There is nothing better than serving Brazilian collard greens to accompany our delicious rice and beans or feijoada on the weekend!
Collard Greens Recipe
We Brazilians eat collard greens pretty often.
We use them in juices and salads or cook them, as I’ll demonstrate in this recipe.
It’s easy peasy to prepare these leaves and today’s recipe is no different. That makes it a perfect side dish—you can make it in no time.
We usually serve collard greens with feijoada because it adds some lightness to the meal, but it’s a side dish for any meal, really.
Further, I usually prepare it with bacon unless I’m serving it with feijoada, which already has bacon. In that case, I leave it out.
Still, we always use garlic in Brazilian cuisine, so there is at least one clove of garlic in every Brazilian recipe, lol.
Preparing fresh collard greens
It’s super easy to make this Brazilian collard greens recipe.
First off, wash the collard greens under cold water and dry them carefully.
Then, remove the stem of the leaves. You can do it in a bunch, but I personally prefer to do it one by one.
Once you have done a few, it becomes a fast process.
Then, roll the leaves together and slice them into thin pieces. That’s it! It’s that easy.
Can you freeze collard greens?
Absolutely! Collard leaves are dark leafy greens that can be frozen to preserve them for longer.
Cut them into small pieces, place them in plastic bags, and freeze.
When ready to use, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw.
How to cook Brazilian collard greens
This side dish is very versatile, making it possible to pair it with many Brazilian dishes.
You can serve these green leaves with:
Feijoada – Black bean stew (make it without bacon!)
Grilled meat
Breaded chicken
Pasta with light sauce
For how long can you store the leftovers?
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. Before eating it, warm it up in the microwave or a pan.
Brazilian Collard Greens
There is nothing better than serving Brazilian collard greens to accompany our delicious rice and beans or feijoada on the weekend!
Ingredients
- 2 large bunches fresh collard greens
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 thick strips smoked bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the collard greens under cold water and gently dry with paper towels. Remove the stems.
- Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the rolled leaves. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the bacon and cook until brown–for about 2-3 minutes. Add the onions and cook until translucent and soft. Stir in the garlic for one minute or until fragrant.
- Add the collard greens and sauté, tossing gently with the rendered oil. Cover and cook until they are wilted and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
- Bom apetite!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 179mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Brazilian collard greens. If so, please help me spread the word about it. Also, feel free to drop your questions in the comment section below. Bom apetite!