Vegetarian Collard Greens

Easy Vegetarian Collard Greens recipe.  These greens are simmered in a brown sugar vegetable broth making them full of flavor!

With lots of greens to pick in the garden we are having a side dish of collard greens weekly at the dinner table.  I love these collards so much I’ve been making a big batch to take to work to eat for lunch a few times a week (partnered with some cheese/crackers because I love a mismatched lunch).  

Vegetarian Collard Greens

So many Collard Greens recipes call for chicken broth or ham hocks, but in this recipe I’m using vegetable broth to make it Vegetarian friendly.   I’m adding a little bit of brown sugar into the vegetable broth to balance out the natural bitter flavor that collards give, but not making it too sweet.

Years ago I had some of the best collard greens in North Carolina at a Mom and Pop style restaurant.  I was shocked to find out these weren’t made with meat so I made it a goal to come up with a equally delicious recipe I could make at home! 

From the garden..

To the table..

Can I give a little suggestion too?  If you don’t have a full pound of collard greens, don’t worry.  If you have kale, add that in.  Sometimes I’ll do 1 pound of collards, sometimes I’ll do 12 oz collards/4 oz kale, sometimes I’ll do 8 oz collards/8 oz kale, it all really depends on what we’re growing in the garden.  

You’ll want to start by heating olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium high heat.  Next add red pepper flakes and garlic to give them some flavor.  The collard greens are going to cook down a lot so don’t worry if the pot seems super full when you add them! 

Once it’s been simmering over medium heat for a while all the greens tend to blend together.  When I add kale to it my husband doesn’t even know the difference.

Serve them as a side dish to just about anything, from fancy holiday dinner to sloppy joe sandwiches.

I hope you enjoy this Cooked Collard Greens recipe, it’s one of my current favorites!   

As always if you make one of my recipes share it on Instagram with #brooklynfarmgirl and I will feature it!  

Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Try my Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna or Roasted Vegetable Sandwich!

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Vegetarian Collard Greens

Easy Vegetarian Collard Greens recipe.  These greens are simmered in a brown sugar vegetable broth making them full of flavor!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 pound collard greens - chopped stem removed
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in large pot over medium high heat.
2. Add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add collard greens to pot and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon.

4. Add vegetable broth and brown sugar, mixing so the sugar is combined.
5. Bring to a boil.
6. Cover pot with lid and reduce heat to a low simmer for 45 minutes.
7. Season with salt + pepper when serving.

Recipe Notes

Tip: If you don't have enough collard greens, you can add kale in substitution.