Perfect Southern Collard Greens (VIDEO)

Perfect Southern Collard Greens Recipe – How to cook collard greens. This recipe comes straight off the menu at Homegrown, a local restaurant we love. They are hearty, rich, and comforting. Just how grandma used to make them!

Collards from Asheville’s HomeGrown Restaurant

Today we are serving up Homegrown’s Perfect Southern Collard Greens with bacon and turnips!

Asheville locals Greg and Miki Kilpatrick opened their first business in 2007. Their catering company, Saffron, has been serving up regional flavors for the past four years.

Homegrown opened its doors October 4th, 2010, serving up farm-conscious food with a southern flair. Within the first week, their dining area was packed and their patron list continues to grow.

Today’s fabulous recipe for Collard Greens is generously provided by Greg and Miki. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

The Home of Collard Greens

Chef Greg focuses on using only ingredients that support our community. They say it’s a philosophy that stems from a Mediterranean way of living; to cook with simple ingredients that are in-season, available, and affordable.

Their goal is to take food the shortest distance from the farm to the table.

Miki shared a deeper goal of helping provide a stable market for our local farmers to sell their harvest, that is, all of their harvest.

She brought up the point that pesticide-free, vine-ripened produce doesn’t necessarily mean “pretty.”

All Food Is Great Food

Being in the food industry for many years, she’s watched restaurants take only the most attractive produce, leaving farmers with excess they may have a hard time selling.

Restaurants that want to have regional farms provide their food need to consider that ugly tomatoes make just as tasty a sauce as flawless tomatoes.

Buying local produce that is “B” quality in appearance, keeps the cost down, and still allows Homegrown to use the freshest possible ingredients.

Miki wants to build a market that uses the surplus, reduces waste, and keeps farmers on their land doing what they do best.

She stated with conviction, “Homegrown will never be a profit-driven business.” Of course, they want to provide for their little ones. Of course, they want their restaurant to flourish, but they are driven by a greater desire to build sustainability throughout Western North Carolina.

Southern Collard Greens Recipe Ingredients

• Bacon Strips (or a smoked ham hock)
• Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Turnips
• Collard Greens Bunches (or mustard greens)
• Chicken Stock
• Vegetable Stock
• Nutmeg
• Salt and Pepper

How to Cook Collard Greens

This is a very simple recipe, and good for the soul. It only requires a few steps to make this amazing dish!

1. Render. Render the bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and turnips. This will take about five to eight minutes.
2. Saute. Once everything is translucent, add in the collard greens, stir and saute it all together for about 10 minutes. The bacon grease adds much flavor. 
3. Add and Simmer. Then add in the chicken broth and vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Then reduce and simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Season. Season this side dish with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Enjoy! (If you want some heat you can add red pepper flakes.)

Get the Full (Printable) How To Cook Southern Collard Greens Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I soak the collard greens?

Soaking collards is a standard part of the cleaning process. I usually soak my dark green leaves just to make sure that I get all the dirt that might be stuck to the leaves and stems. Fill up the sink with water and let them soak for about 10 minutes while stirring them in all directions to loosen the dirt that might be lingering. You can also do this in a large bowl.

Are fresh Collard Greens healthy?

Collards are known as a superfood because, just like kale, collard greens are one of the most nutrient-filled foods. Eating collards is a great way to load up on vitamins and minerals. Collard greens can activate your immune system, which in turn, can help fight inflammation in your body. You can find them at your local grocery store. 

How do you get the bitterness out of collards?

On occasion, collard greens can have a slightly bitter note. If your greens have a more bitter taste, adding a little salt or lemon juice will help bring down the bitterness.

Can you eat too many collard greens?

It’s unlikely you could (or would) consume too many collard greens. However, eating too many greens, just like spinach, could result in some unpleasant abdominal pain. As with all foods, enjoy with moderation.

How long does this recipe last?

Leftover greens could last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. You can also store cooked greens in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Other Southern Recipes

Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, protein, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.

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