Bacon-Braised Collard Greens
Bacon-Braised Collard Greens deliver tender leaves infused with smoky bacon, sweet onions, and a gentle kick of red pepper. The slow simmer builds rich, comforting depth that pairs beautifully with roasted meats or a weekend barbecue spread. Serve this Southern-style side when you want bold flavor and satisfying warmth on the table.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook1 hr 20 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Bacon-Braised Collard Greens, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 93 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 27
- Heart Health
- 37
- Metabolic
- 27
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 54
- Performance
- 43
- General Wellness
- 1
In a heavy pot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon, turning now and then, until the fat starts to render, about 5 minutes. Drain and discard 1/2 of the bacon drippings.
- 2
Lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and cook while stirring for 2 minutes.
- 3
Turn the heat up to high. Pour 3 cups water into the pot and bring it to a boil, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the collard greens and the remaining 1 cup water; return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the greens are tender, about 1 hour.
- Calories 158.1 kcal Moderate 8%
- Protein 12.53 g Good Source 25%
- Carbohydrate 11.73 g 4%
- Total Fat 7.16 g Moderate 9%
- Saturated Fat 2.38 g Moderate 12%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 19.07 mg Moderate 6%
- Sodium 339.92 mg Moderate 15%
- Dietary Fiber 3.34 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 5.44 g --
- Added Sugars 4.96 g Moderate 10%
- Calcium 9.15 mg Low Source 1%
- Iron 0.56 mg Low Source 3%
- Potassium 124.36 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 40.03 mcg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin C 3.34 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Bacon Braised Collard Greens is a Soul Food side dish recipe made with 8 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 35 mins, serves 8, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Bacon, Black Pepper, Collard Greens, and Minced Garlic. Each serving provides about 158.1 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Bacon-Braised Collard Greens?
- It is a Soul Food recipe made with 8 ingredients, usually served for side dish.
- What is Bacon-Braised Collard Greens made of?
- The main ingredients are Bacon, Black Pepper, Collard Greens, Minced Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes. The full list of 8 is above.
- How long does it take to make Bacon-Braised Collard Greens?
- About 1 hr 35 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 1 hr 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 158.1 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Bacon-Braised Collard Greens easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 8 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Bacon-Braised Collard Greens healthy?
- Bacon-Braised Collard Greens has an easyChef Pro health score of 44/100. Per serving, it provides 158.1 calories and 12.53 g of protein, or 25% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 339.92 mg (15% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 2.38 g (12% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 4.96 g (10% of the Daily Value). It contains Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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