Collard Greens and Beans

Caramelized onions, garlic, smoky bacon, and creamy cannellini beans add depth of flavor to collard greens. Serve with sour cream or Parmesan cheese.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 25 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 163 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic, or to taste
• 3 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
• 5 cups collard greens, stems and center ribs discarded and leaves chopped
• 0.75 cup water, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook bacon in a large, deep pan with a lid over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate; set aside. Reserve drippings in pan.

Step 2

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onion to pan; cook and stir until begins to brown, scraping bits off the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 4 minutes. Return bacon to the pan; stir in collard greens, toss gently until greens are wilted, about 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add water to almost cover collard greens; stir in vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low; simmer until greens very tender, 1 to 2 hours.

Step 4

Stir cannellini beans into collard greens 30 minutes before serving; return to a simmer.