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HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

If you have ever wondered what canned collard greens taste like, I will only say, you need to first find out how to cook canned collard greens, because if you season these collard greens right, you’ll be saying, “Those are the BEST collard greens I’ve ever eat!”.

I never thought I would fix collard greens any other way than by washing them and then, oh yea, washing them again. How about we wash those greens just one more time? You can see the whole process right HERE.

A close up photo of HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

And of course, home grown and cooked collard greens are DELICIOUS!  But who has time to do all that washing of the greens every single time? Not me. But I still LOVE the taste!

So, let’s be all about how to fix canned collard greens so that they taste good!

HERE’S A VIDEO OF WENDI FIXING SOME CANNED COLLARDS TO SHOW YOU HOW…

HOW TO SEASON CANNED COLLARD GREENS

You have some choices when seasoning your canned collard greens, and it just depends on your tastes! You can choose…

  • Smoked Turkey
  • Bacon
  • Fat Back
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Hot Sauce
  • Vinegar
  • Hot Vinegar
  • Lemon
  • sugar

Try to pick at least one seasoning that adds some FAT (the meats) and then one seasoning that adds FLAVOR (Onion or garlic – or both) and then one flavoring that adds some HEAT ( Hot sauce, cayenne) . Then, just for good measure, add a splash of some acidic something (Vinegar or lemon).

See?  Those canned collard greens are tasting better already!

A close up photo from the side of HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

HOW LONG WILL CANNED COLLARD GREENS LAST?

Your canned collard greens will be good for several days if you follow my recipe below. I would throw them out after they have been in the refrigerator for 5 days though.

Simply allow them to come to room temperature after you cook them, then cover with some plastic wrap and put them in the fridge. They will probably be even better by tomorrow!

ARE CANNED COLLARD GREENS GOOD FOR ME?

ALL collard greens are good for you, including canned collard greens. Canned collards are an excellent source of fiber and calcium and even have a little protein. Canned Collard Greens are low in calories! Just be careful, like all canned foods, they already contain salt.

A close up photo from above of HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

CAN YOU FREEZE CANNED COLLARD GREENS?

If you have cooked up a can of collard greens but just can’t eat the rest, then yes, you can freeze them just fine. When they thaw back out, simply heat them up. You will note that when they thaw back out, they are a little mushier than they were to start with.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CANNED COLLARD GREENS

  • You will want to drain the canned collards very well before you start to cook with them.
  • Most canned collards are cut up  much smaller than what you would do at home if you were making them from scratch.
  • Typically, you will want to add the flavors that I have listed above when you are jazzing up your canned collard greens.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST ABOUT HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARDS, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THE REST OF THE RECIPES IN THIS SERIES….

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YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?

Please leave me a comment and 5 STAR ( 🌟 🌟🌟🌟 🌟 )   review, I ALWAYS love to hear from you and your comments MAKE MY DAY! (Plus, it helps me out by letting everyone know that this is the place to find good recipes!)

THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

A close up photo from the side of HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS

A RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS
4.73 from 11 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: collard greens, canned collard greens, greens
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 slices of bacon cut into 5-6 pieces each
  • 2 slices onion chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic chopped
  • 1 28 oz can of collard greens drained well
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tsp white granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp hot sauce like Franks or Texas Pete
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium sized sauce pot over medium heat, add the cut up slices of bacon and allow those to cook till crispy.  Do not pour off the bacon grease.
  • Add the onion and garlic and allow to cook till fragrant and softening (about 3 minutes).
  • Pour in the drained can of collard greens, water, sugar, hot sauce and vinegar and stir well.
  • Stir frequently and continue to heat over medium heat until heated through.
  • When heated through, the greens are ready to serve, taste first and add salt and pepper until you are satisfied with the taste.  If they taste bitter at all, add more salt. Add more hot sauce, per your tastes.

Notes

  • You will want to drain the canned collards very well before you start to cook with them.
  • Most canned collards are cut up  much smaller than what you would do at home if you were making them from scratch.
  • Typically, you will want to add the flavors that I have listed above when you are jazzing up your canned collard greens.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
HOW TO COOK CANNED COLLARD GREENS
Amount Per Serving
Calories 120
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Jenn

Thursday 18th of May 2023

I have used your recipe many, many times and they are always a hit. I have even had people tell me they are the best they have ever had. I wanted to make some fresh collards but want the same flavors as this recipe, could I translate this recipe to fresh collards evenly or how do you suggest to make them?

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 20th of May 2023

Hi Jenn, I have an entire article about cooking fresh collards with a recipe. Let me give you a link here:: <a href="https://www.loavesanddishes.net/the-secret-to-perfect-southern-collard-greens/"

Frederick Douglass

Thursday 16th of March 2023

Don't you want to crisp them up, like in an oven? Mushy canned greens just don't taste as good as freshly cooked, because they're missing that bit of crunch. Might as well be puree.

Wendi Spraker

Friday 17th of March 2023

Hi Frederick, The canned greens are going to be kind of mushy, it's the nature of the beast. I hope you consider at least trying this recipe.

Chuck

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Great recipe, wonderful flavor! Thanks

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

You are so welcome

Charlie H.

Sunday 8th of May 2022

Good ideas and advice, thank you!

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 11th of May 2022

Thanks Charlie

Craig H

Saturday 1st of January 2022

I made this recipe for our New Year's dinner using (Glory) mixed greens and substituting powered onion and garlic for the fresh due to a picky eater. It was delicious.

Wendi Spraker

Monday 3rd of January 2022

Oh man, those picky eaters! lol. I have some of those too. You did just the right thing.

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