Collard greens have deep roots in Southern cooking. They’re a fixture on New Year’s Day, when eating greens is said to bring prosperity in the year ahead. Chef Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red in Nashville serves them alongside black-eyed peas every January 1. “It’s something my mom has always done, and I think my grandparents, too,” she says. “It’s a superstitious thing.”
Sullivan’s collard greens get their savory, subtly smoky flavor from bacon, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes. They simmer until silky-tender in just under an hour, then get a sweet-tart finish from apple cider vinegar and a little sugar. This recipe intentionally leans tangy. If you like your collard greens less acidic, start with 2 Tbsp. vinegar instead of the full ¼ cup, then add more to taste.
Collard greens FAQs
How do you clean and prep collard greens?
Remove the tough center ribs and stems. Next, stack the leaves, roll them up, and slice them crosswise into 1″-thick strips. Dunk the prepped collard greens into a large bowl (or sink!) filled with water. Swish the leaves around to loosen the grit and let them sit for a few minutes. Remove the greens from their container (don’t pour them out or the grit will get back on the leaves) and shake to remove excess liquid. There is no need to dry the collard greens for this recipe; a little bit of water helps them steam and wilt down.
Why do you add vinegar to collard greens?
Vinegar balances collard greens’ earthy, slightly bitter flavor and cuts through the richness of the bacon and broth. Adding it near the end of cooking keeps its flavor bright. This recipe calls for ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, but you can start with half that amount and adjust to taste.
Can I make these collard greens without bacon?
Yes. The bacon is optional, so you can simply leave it out, or trade it for beef or turkey bacon. For vegetarian collard greens, also swap the chicken broth for water or vegetable broth and add savory depth with a spoonful of miso paste.
What other types of greens work with this recipe?
Any sturdy cooking greens can work here, but expect differences in flavor and cooking time. Mustard greens and turnip greens are equally beloved in the South; either will make a slightly sharper, more peppery batch of greens. Kale is also a fine alternative. More delicate Swiss chard will become tender much faster, so reduce the cooking time accordingly.
Recipe information
Ingredients
oz. slab bacon, finely chopped (optional)
tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
lb. collard greens (about 3 bunches), ribs and stems removed, leaves sliced crosswise 1″ thick
cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
tsp. sugar
Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
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Step 1
Heat 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Add 4 oz. slab bacon, finely chopped, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until some fat begins to collect in pot and bacon starts to look shiny, about 5 minutes. Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 5–7 minutes. Add 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, and 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 2
Add 3 lb. collard greens (about 3 bunches), ribs and stems removed, leaves sliced crosswise 1″ thick, to pot a large handful at a time, letting greens wilt slightly after each addition before adding more. Add 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until greens are wilted and have lost about half of their volume, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover pot, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender and liquid is almost completely evaporated, 25–30 minutes.
Step 3
Stir ¼ cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp. sugar into collard greens and cook until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Editor’s note:This recipe for collard greens was first published in our December 2017 issue; it has been updated for style. Head this way for more ideas for your New Year’s table →
SideCollard GreensLeafy GreensVegetableBaconCured MeatMeatBraiseNew Year’sGluten-FreeNut-Free
