Side Dishes
Chardonnay’s Cozy Collards
Ingredients
8 Person(s)
Directions
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1. Cook the Bacon
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the chopped thick-cut bacon over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is nicely browned and has rendered its flavorful fat. The bacon doesn't have to be completely crispy. We're mainly looking for that delicious bacon fat to create the flavor foundation for the greens.
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2. Build the Smoky Flavor
While the bacon is cooking, add a little black pepper, along with some of the liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together and allow the flavors to come together with the bacon.
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3. Add the Collard Greens
Add the collard greens to the pot in batches if needed. As the greens begin to wilt, toss and stir them so they can soak up all that flavorful bacon fat. Continue stirring until the greens have cooked down enough to fit comfortably in the pot.
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4. Season the Greens
Once the greens have started to wilt, add the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Add the remaining liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce, adjusting both to your personal taste. These ingredients are what give Chardonnay’s Cozy Collards that deep, smoky, savory flavor. Add the chicken bouillon and stir everything together.
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5. Add the Butter & Water
Create a small well in the center of the greens and place the stick of butter into the middle. Allow the butter to melt down into the greens. Add enough water to just cover the greens, then gently stir everything together.
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6. Simmer
Bring the greens to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let the collards simmer for about 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the greens cook evenly, prevents anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot, and allows all those flavors to circulate throughout the greens.
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7. Soften the Greens
Toward the end of cooking, add ½–1 teaspoon of baking soda to help soften the collard leaves. Stir well and continue cooking until the greens reach your preferred level of tenderness.
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8. Taste & Adjust
This is where you make them your own! Taste the greens and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more liquid smoke or Worcestershire sauce if you'd like a deeper smoky flavor, more red pepper flakes for additional heat, or more black pepper to taste. I don't add much salt to my collards because the bacon and chicken bouillon already provide plenty of savory flavor.
Chardonnay’s Cozy Collards
There’s something about a big pot of collard greens that just feels like home. My Chardonnay’s Cozy Collards are cooked down with thick-cut bacon, butter, garlic, and plenty of smoky flavor from liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce.
A touch of red pepper flakes gives these greens just enough warmth without making them overly spicy. The result is tender, buttery, savory collards with that comforting Southern flavor that makes you want to go back for another helping.
Chardonnay’s Cozy Kitchen Tip
Taste as you go! That’s one of my favorite parts of cooking. The amount of liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce can be adjusted depending on how smoky and savory you like your greens.
Start with less and build the flavor as the collards cook. There’s no need to rush the process—let those flavors come together in the pot.
The bacon fat, butter, garlic, smoky seasonings, and tender collard greens all come together to make these Chardonnay’s Cozy Collards the perfect comforting side dish for your next family meal or Sunday dinner.