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Quick Collard Greens

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on April 11, 2013

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Quick Collard Greens

Ingredients

Salt and pepper 2 ½ pounds collard greens, stemmed and leaves halved lengthwise3 tablespoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Before You Begin

If you use mustard or turnip greens instead of collards, reduce boiling time to 2 minutes.

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and collard greens, 1 handful at a time. Cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water until greens are cool, about 1 minute. Press greens with rubber spatula to release excess liquid. Place greens on top of kitchen towel and compress into 10-inch log. Roll tightly, then remove from kitchen towel. Cut greens crosswise into ¼-inch slices. (Greens can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before continuing.)
  2. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Scatter greens in skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes and cook until greens are spotty brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
  3. MAKE AHEAD Collards can be prepared through step 1 and refrigerated for up to 2 days. To finish, proceed with step 2.
Quick Collard Greens

Quick Collard Greens

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

Salt and pepper
2 ½ pounds collard greens, stemmed and leaves halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

Salt and pepper
2 ½ pounds collard greens, stemmed and leaves halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

Salt and pepper
2 ½ pounds collard greens, stemmed and leaves halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Collards are typically braised for at least an hour to soften their tough leaves, but could the task be sped up? Stemming the collards was a necessary first step, and blanching the leaves in salt water produced tender greens in minutes. Since we weren’t infusing the greens with flavor over a long simmer, they needed a boost. No problem. After drying and chopping the greens, we flashed them in a skillet with assertive garlic and red pepper flakes for a quick, well-seasoned side dish.

Before You Begin

If you use mustard or turnip greens instead of collards, reduce boiling time to 2 minutes.

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and collard greens, 1 handful at a time. Cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water until greens are cool, about 1 minute. Press greens with rubber spatula to release excess liquid. Place greens on top of kitchen towel and compress into 10-inch log. Roll tightly, then remove from kitchen towel. Cut greens crosswise into ¼-inch slices. (Greens can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before continuing.)
  2. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Scatter greens in skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes and cook until greens are spotty brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
  3. MAKE AHEAD Collards can be prepared through step 1 and refrigerated for up to 2 days. To finish, proceed with step 2.

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