Southern Collard Greens Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Patti Labelle collard greens? ›

Add the collard greens, chicken stock, onions, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt. Mix in the smoked turkey. Turn the heat to low and cook, covered, until the greens are tender but not too soft, 35 minutes.

This might seem like an unusual addition if you're new to making collard greens, but the vinegar adds a welcome tangy note that brightens the dish and balances out the salty, savory flavors. A tablespoon of sugar also helps balance out the greens' potential bitterness.

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.

One of the easiest ways to begin the washing process for collard greens is to thoroughly soak the leaves in cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will loosen any dirt clinging to the leaves and remove any bugs that may be hiding.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and the garlic in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add greens, and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in stock, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and the zest, and cover. Reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

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.

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Let the greens soak for 20-30 minutes, giving them a good scrub midway. The vinegar and salt will help loosen & remove any dirt, grit and bring out any bugs hiding in the greens. Drain the water and soak again in plain water (1-2 times) if the water is dirty and gritty.

The best way to clean collard greens is to soak them. Clean out your sink basin, then plug it and fill it to the top with cold water. Let the collards soak in that water for ten to fifteen minutes.

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.

Why are my collard greens mushy? ›

Yes you can overcook collard greens. If cooked too long, they turn mushy, not so much the stalks, but the thinner leaves.

The chemicals that give collard greens that distinctive bitter taste are called glucosinolates. If you blanch the greens, some of those compounds will be released into the water. First, separate the leaves from the stems.

Make sure you let the water drain out of you collard greens as much as possible. Too much water in your pot will ruin your 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.

Why: Most collard recipes call to discard the stems because they're so fibrous, but if you chop them small, they will cook just like the leafy greens. The finished dish is just as delicious and a lot thriftier than traditional collard greens, and the pleasantly-supple stems give these greens a distinctive bite.

Add about 1/8 cup of vinegar per pot of greens. Add a dash of baking soda to cut gas and keep green... I use about 1/4 cup of the broth and lay the hamhock and whole hot pepper laid on top.