Creamed Collard Greens

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword collard-greens-recipes, creamed-collard-greens

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 337kcal

Cook bacon in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined platter. Reserve 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
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.
Stir flour into the onion and drippings until 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 immediately lower the heat to low and gently simmer for about 3 minutes.
To the Dutch oven add drained collards, half of the cooked bacon, salt, black pepper, nutmeg and crushed red pepper flakes.
Simmer over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or just until the collards are heated through and cream sauce mixture has slightly reduced and coated the greens. Stir periodically to prevent sticking and lower heat to medium-low, if needed.
Serve immediately garnished with the reserved bacon and green onions, if desired.

Canned Greens - 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 also use turnip greens or a mix of greens for these creamy greens.
Frozen Collard Greens - 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.
Bacon - You can use classic or thick cut bacon in this recipe.
Butter - You can replace the bacon grease with butter or olive oil.
Chicken Stock - You can use chicken broth or chicken stock.
Keto Creamed Collard Greens - To make these keto creamed collard greens you can decrease or omit the diced onion and use onion powder instead.
Salt - 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.