Pot-Roasted Collard Greens Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: thirschfeld

December29,2013

5

3 Ratings

  • Serves 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

This recipe is totally based on Thomas Keller's recipe from his book Ad Hoc at Home. If you have never roasted collards or any other green, I highly recommend it. Pot-roasting them add a dimension not possible by simmering with water. The flavor becomes deep and resonant. —thirschfeld

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 8 cupscollard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped into 1-inch squares, then rinsed twice and dried
  • 1/2 cupbacon lardons
  • 1 tablespoonunsalted butter
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 300? F.
  2. Place a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (with a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat. Add the bacon and let it start to render, then add the butter.
  3. Once the butter has melted, add half of the greens. Season them with a heavy pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Stir and turn under the greens so they are coated with fat. Add the rest of the greens and repeat the seasoning and turning.
  4. Cover the pot with the tight fitting lid and slide it into the oven. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, remove the lid, and stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Put the lid back on and let the collards set until ready to serve.

Tags:

  • American
  • Collard Greens
  • Vegetable
  • Bacon
  • Slow Cooker
  • One-Pot Wonders
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
  • Winter
  • Fall
  • Gluten-Free

Popular on Food52

18 Reviews

Patty December 2, 2023

Outstanding delicious and easy recipe. I used the pre-washed sliced collard greens from Lidl (10 oz) but stuck to the recipe otherwise. I am a Southern girl (66 yrs young) born & raised and these are THE BEST I have ever tasted. Thanks for such a great recipe!

Pam January 3, 2019

I found this to be outstanding. Such an earthy flavor - like the essence of the collards. Another reviewer mentioned the absence of "likker" and I too was surprised by the lack of liquid - but I tell myself that this method allows the nutrients to be retained by the leaves. And I also loved that the method didn't make the house smell like collards, and was relatively easy. Thanks!

Juliebell September 24, 2017

Fall is coming and I'm ready to bring this recipe out again. Delicious with roast pork, ham or roast chicken. Thanks again for posting this.

george May 4, 2017

What would be the likker for this? I've bee making collards, mainly for the likker; for years. This is outstanding: the way they should be made. But, I want a likker. Delicious AF recipe.

Fairmount_market September 5, 2015

I made these with chorizo in place of bacon and they were spectacular on tacos with pinto beans.

Ascender December 25, 2014

I was disappointed with this -- but I had to use kale. My store didn't have any collards. I stuffed about half of it into trout then baked them. Lemon juice helped a bit. Will try again next time I find collards.

AntoniaJames November 22, 2014

Incredible. One of the best new dishes I've tried in a good long while. On the menu for our Jeffersonian Yuletide celebration. And buying two bunches of collards tomorrow, to make this again! ;o)

thirschfeld November 22, 2014

Thanks Antonia! I, still, make this recipe at least once a week. I am so happy you enjoyed it.

Juliebell January 19, 2014

My first comment seems to have disappeared. This recipe is excellent. Very easy prep and wonderful flavor.

Linda January 15, 2014

What exactly is a collard green? I'm Australian and I've never seen them. Would English spinach or silverbeet be a substitute? I think Americans call silverbeet chard.

Woodekf January 15, 2014

Turnip greens and chard could probably be substituted, but both are fairly bitter. If I have to substitute, I go with kale, which is firmer, yet mild like the collard green. Excellent with keilbasa. And sometimes go Asian and use bok choy or Chinese broccoli. Man! Now I have to get something green and leafy to eat!

Linda January 16, 2014

Turnip greens? I don't think we have that either :) Bok choy and chinese broccoli are kitchen staples here. Many thanks for the clarification - reading foreign food blogs is always an education!

Ashley B. November 10, 2014

The English refer to them as spring greens; perhaps you, too, know them by this name?

ATG117 January 7, 2014

Never read about this technique. I may try it with a veg friendly fat as opposed to the bacon.

Kinhaven January 3, 2014

I use 3oz of packaged pancetta and it comes out great.

Woodekf January 1, 2014

Please! Tell me this is good for you!

Barb M. December 31, 2013

what are bacon lardons??

What W. January 1, 2014

Lardons are just bacon cut into thin strips, usually about 1" by 1/4".

Pot-Roasted Collard Greens Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What does adding vinegar to collard greens do? ›

When vinegar is added to collard greens, it helps to break down some of the tough fibers in the greens and tenderize them. Additionally, the acidity in the vinegar can help to enhance the flavors of other ingredients in the dish, such as onions, garlic, and smoked meats.

How many pounds of collard greens do you need to feed 50 people? ›

Pour 3 quarts (about 5 pounds 1 ounce) collard greens into a steam table pan (12" x 20" x 2½"). For 25 servings, use 1 pan. For 50 servings, use 2 pans.

What makes collards taste good? ›

Collard greens have a slightly bitter, earthy taste with a chewy texture. Some people describe them as being similar to kale, but with a milder flavor. They are commonly cooked with seasoning such as garlic, onions, and smoked meat to add flavor.

Why does collard greens take so long to cook? ›

Long cooking time.

Slowly cooking collard greens not only softens the tough leaves, it also tames the leaves' bitter flavor.

What can I put on my greens to make them taste better? ›

Onion- Yellow onions will add flavor to the greens. Garlic– Garlic will compliment the flavor of the onion and greens. Red Pepper Flakes– Red Pepper flakes will add some slight heat to the greens. Fully-Cooked Smoked Turkey Leg- This is the best alternative for those who prefer not to use pork.

What takes the bitterness out of collards? ›

The foods that help reduce bitterness are: Salt while cooking and/or while eating (like on bitter salad greens) Sweet or Spicy. Sour or Acids like lemon or vinegar.

What is the best meat for collard greens? ›

The most authentic collard greens, in my opinion, are made with smoked ham hocks or bacon. But, as time has passed, society has gotten more health conscious. So, many families began using alternatives such as smoked turkey necks, wings, and tails.

How many bunches of collard greens to feed 10 people? ›

Collard greens cook down a tremendous amount, so if you're looking to feed a large group, buy at least 2 large bunches for this recipe, which depending on the size of the bunches, will feed 6-8 people, or more.

What are 3 ways you can eat collard greens? ›

10 Delicious Ways to Eat Collard Greens
  • Rolled up in a Wrap. This is where the sturdiness of these leaves pays off big time. ...
  • Mixed into a Meaty Braise. ...
  • Stirred into Soup. ...
  • Cooked into a Stir-Fry. ...
  • Shredded into a Casserole. ...
  • Puréed into Pesto. ...
  • Added to Chili. ...
  • In Salads and Slaws.

What are the side effects of collard greens? ›

Collard greens are healthy for you, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Collard greens are full of fiber, which takes longer for your body to digest than many other substances. Eating too much fiber at once can lead to uncomfortable side effects like bloating or gas.

Why do Southerners eat collard greens? ›

While black-eyed peas are said to have the power to bring luck, they also provide hearty, nutritious meals during the winter months because of their volume when cooked. Similarly, collard greens symbolize money and hope for the future, but are hardy crops able to survive harsh winter temperatures.

Are collard greens good for your kidneys? ›

Green lettuce, kale, arugula and collard greens are the low potassium greens that can easily be including in a kidney-friendly diet 💚 🚨 BUT, it's important to remember that the amount of potassium in 1 cup of these greens changes as you cook 🧑🏻‍🍳 M. How well do you know your kidney-friendly leafy greens?

Why put baking soda in collard greens? ›

Baking soda has infinite uses in cooking and beyond: It's a leavening agent, an odor neutralizer, and an antacid to name a few. In the case of collard greens, baking soda's utility is threefold, serving as a flavor enhancer, a tenderizer, and a color protector.

Can you overcook collard greens? ›

It is important to not overcook collard greens or kale, as they tend to give off a sulfur smell and taste bitter. Cut the leaves into one-half inch strips and steam for 5 minutes on the stove. Collard greens make a great addition to eggs and bean soup or can be served alone as a steamed vegetable with a dressing.

What season does collard greens do best in? ›

In warm climates, collards do best when planted in the fall, as this allows them to mature during cooler weather. (They will bolt in the heat of summer!) Plus, collard greens taste even better when “kissed” by frost and will grow through snow.

When should I add vinegar to my collard greens? ›

Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, then remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and add the vinegar and a teaspoon of hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning, if needed, then put it into a serving bowl.

Why do you soak greens in vinegar? ›

However, if you're looking for a green and cost-effective way to clean up that produce, our favorite way is to washing vegetables wiith vinegar and water. Research suggests that this simple trick can remove pesticides and kill up to 98% of bacteria.

Does vinegar take the bitterness out of greens? ›

Acids, like vinegar and citrus juice, help to brighten up bitter greens and provide a light contrasting flavor.

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