8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (2024)

By

Diana Rattray

8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (1)

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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Updated on 01/16/20

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Southerners love their greens. Though they might try new recipes from time to time, nothing is more comforting than the traditional pork-seasoned dish of turnip greens, kale, collardsormustard greens. And in true Southern tradition, greens must be served up with freshly baked cornbread for dipping with a side of pepper sauce (vinegar and smallhot chili peppers).

For some of us, the least enjoyable part of preparing fresh greens is getting all the grit off the leaves (though it's even more unpleasant to eat badly cleaned greens). The easiest way to clean them is directly in the sink or a very large pot filled with cold water. After the tough stems and heavy ribs are cut out and discarded, place the leaves in the cold water. Let them soak for a few minutes, then swish around to loosen grit and sand and drain. Repeat the process two or three times, depending on how gritty the leaves are. Even if you buy "cleaned" greens, swish them a time or two just to make sure.

Whether you're looking for traditional Southern flavor or something new and different, you'll likely find something to try from the recipes below.

  • 01 of 08

    Southern Turnip Greens with Ham Shanks​

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (2)

    Nothing could be more Southern than ham cooked with turnip greens.For this recipe, you can use ham shanks or leftover smoked ham if you happen to have some in the fridge. Serve with cornbread for a quintessential down-South dish.

  • 02 of 08

    Swiss Chard With Bacon

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (3)

    As we all know, everything is better with bacon—and Swiss chard is no exception. If you are a fan of spinach, you will love Swiss chard as these greens are very similar. A simple, one-pot dish, this recipe of greens, bacon, onion and Cajun seasoning is ideal for your next cookout.

  • 03 of 08

    Dandelion Greens With Garlic

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (4)

    We all know dandelions are weeds, but did you also know they are a tasty and nutritious green?Sauteed with onion, garlic, and hot chili peppers, the dandelion greens will bring a punch of flavor to any meal. If you decide to pick your own dandelion greens, be sure to do so in an area that is not sprayed with chemical pesticides.

  • 04 of 08

    Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (5)

    Black-eyed peas and collard greens—can't think of a combination that sounds more Southern. After cooking the bacon, onion, and greens in a skillet, all of the ingredients are placed in a slow cooker and left to become a tender and flavorful dish that can be a main meal when served with a side of cornbread and tomato salad.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.

  • 05 of 08

    Collard Greens With Okra (2 Ways)

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (6)

    The beauty of this recipe is it can be cooked in two different ways—ideal when you either are in a rush or have a bit of time to put dinner together. The first method is beyond simple, where you place all of the ingredients in a cast-iron skillet and bring to a boil. Alternatively, you can saute the bacon, onion, and greens first and then add the chicken broth and seasonings to cook for 45 minutes.

  • 06 of 08

    Mixed Greens With Ham Hocks

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (7)

    Ham hocks are an essential ingredient in Southern cooking. The ham hock (also called pork knuckle) is the shank end of the pig's leg bone and requires a long cooking time to tenderize the meat.In this recipe,collard and turnip greens are cooked with the ham hocks to create a rich and flavorful dish. Don't forget to serve cornbread alongside to soak up the "pot liquor" left over after cooking.

  • 07 of 08

    Spicy Kale and Mustard Greens With Cajun Sausage

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (8)

    If you're looking for a way to spice up dinnertime, this greens and sausage recipe is sure to do the trick. The andouille or Cajun-style sausage contributes complex flavors with a bit of kick. An extra dash of Cajun seasoning makes this dish a spicy one, ideal alongside a cooling slaw and cornbread.

  • 08 of 08

    Southern-Style Turnip Greens With Salt Pork

    8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (9)

    In traditional Southern recipes, turnip greens are usually cooked with ham or pork. This recipe uses salt pork, which can be one of three cuts—pork side, pork belly, or fatback—that is cured in salt.The salt pork must be prepared before cooking by removing the salt coating, rinsing and then cutting off the skin and fat.

8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens (2024)

FAQs

How to make Patti Labelle 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.

What are the most popular greens to cook? ›

All types of greens that are sturdy and leafy, such as chard, kale, mustard, beet, collard, and turnip greens, are known as cooking greens. They bring valuable nutrients to your diet and some flavor and color to your table.

What do you soak collard greens in before cooking? ›

Here's how to properly wash collard greens.
  1. Fill your sink with water, and then add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 3 tablespoons salt. ( ...
  2. Swish this around, and then submerged your greens in the water. ...
  3. Let the greens soak for 20-30 minutes, giving them a good scrub midway.
Aug 1, 2021

What to serve with southern collard greens? ›

If you're looking for what to serve with collard greens, read on for these, and other mouthwatering sides.
  1. Cornbread. Do you remember that old pair, Batman and Robin? ...
  2. Grilled Chicken. ...
  3. Smothered pork chops. ...
  4. Black-Eyed Peas. ...
  5. Fried Catfish. ...
  6. Grandma's Best Creamy Mac & Cheese Ever. ...
  7. Pickled Onions. ...
  8. Sweet Potato Casserole.
Oct 16, 2023

What does adding vinegar to collard greens do? ›

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.

Why put baking soda in collard greens? ›

In the case of collard greens, baking soda's utility is threefold, serving as a flavor enhancer, a tenderizer, and a color protector. Baking soda is an alkali salt possessing the tenderizing and flavor-enhancing properties of regular salt.

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

  1. Shake With Cold Water and Ice. For some of the best-tasting greens, all you need is some ice and a good shake. ...
  2. Mix With Juice. ...
  3. Mix With a Sports Drink or Electrolyte Powder. ...
  4. Mix With Tea. ...
  5. Add Honey. ...
  6. Add Cocoa. ...
  7. Blend Into a Smoothie. ...
  8. Try Sparkling Water.
Aug 16, 2023

What are the best ingredients in greens? ›

Active Ingredients: wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa grass, oat grass, broccoli, kale, spinach, green cabbage, celery, alfalfa sprouts, cabbage sprouts, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower sprout, kale sprouts, moringa, matcha, Tulsi (holy basil), mate leaf extract, parsley, peppermint, rosemary spirulina, and chlorella.

Which greens taste the best? ›

On your next trip to the market, look out for these seven tasty leafy greens!
  • Chard. Incredibly flexible in the kitchen, chard is a leafy green that can be enjoyed raw in salads, or cooked in everything from omelets, soups and stews. ...
  • Mustard Greens. ...
  • Watercress. ...
  • Beet Greens. ...
  • Collard Greens. ...
  • Escarole.

What takes the bitterness out of collard greens? ›

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.
  • Long cooking like braising (think southern collard greens that are cooked for hours)
  • Blanch first.
Jul 7, 2021

Does baking soda make collard greens tender? ›

Tasting Table staff deem baking soda the secret weapon to keep boiled greens like broccoli, green beans, and peas from turning brown. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of baking soda to your boiling water or stock to ensure that your collard greens are flavorful, tender, and vibrant.

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 meat is good with collard greens? ›

What I like about collard greens is that they are mild, buttery and rich in flavor which compliments the beef very well. I hope you will find this dish delicious!

What season does collard greens do best in? ›

Collards taste sweetest when they grow in cool weather, especially in the fall after the leaves have been touched by frost. Spring-planted collards will grow through summer but they taste stronger when they mature in the heat.

What part of the body are collard greens good for? ›

Was this helpful? Collard greens contain nutrients with many possible health benefits, like supporting bone health, liver function, and digestion. They may also help prevent cancer, improve sleep, and support hair and skin health. The cruciferous family are part of the cruciferous vegetable family.

Do you have to blanch collard greens before cooking? ›

You can't just sauté them in some fat because they normally scorch before they soften enough. According to the nerds (in a good way) at Cooks Illustrated, the best way to cook collards (and any assertive greens) is to shallow blanch them before sautéing them.

How are the greens to be cooked? ›

Cook the Greens

Bring a small amount of lightly salted water to boiling in a Dutch oven. Add the greens. Cover the pan and cook until tender. Chard and beet greens will take 8 to 10 minutes; kale, mustard, turnip, and collard greens will take 15 to 20 minutes.

What's the difference between collard greens and turnip greens? ›

Turnip greens have a slightly bitter and peppery flavor, while collard greens have a milder, slightly sweet taste. Turnip greens are also more tender and have a more delicate texture compared to the tougher, thicker leaves of collard greens.

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