Southern Collard Greens
w/Bacon & Sweet Onions

 

About this recipe:

A very southern dish, eaten year round, and traditionally served on New Year’s Day, the greens are a symbol of prosperity, the green color representing money and good fortune in the year to come. Stewed greens are typically served with apple cider vinegar or sport pepper vinegar (See our Recipe Here). Collards are nutrient dense, high in fiber, and grow nearly year round, making them the perfect any-time greens side dish!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Bunch Collard Greens (about 1 pound)

  • 1 Large Sweet Onion (preferably Vidalia)

  • 8 oz Thick Cut Smoked Bacon (We like NH’s North Country Smokehouse bacon!)

  • Neutral Oil (like sunflower, safflower, or canola)

  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt

  • 1 Cup Water

  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Directions:

Thoroughly rinse and drain Collard Greens. Remove the thick stems, and cut them into 1/2-inch lengths. Stack the leaves and roll into a “cigar” like tube as tightly as possible. Slice down the length of the roll, then crosswise at 1-inch intervals. Cut bacon into 1-inch strips. Dice the sweet onion.

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add about 1 Tablespoon of Oil (enough to barely coat the bottom of the pan), and add the chopped Bacon. Cook over medium-low heat to render the fat out of the bacon without crisping or browning (about 5 minutes). Add the diced Sweet Onion, and stir to combine. Cook until onion is translucent (about 5 minutes more). Add the Collard Greens and sprinkle with Kosher Salt. Pour 1 cup of Water over the greens, stir, and increase heat to medium-high until water starts to simmer.

Once simmering, cover the pot with a tight fitting lid, and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, returning the lid after, until the thickest stems are fork tender (30-45 minutes).

Remove from heat and stir in black pepper. Taste and add salt to your taste preference (if needed).

Serve with a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar or Sport Pepper Sauce.

Notes:

  • You can use a yellow onion in place of a sweet onion. Just add a Tablespoon of sugar or honey to add a little sweetness.

  • A smoked ham hock, or leftover smoked ham bone can be used in place of bacon.

  • A vegan alternative can be made by replacing the kosher salt with 1 Tablespoon of smoked salt, added at the end of the cooking process.