Before you say another word, let me tell you that if you’ve tried collard greens and aren’t really a fan, this recipe is going to change your mind! As I shared on Instagram, I haven’t met a person who wasn’t a fan after they tried my collard greens. After years of keeping this recipe all to myself, I’m finally ready to share and change the minds of all of those greens-haters. So no preconceived notions about whether or not you like collard greens. Instead, I challenge you to try this out and tell me you aren’t a fan!
My Not-So-Secret Collard Greens
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My Not-So-Secret Collard Greens
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
You haven't tried collard greens until you've tried this recipe. Packed with bacon, onions and fresh, chopped greens, you won't believe what you've been missing.
Ingredients
- 36 oz fresh collard greens (cut into pieces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 pkg bacon (thick cut if available)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- sea salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add entire package of bacon to the pot. Use tongs to move them around so that they all cook evenly. You want bacon to be cooked, but not too crisp.
- Remove bacon from pot and place on a plate covered with a paper towel. Let cool.
- Add chopped onions to the same pot and cook until soft. Make sure to stir to avoid burning.
- Add garlic, stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add collard greens to the pot (you will need to do that in batches, unless you have a very big pot). Stir to make sure the onions and garlic are well distributed and don't burn at the bottom. The collard greens will begin to wilt.
- Chop up bacon into bite sized pieces and return to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Add chicken broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember the chicken broth and bacon both have salt in them, so use salt sparingly. You can always add more later, but you can't remove it if you add too much. I typically start with 1/8 tsp.
- Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cover pot. Simmer for one hour.
- At this point, you should taste to make sure you're happy with the saltiness of them. If you need to add more, add more.
- If you have time, keep them simmering on low for as long as possible. I often make mine the day before we need them. The longer they soak, the yummier they will be.
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
It’s funny… I was telling my family that a professional chef would probably cringe if they saw the way I cooked certain foods, but I’m just a regular Mom who loves to cook. People find my recipes easy to follow because I’m not professionally trained. I hope that you agree!
I have been making these collard greens for so many years. They make an appearance every Thanksgiving and/or Christmas dinner. I also make them a few times throughout the year because my kids love them!
A few tips… you can buy the collard greens already chopped up, in 1lb bags, in your local grocery store. This will save you so much time! In our store, they often have them as buy one get one free, so that’s when I usually make them.
For the onion, you can choose to use a yellow onion, or a vidalia onion. If you like your collard greens a little on the spicier side, feel free to add some red pepper flakes to give it a little kick.
If you don’t have any chicken broth in the house, you can also use water and bouillon cubes, but make sure to keep in mind that it may be a bit saltier than chicken broth, so adjust your salt as necessary.
I hope that I’ve convinced you to at least give my collard greens recipe a try. If you make it, please let me know how it turned out! And if I can answer any questions for you, please let me know! Enjoy!

Ellen
March 11, 2020Hi Rosie! If I’m only making 18oz of greens, would I cut the measurements for the other ingredients in half? Thanks!
Alexa
February 21, 2020These collard greens were really good. This was the first time that I tried this recipe and I really enjoyed it!
★★★★★
Eileen M Loya
February 20, 2020This is a yummy recipe. I tried making it the first time I saw it on your blog. My children loved it and they asked for it again. I will get more collard greens tomorrow and make this for them. I am sure they will be saying their favorite food motto – “Bacon is the duct tape of food!”
Ruth I
February 19, 2020I am not really sure if I’ve ever tasted collard greens before. This looks delicious for me and I will be trying it out soon!
★★★★★
Monica
February 19, 2020I have been wanting to venture out and try new veggies for my side at dinner. I never think to try greens. These collard greens look so flavorful! I will be giving them a try.
Jennifer
February 19, 2020I grew up on greens and this is how my momma used to make them too. This recipe brings back so many memories for me.
Thanks!
Heather
February 19, 2020Okay I don’t think I have ever tried collard greens! Now I’m curious to find out if I’d like them!
Lisa Joy Thompson
February 19, 2020We love all kinds of greens at our house but I bet my kids would really love these! They’re a huge fan of anything made with bacon. And I’m like you, professional chefs would cringe at my recipes, but everyone who eats them loves them! 🙂
Jen
February 19, 2020This is something my family will love! Can’t wait to give it a try.
★★★★★
Stefani
February 18, 2020I need to try these one day! Sounds like a great side dish!
Kathy
February 18, 2020I don’t think I’ve actually tried collard greens before. It does look nice and healthy though. I would love to try this out. I’m all about healthy foods.
Lisa Favre
February 18, 2020Collard greens is something I don’t make enough. Thank you for providing this recipe because now I know I can make delicious collard greens for my family!
★★★★★
Amy
February 18, 2020I have never tried collard greens before. I think your recipe look delicious and it makes me want to give them a whirl.
Tara Pittman
February 18, 2020As my middle child would say bacon makes anything taste better. I need to try collard greens.
Good Nelly
January 13, 2020It looks so tasty. I’ll try it for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Lily
January 11, 2020Looks like a great collards recipes. Nice comfort food definitely.
Subhashish Roy
January 9, 2020I have already become a fan by just seeing the dish. It looks yummy and would try this out at home. The veggies makes it so healthy too.
Genevieve
January 9, 2020This recipe looks colorful and super easy to make!
★★★★★
Erin
January 9, 2020I love collard greens! And bacon… can’t forget the bacon. YUM! Now I want to make some of this to go with dinner! 🙂
Eileen M Loya
January 9, 2020Anything with bacon is sure to be a winner with my family. I like this recipe and will be trying it out soon. Healthy greens made delicious with bacon is just awesome.
Ave
January 9, 2020I have to say that I haven’t tried collard greens before. I usually like leafy greens and vegetables too, so I’m sure the collard greens with some delicious bacon will appear on our menu soon.
Yeah Lifestyle
January 9, 2020I have never cooked collard green this way so would love to cook this recipe for my family come sunday
★★★★★
Mudpiefridays
January 9, 2020I am so going to give this a go. I’m struggling to get my boys to eat greens but this recipe sounds delicious. We always put bacon with our brussel sprouts but love the idea of including the broth.
Brianna S
January 9, 2020I’ve actually never tried these but you make them look delicious! I’m going to add everything to my grocery cart to make next week.
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman
January 9, 2020I have deep Southern roots, but no one in my family brought that particular dish to the table when they moved west, so I only discovered collard greens only a few years ago. Now, we make them regularly – they make such an easy side! Your recipe looks tasty, too – very similar to the way we make them. And pre-chopped collard greens sound like a real time-saver!
★★★★★
Ashley
January 9, 2020I actually really like Collard greens. They have to be made with bacon though. You got that right.
Catherine
January 9, 2020The touch of bacon is just what this dish needs! Looks delish!
Stefani
January 9, 2020I have never had collard greens but yours looks tasty! Looks like lots of flavor for sure!
Mary Robinson
January 9, 2020I’m not a fan of collard but I think this recipe will def change my mind! Looks really yummy. I love your photos by the way, they look really stylish and professional. Im going to try this recipe amd let you know!
Melanie williams
January 9, 2020It is always nice when time allows to get in the kitchen and make a dish from scratch. We do love our greens too x
Toni
January 9, 2020That looks delish! This will quickly become a favorite at my house.
★★★★★
Shilpa Bindlish
January 9, 2020Never tasted these collard greens. Need to check how they taste. Looks good though.
Farah Al Zadjaly
January 9, 2020woow this looks like a good reciepe. I might try it but with turkey bacon or tofurky. Looks healthy.
Ayishia
January 13, 2020I’m not really a big greens fan but I will have to give this recipe a try.
Cristina Petrini
January 9, 2020A side dish that brings together goodness, health and even a little more taste! Yummy!
Claudia Krusch
January 8, 2020I love collard greens! Can’t wait to try it this way! I love cooking it with butter and onions too!
★★★★★
Leslie L Denning
January 8, 2020I love greens – spinach, collard green, even poke salad. I think bacon makes just about all greens yummy, as well as green beans. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Jennifer H
January 8, 2020So I have to admit, I’m not a collard greens fan. I do love salad and other greens though! 🙂
Heather
January 8, 2020I think it totally depends on the recipe! You should try this one and see if it changes your mind.
Marcie W.
January 8, 2020I love collard greens and your recipe sounds very close to how we make them. Adding bacon is a must! It provides so much extra flavor.
★★★★★
Chad
January 8, 2020I’ve never cooked collard greens!!! I would love to try to, looks so delicious…Will try to cook it this weekend.
Fiona Cambouropoulos
January 8, 2020A lovely way to turn greens into a full meal for all the family.
Brianne Tursi Manz
January 8, 2020I want to become a fan of your collard greens! I am so happy you’ve finally shared your awesome recipe, and I can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Anna Elle Liz
January 8, 2020I love collard greens! I add bacon too, but sometimes switch it up with pork or ham cubes! If you like a little spice try adding some chili flakes to it!
Amber Myers
January 8, 2020Ooo I don’t think I’ve ever had these before. I must try them. I tend to love all things with bacon 😉
★★★★★
shayna
January 8, 2020This sounds really good, and I think that bacon makes everything taste amazing : )
Stacie
January 8, 2020Collards and bacon is the best combo in the world. When we moved to Georgia, I was introduced to it, and I never looked back.
Tara Pittman
January 8, 2020These greens sound so tasty. I need to make these for my husband as he loves bacon
Matt Taylor
January 8, 2020Yummy! You can go wrong with bacon. I haven’t had collard greens before, I will have to give this a try sometime.
Mitch
January 8, 2020Everything goes better with bacon! What a great way to get everyone to love their greens, I know I am always trying to get my family to eat healthier!
Ann
January 8, 2020This looks really good, I am for sure trying out this collard greens recipe 🙂