begin by removing the tough stems and ribs, then wash the leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Once clean, stack the leaves on top of each other and roll them into a tight cylinder. Chop the greens into thin ribbons for a more manageable and evenly cooked dish.
Cooking the Greens
Cook the Bacon and Onions
In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in the bacon grease until translucent, adding a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning.
Add the Greens and Liquid
Once the onions are cooked, add in the chopped collard greens and stir to coat in the bacon grease. Next, pour in chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the greens are tender.
Finishing Touches
Crunchy Toppings
To add some texture and flavor to your collard greens, consider adding some crunchy toppings. Crumble the cooked bacon from earlier and sprinkle it on top of the greens before serving. You can also add some chopped pecans or bread crumbs for an extra crunch.
Serve and Enjoy
Once your collard greens are tender and flavorful, it's time to serve them up and enjoy! These greens make a perfect side dish for any southern meal, and can also be served as a main dish with some added protein. Garnish with some chopped green onions and serve alongside your favorite southern dishes for a truly delicious and nutritious meal.
In Conclusion
With this recipe, you'll have perfectly cooked and flavorful southern style collard greens every time. The combination of fresh ingredients, proper prep and cooking techniques, and added toppings make this recipe a standout among the many out there. So next time you're in need of a tasty and nutritious side dish, give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with your southern cooking skills.
