These easy Creamed Collard Greens are perfectly seasoned with bacon and a decadent homemade cream sauce that takes them to a whole new level. This recipe is simple enough for a weekday but features an elevated take on collard greens suitable for the holidays and entertaining.

Easy Creamed Collard Greens Recipe

Green are a staple in the South and a beloved downhome dish to make. This creamy collard greens recipe is another way to present them that’s easy enough for a weekday but fancy enough for special occasions. How to make simple Creamed Collard Greens: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Bacon – Cook bacon in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes.
Bacon Drippings – Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined platter. Reserve 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
Onion and Garlic – To the bacon drippings add chopped onion. Cook over medium high heat for around 5 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. Add garlic, cooking for 1 minute longer.
Roux – Stir flour into the onion and bacon drippings until it’s absorbed. Gradually add chicken stock whisking until smooth. Bring to a gentle boil then drizzle in the cream whisking constantly over medium-high to prevent sticking. Once combined lower heat to medium-low and gently simmer for about 3 minutes.
Collard Greens – To the Dutch oven add drained collards, half of the cooked bacon, salt, black pepper, nutmeg and crushed red pepper flakes. Continue to cook on medium-low and simmer for for 15 minutes until collards are heated through and liquid has slightly reduced and thickened.
Serve immediately garnished with green onions and reserved bacon.

How to Make the BEST Creamed Collard Greens

Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Creamed Collard Greens: Two cans fully cooked collard greens, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, classic or thick cut bacon, heavy cream and low sodium chicken stock. Green onions for garnishing is optional.
Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large Dutch oven or 12 inch skillet, cutting board and sharp knife, measuring cups and spoons, paper towel lined plate or platter, whisk and slotted spoon.
This recipe is designed to come together easily hence the reason for using canned seasoned collard greens skipping the step of cooking fresh greens. Use a quality brand that you enjoy i.e. Glory or similar.
You can adapt this recipe using frozen collard greens. Cook them per the package directions then drain well and squeeze out excess liquid. You’ll need two 16 ounce packages.
You can use classic or thick cut bacon in this recipe.
To make these keto creamed collard greens you can decrease or omit the diced onion and use onion powder instead.
Reference the ingredients on the canned collard greens that you use to make any adjustments to the sodium and crushed red pepper flakes in this recipe. If the greens are already spicy, omit the red pepper flakes. You can also opt to serve these with hot sauce on the side.
You can also use turnip greens or a mix of greens for these creamy greens.
Store Creamed Collard Greens chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

More Southern Style Side Dish Recipes to Make

These Zucchini Fritters are crispy and full flavored.
This Southern Grits and Greens Casserole will take you from brunch to supper.
Serve these creamed collard greens with this Slow Cooked Hoppin’ John.
Serve these Fried Green Beans as an appetizer or a side dish.
Stewed Okra with Tomatoes can be made year-round using frozen okra.
Skillet Honey Cornbread is a delicious side dish for any meal.
Southern Fried Cabbage is seasoned with bacon and made in no time on the stovetop.
Southern Field Peas from My Recipes.

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