• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Happier Homemaker logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Home Tips
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • Free Organizing Course
  • Clean Routine Academy
  • Mom's Chore Toolbox
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sides » Easy Southern Collard Greens

    Last updated: Jul 20, 2021 by Melissa Riker · 1 Comment

    Easy Southern Collard Greens

    Jump to Recipe
    collard greens in pan

    These Easy Southern Collard Greens are a classic soul food recipe that couldn't be easier to make! With just 4 ingredients and a little patience, you can have delicious collards just like Grandma used to make!

    southern collard greens in large saucepan

    My grandma in South Carolina would slow simmer her collards for hours on the back burner in a giant stockpot with ham. This easy collard greens recipe shortens the process a bit but the end result is every bit as flavorful and tender!

    (We always make these, Hoppin' John or Corned Beef and Cabbage on New Year's Day to symbolize money in the new year!)

    southern collard greens on white plate with chicken

    Ingredients

    • bacon
    • onion
    • butter
    • collards

    How to Prep Collard Greens

    It's important to properly prepare your collard greens for cooking. There's nothing worse than taking a bite of collards and getting a mouthful of grit!

    Start by cutting the inedible stem from the center of the collard greens. I like to fold mine in half and cut with a paring knife.

    cutting collard greens stem with paring knife

    After removing the stem, cut the greens into 1" strips and soak for 10 minutes in cold water. Rinse thoroughly in a colander to remove all dirt and sand.

    Step by step

    Using bacon instead of ham gives this easy collard greens recipe plenty of flavor and flavors them faster than the traditional ham method my grandmother used. (Because is it really even southern cooking without bacon?!)

    1. Cook the bacon along with onion and butter.
    2. Add water and collards and simmer for an hour until nice and tender!
    • butter bacon and onion simmering in pan
    • large skillet with sliced collard greens and chopped bacon

    Tips for best results

    • my recipe calls for water but you can substitute store-bought or homemade chicken stock if desired
    • don't season the collard greens with salt until the end of the cooking, the liquid boils off and concentrates as it cooks and can end up too salty if you add it at the beginning
    • season the collard greens with hot sauce before serving if desired
    southern collard greens on white plate with chicken

    You might also like these other classic Southern recipes:

    • Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits
    • Southern Squash Casserole
    • Southern Potato Salad
    • Nana's Southern Pecan Pie
    • Best Egg Salad Recipe
    • Grape and Pecan Chicken Salad
    • Homemade Pimento Cheese
    • Lowcountry Boil

    If you try this Collard Greens with Bacon recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    collards in pan overhead

    Southern Collard Greens

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    • Yield: 6 1x
    • Category: vegetable
    • Method: stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    These Easy Southern Collard Greens are a classic soul food recipe that couldn't be easier to make! With just 4 ingredients and a little patience, you can have delicious collards just like Grandma used to make!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ½ pound bacon, cut into 1" pieces
    • 1 yellow onion, sliced
    • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
    • 2-3 pounds collard greens
    • 2 cups water
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the collards by slicing the inedible stem off and cutting into 1 inch strips. Soak in cold water for ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly in a colander.
    2. In a large, deep saucepan cook bacon over medium high heat until browned.
    3. Add onion and butter and cook until onion is translucent and butter is melted.
    4. Add water and collards to the pan and reduce heat to low.
    5. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally, or until greens are tender. Add more water 1 cup at a time if needed.
    6. Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if desired.

    Notes

    • rinse collards very well prior to cooking to ensure no dirt or sand remains on the greens
    • my recipe calls for water but you can substitute store-bought or homemade chicken stock if desired
    • don't season the collard greens with salt until the end of the cooking, the liquid boils off and concentrates as it cooks and can end up to salty if you add it at the beginning
    • season the collard greens with hot sauce before serving if desired

    Keywords: souther collard greens, easy collard greens, collard greens with bacon

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @thehappierhomemaker — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « The Ultimate Guide to Pigs in a Blanket
    The BEST Pumpkin Muffins »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jannie says

      September 03, 2019 at 2:20 pm

      This is the exact way I make my collards, I learned from my grandma too!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Melissa

    Hi, I'm Melissa and I have a passion for helping people find effective ways to clean and organize, feed their families, and truly enjoy their homes.
    More about me -->

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Favorites

    Cinnamon apple bread sliced on a cutting board next to two apples

    Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe

    cinnamon candle in jar with orange bow

    DIY Cinnamon Candles

    banana chips in white bowl

    Homemade Banana Chips Recipe

    japanese clear soup in white bowl

    Hibachi Japanese Clear Soup

    More Reader Favorites Here

    30 Minute Meals

    white spoon with Swedish meatballs

    Turkey Swedish Meatballs

    two bowls of chicken and dumplings

    Easy Chicken & Dumplings

    creamy cajun chicken penne pasta in skillet

    Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

    pasta primavera in white bowl

    Pasta Primavera Recipe

    See More

    Featured On:

    collage of logos of major publications and TV networks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! f

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Featured in:

    website and magazine logo collage

    Copyright © 2022