Sautéed Collard Greens

Sautéed Collard Greens, a tasty way to eat collards! Great as a simple wilted greens side dish or a topping for salads, bowls, or even pizza.

a bowl of sautéed collard leaves on a white table with a gold fork

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Love collard greens? If you’re looking for a way to eat them beyond salads and wraps, try sautéing them in a pan for a tasty side dish or topping for bowls or even pizza.

👉 Want to learn how to sauté collard leaves? Let’s do it!


🌱 Ingredients

  • Collard greens: collards are a thick, sturdy green that become crispy when pan fried
  • Olive oil: a small amount of oil used for pan frying; you can use water if oil-free
  • Garlic: minced garlic adds flavor
  • Red pepper flakes: a sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a touch of spice
  • Salt and pepper: simple spices for a boost of flavor
  • Recommended tools: large pan
collard greens and bowls of olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes on a white table
Ingredients: collard greens, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, chili flakes

🥣 How to make (step-by-step)

1️⃣ Step One: Prep collard greens

Wash collard leaves under running water or submerging them a water bowl. Then dry with a salad spinner or by laying flat to dry.

collard leaves on a white table
Wash and dry collard leaves

Then cut leaves into thin thin strips before cooking by stacking the leaves, rolling them, then slicing off the ends into thin strips. This will make the leaves easier to cook since they are generally very large and thick.

sliced collard greens on a wood cutting board with a knife
Slice collards into strips

2️⃣ Step Two: Heat and season cooking oil

Add olive oil to a medium frying pan and heat over medium-low heat.

Add minced garlic and cook until it begins to brown and become fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Next add the red pepper and cook about 20-30 seconds more, or until the pepper begins to release its color into the oil (be careful not to overcook the pepper as it will easily become brown and release a burnt flavor).

a pan with olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes
Cook garlic and red pepper

3️⃣ Step Three: Sauté collard greens

Add collard strips to the pan and stir until they are covered in oil, completely wilted, and have cooked down, about 2-3 minutes. Collards are a sturdier leaf, similar to chard, so they cook and reduce to about ⅓ of the volume when they are cooked.

When the greens are done, remove them from the pan and plate. Serve immediately for best flavor, and enjoy!

sliced collard greens cooking inside a pan
Pan fry collard greens

❓ Questions + quick tips

Are collard leaves healthy?

Collard greens are a healthy leafy green that are high in vitamin K, iron, calcium (USDA Food Nutrient Database).

Can you freeze collard greens?

Collard leaves can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Simply remove the greens from the thickest part of the stem, and then wash and dry them before storing in an airtight freezer bag wrapped in a kitchen cloth or paper towel.

a bowl of sautéed collard greens on a white table with bowls of spices

♻️ Sustainable kitchen tips

Stock up on greens during collard season! The best time to make this recipe is during collard season, which is typically in late spring or late fall depending on when they are planted.

Store cut stems in water to keep them fresh. If you’ve cut the greens from the stem before using, keep them fresh by placing the stems in a glass of water and storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The water will keep the stems and leaves from wilting.

a bowl of pan fried collard greens on a white table

🌿 More collard greens recipes

Want more recipes using collard greens? Try our Collard Greens Pesto and Chickpea Salad Collard Greens Wrap.

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a bowl of sautéed collard greens on a white table with bowls of spices

Sautéed Collard Greens

Kristina Todini, RDN
Sautéed Collard Greens, a tasty way to eat collards! Great as a simple wilted greens side dish or a topping for salads, bowls, or even pizza.
5 stars (2 ratings)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salads + Side Dishes
Cuisine Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings 2 servings
Calories 63 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large pan

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups collard greens
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes to taste
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prep collard greens: Wash 4 cups collard greens under running water or submerging them a water bowl. Then dry with a salad spinner or by laying flat to dry. Then cut leaves into thin thin strips before cooking by stacking the leaves, rolling them, then slicing off the ends into thin strips. This will make the leaves easier to cook since they are generally very large and thick.
  • Heat and season oil: To a medium pan heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add minced 2 cloves garlic and cook until it begins to brown and become fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Next add the 1 pinch red pepper flakes and cook about 20-30 seconds more, or until the pepper begins to release its color into the oil (do not overcook or the pepper will burn).
  • Sauté collard greens: Add the collard greens and stir constantly until they are covered in oil and completely wilted and cooked down, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 pinch salt and pepper. Remove to a plate and serve immediately.

Notes

Tools Needed: glass mixing bowl, medium pan, knife set, cutting board, salad spinner
Prep Ahead: Cooked leafy greens are best eaten immediately, so we do not recommend cooking these collard leaves ahead of serving. However, you could wash and prep the greens up to a day ahead of time so they’re ready to be cooked. Any more than this and the greens will wilt and not look their best.
Leftovers and Storage: Store any leftover greens in the refrigerator for up to two days and reheat over the stovetop or quickly in the microwave. We do not recommend freezing.
Nutrition Notes: Nutrition information is estimated using all included ingredients. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and is a good source of vitamins K, iron and calcium.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 166mgFiber: 3gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 3629IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword sautéed collard greens
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