- Collard greens are cooked in smoky pork stock, then combined with onions, garlic, crushed red pepper, and tomatoes for a deeply savory Southern-style side.
- Using the greens’ cooking liquid in the tomato-based finish creates depth and richness.
- The result is a hearty preparation that balances earthy greens with savory aromatics and gentle heat.
In the South, people tend to be loyal to one green: turnip, mustard, or collard. In fact, where chef Edna Lewis was raised in Virginia, collards weren’t grown at all, and she always maintained a prejudice against them — except in this recipe. To make it, you’ll first want to simmer a smoke-cured pork shoulder hock or smoked country bacon for a couple of hours to produce the pork stock for braising the greens.
How to select the best collard greens
The important thing to watch for when buying collards is that the leaves have no yellow or discolored areas — they should be a deep, vibrant green throughout. Texture-wise, look for firm, crisp leaves that are securely attached to the stems; skip bunches that appear soft, waxy, or wilted. Lastly, avoid collards that have an excessive number of small holes, as this could indicate insect damage or disease.
Smaller leaves tend to be younger, milder, and more tender than larger ones, but the long cook time and flavorful supporting ingredients here mean that even tougher, more bitter greens will become meltingly delicious.
Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen
- Add more or less crushed red pepper to the dish to adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Feel free to halve the recipe if you’re not feeding a crowd or don’t want lots of leftovers.
