Vegan Collard Greens

Collard greens are a southern soul food staple. Usually made with ham hocks or bacon, they are a smoky, flavorful side dish with fried chicken, barbecue and more. Vegan collard greens have all the flavor of any traditional collard greens recipe, only they rely on aromatics and spices instead of meat. Once cooked down, these greens are just as silky and tender as the original version.

Collards are one of our favorite leafy greens. They’ve been around forever too: One of the earliest known members of the cabbage and broccoli family, they began growing around the Mediterranean in prehistoric times. The ancient greens are a great source of calcium, vitamin K and antioxidants.

Packed with flavor, our vegan collard greens recipe is the perfect accompaniment to a rich pot of beans and some cornbread. For meat eaters, these greens will hold up alongside the finest barbecue recipes.

Ingredients for Vegan Collard Greens

• Olive oil: When making this vegetable dish, choose one of the best olive oil brands you can buy. The verdant flavor and the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil are worth the additional cost.
• Aromatics: The combination of garlic and onion is a flavor powerhouse, helping make this collard greens recipe for vegans stand out from simpler wilted greens.
• Vegetable broth: It’s fine to make this dish with water if you don’t have veggie broth, or to use meat broth if you eat meat. If you have store-bought or homemade vegetable broth, you’ll notice the rich flavor it adds.
• Seasonings: Paprika lends an earthy quality to the greens, while crushed red pepper flakes bring the heat. If you want a more smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead.
• Collard greens: Look for deeply colored collard greens with broad, smooth leaves that don’t appear shriveled or wilted.
• Cider vinegar: Adding an acidic ingredient such as cider vinegar to a vegetable dish helps make it taste deep and well-rounded. Cider vinegar is healthy and tangy.
• Hot sauce: A dash of hot sauce is an optional garnish for our vegan collard greens recipe, but it adds a good punch of flavor. Use your favorite brand or make homemade hot sauce from scratch.

Directions

Step 1: Make the braising liquid

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In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the onion until tender, four to five minutes. Add the garlic and cook one minute longer. Add the vegetable broth and water, and bring to a boil.

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Add the salt, paprika and crushed pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium.

Step 2: Cook the collards

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Wash the collards thoroughly and remove the thick stems.

Editor’s Tip: The best way to destem collard greens is to fold the leaf over and remove the rib using your hand or a sharp knife.

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Stack and roll up the collards, then slice them into 1/2-inch-thick strips.

Editor’s Tip: Chiffonade is the technique of rolling up greens and slicing them thinly.

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Add the collards to the Dutch oven and simmer until tender, 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the cider vinegar and hot sauce before serving.

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Vegan Collard Green Variations

• Try other greens: The flavors of this recipe would be great with cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens and especially kale. You’ll want to adjust the cooking time to match the tenderness of the green you’re using. Spinach would take hardly any time, cabbage would be in the middle, and tougher vegetables such as kale would take a little longer.
• Make ’em smoky: Instead of regular sweet paprika, add smoked Spanish paprika. The extra flavor boost will make these taste even more traditional. Don’t have smoked paprika? Try using smoked salt, my favorite type of salt.

How to Store Vegan Collard Greens

Leftover vegan collard greens should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last up to four days.

How do you reheat vegan collard greens?

Reheat cooked collard greens in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring until they’re just heated through. You could also reheat them in a microwave.

Can you freeze vegan collard greens?

You can freeze cooked collard greens in an airtight container or a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag for up to four months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Vegan Collard Green Tips

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Can you make a vegan collard greens recipe in an Instant Pot?

You can cook almost any vegetable in an Instant Pot, including vegan collard greens. Use the saute function to cook the onion and garlic; add the greens, seasonings and broth; and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

What can you serve with vegan collard greens?

Try collard greens alongside southern okra bean stew, contest-winning three-bean soup or black-eyed peas ‘n’ pasta. If you’re into eating meat, the greens are great with Big John’s chili-rubbed ribs, smoked pork butt or barbecue chicken sandwiches.