Jersey Girl Cooks

  • About
  • Recipes
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon

    First Published: June 23, 2021 . Last Modified: September 14, 2022 lisa14 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    These Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon are a perfect side dish. Olive oil and lean turkey bacon make this Southern style collard greens dish a little more healthy. A splash of cider vinegar gives it a nice tang. I could really eat this as my main dish any day. 

    Turkey Bacon Collard Greens in a bowl

    My husband and son love BBQ joints. They cannot get enough barbecued meat.

    My daughter is a vegetarian and I am somewhere in between. I like to eat meat but don't need to eat it every day.

    Luckily, most BBQ restaurants have plenty of sides to choose from with many being vegetarian. My daughter can always eat macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. I prefer the sides over the meat but I will not pass up the chicken or ribs.

    I love the mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, deviled eggs and collard greens. Yes, I like it all but the collard greens side dish recipe have a special place in my heart, or should I say stomach?

    What are Southern Collard Greens

    Collard greens are a staple in southern cuisine. Many people eat them for good luck on New Year's day as the green color represents money and prosperity.

    Traditionally cooked in flavorful stock from ham hocks, this leafy green vegetable took on a flavor that was comforting and rich and elevated them to a high place in many southern kitchens. These greens are rich in vitamins like vitamin c and calcium and they can help to lower cholesterol. Unfortunately, the addition of bacon and bacon grease in many recipes left me looking for a healthy collard greens recipe. 

    uncooked collard greens bundled

    Healthy Collard Greens Recipe

    Collard greens in most BBQ restaurants might sound healthy but they usually have lard, salt and lots of bacon in them. Don't get me wrong, they taste wonderful. But if I made them like that at home on a regular basis, the jeans would be even tighter than they are now. And after the holidays, the jeans have been barely buttoning so that could get to be a problem.

    So I decided to make a light, good-for-you version of southern collard greens. I actually have eaten a whole bowl of Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon as my dinner.

    in my kitchen with a big collard green leaf

    This past fall, we had plenty of collard greens at the CSA farm that I belong to. You could even say I was up to my eyeballs in collard greens. Have you ever seen giant collards like this?

    I cooked lots and lots of them and came up with this healthy easy recipe. Luckily the grocery stores have plenty of collard greens in the winter too so they can be made all year round.

    Ingredients

    • olive oil - Or use your favorite neutral oil
    • turkey bacon - I like this lean protein but use regular bacon if you prefer
    •  garlic cloves - A little bit goes a long way
    • fresh collard greens - Remove tough stems and slice into bite size strips with a sharp knife. For variation use mustard greens or turnip greens instead of fresh collards.
    • chicken broth or stock - Homemade chicken stock or broth is great but there are plenty of premade options at your grocery store.  
    • apple cider vinegar - You can also use red wine vinegar or lemon juice instead. Vinegar neutralizes any bitter taste the leafy greens might have.
    • brown sugar - White sugar can also be used.
    • cayenne pepper - Or use red pepper flakes. I also like to serve mone with some hot sauce on the side.
    • salt and black pepper - To taste.

    Steps to Make Bacon Collard Greens

    1. Saute the Turkey Bacon - Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven and saute the bacon until it just begins to crisp. Remove with slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel. I used lean turkey bacon in this recipe but who am I to tell you to use less fat. By all means, use regular bacon if you'd like.
    2. Saute the Greens - Add garlic to the bacon fat and let it cook for a few moments before adding the collard greens. Saute them until they just begin to wilt. Pour in the stock, vinegar, sugar and salt and cover with a lid. 
    3. Simmer and Serve - Simmer the pot of greens on low heat for 40 minutes or so until tender. Remove the lid and stir in the bacon. Raise the heat to reduce the liquid. Check for seasoning and serve. 

    Full instructions, exact ingredient amounts and nutrition facts are included in the recipe card below.

    Braised Southern Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon

    Main Dishes That Go With Southern-Style Collard Greens

    Make Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon and then serve them with chicken, beef or pork. Or just eat a bowl for lunch or dinner like I do! Here are some of our favorite meals to serve with bacon collard greens. 

    • Spicy Oven Fried Chicken Recipe
    • Roaster Slow Cooker Chicken
    • Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Delicata Squash Medley
    • Drunken BBQ Pork Chops
    • Slow Cooker Shredded Beef and Beer Sliders

    No matter what you serve them with these Southern collard greens are loaded with flavor and deserve some attention at the table!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
    • Roasted Cranberry Glazed Brussels Sprouts
    • Roasted Stuffed Acorn Squash (via Dole)
    • Orange Cranberry Sauce
    • Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms with Red Wine Sauce
    pin for braised collard greens

    If you like this Healthy Collard Greens Recipe , please give it a 5-star rating below.

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon

    This lightened up version of collard greens has a lot of flavor but light on the fat and calories.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course: Easy Side Dish
    Cuisine: Southern
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 142.6kcal
    Author: Lisa Grant

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 strips of turkey bacon chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 very large bunch collard greens stemmed and sliced into bite size strips
    • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock plus extra if needed
    • 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil on medium heat in a medium size sauce pan. Add the bacon and saute for a few minutes or until starting to crisp, then set aside on paper towels, leaving the oil in the pan.
    • Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Add the collard greens and cook until they begin to wilt.
    • Pour in the stock, vinegar, sugar and pepper. Cover and lower the heat to a simmer. Let cook until the greens are tender, about 40 minutes.
    • Uncover, add the bacon, raise the heat to medium-high, and reduce the liquid until there is barely any left. Season with salt if necessary.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 142.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.02g | Protein: 5.52g | Fat: 11.33g | Saturated Fat: 2.24g | Cholesterol: 13.72mg | Sodium: 339.09mg | Potassium: 106.04mg | Fiber: 0.17g | Sugar: 3.17g | Vitamin A: 229.5IU | Vitamin C: 1.35mg | Calcium: 8.52mg | Iron: 0.42mg

    Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes like this one. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

    « Frozen Pineapple Raspberry Margaritas
    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings »

    Comments

    1. Lynne Laino says

      January 14, 2018 at 6:39 pm

      My guys love BBQ places too! I’m always disappointed if there are no collards or Mac & Cheese. I make then a lot but usually with ham hocks. I’m definitely going to try your recipe Lisa! Thanks!”

      Reply
    2. Mimi says

      January 15, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so tasty, I would totally eat it as a main too! I love BBQ so much

      Reply
    3. Marta Rivera says

      January 15, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      I love adding smoked ham hocks to my greens. Simmering them for hours so they have just the right bite? MMMMMMM!!! I want a bowlful right now!

      Reply
    4. Mal says

      January 15, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious!! And Holy Collard Green!!!! The size of those leaves is insane!! ("But who am I to tell you to use less fat!" Literally loling over here 😉

      Reply
    5. April says

      January 15, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      Walmart I love how you prepared these collard greens! They look so healthy and delicious and would be a great option for anyone following the Mediterranean diet.

      Reply
    6. Holly Lasha says

      January 16, 2018 at 11:30 am

      This I'm definitely giving a go. I'm not a traditional bacon fan...so this is great!

      Reply
    7. Alida | Simply Delicious says

      November 21, 2018 at 9:49 am

      A classic done right! Love this recipe.

      Reply
    8. Joan says

      November 21, 2018 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      Thanks, Lisa. You’ve inspired me.
      Started Weight Watchers last week and it’s working!
      Will use your recipe tonight and tweak it a little to reduced fat and sugar even more.

      Reply
      • lisa says

        November 21, 2018 at 1:21 pm

        Thank you Joan! WW is a great program and good luck!

        Reply
    9. Jackie says

      March 16, 2019 at 1:55 am

      Hi Lisa
      Do U have an idea of how many pounds of collard greens you used in this recipe.

      Reply
      • lisa says

        March 16, 2019 at 8:40 am

        Hi Jackie. I am thinking about 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. It was a bunch that filled a plastic bag you would see in the produce section. If you get a big bunch, the recipe is forgiving and you should be fine if the amount is off a little.

        Reply
    10. Kim says

      June 02, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      If you add one large onion it will take this recipe from good to great 😉

      Reply
      • lisa says

        June 05, 2020 at 3:35 pm

        Great idea! My family are not big onion fans but I would love it your way.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Ham Hock - Grumpy's Honeybunch says:
      February 11, 2022 at 7:40 am

      […] A perfect match for this Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Pea recipe is Skillet Jalapeno Cornbread (gold) and Braised Collard Greens […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Hi, I'm Lisa

    I love creating recipes and cooking for my family and friends. It's great to bring everyone to my kitchen to talk, laugh and eat. I also like to spread my love for cooking to others. So grab an apron and let's do it together. I promise my recipes will be easy and delicious!

    More about me

    Jersey Girl Cooks is a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates program. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in my website with no extra cost to you, the consumer.

    Footer

    freebie!

    Subscribe for Your Free eBook: 5 Pantry Friendly Dinners

    Subscribe for free!
    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Contact

    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2024 Jersey Girl Cooks • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. • Powered by Feast+

    GDPR Privacy Policy