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This Spicy Collard Greens recipe gives a delicious way to switch up your salad game. The crisp-tender texture and tantalizing mix of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors comes together quickly and is super affordable too.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Collard Greens Recipe!
Take a break from the classic Caesar or vinaigrette salad, and step it up a notch with this fiery collard greens dish! You can make this Southern BBQ staple in less than 20 minutes using a handful of veggies, pantry basics, and just one pan . The combination of crushed red pepper, hot sauce, and maple syrup gives it a distinctive sweet-spicy kick, unlike any other salad you have tried.
Plus, collard greens are a cruciferous vegetable that boast quite an impressive nutritional profile. They are low in calories, nutrient-dense, full of vitamins, and brimming with fiber and antioxidants! Though they can be eaten raw, I prefer them slightly cooked to develop the flavor and make them delightfully tender.
Spicy Collard Greens Ingredients
- Aromatics: I used diced onions, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper as a savory flavor base for this salad.
- Collard greens: Are often confused with kale, but these are two different cruciferous veggies. While kale leaves are curly and narrow, collard greens are flat and large. They do taste similar, though collard greens are milder in flavor.
- Maple syrup: You can also use agave nectar as a substitute.
- Crushed red pepper: You can sub with chili powder or paprika if you’d like.
- Hot sauce: The amount depends on how spicy you want the salad to be. I find a couple of dashes are enough, especially paired with crushed red pepper. But feel free to reduce or add more.
How to Prepare Collard Greens
Unlike some greens, like arugula and spinach, collard greens require a bit more preparation before cooking them. Do not worry! It is not a lot of work, just a few easy steps to ensure that you have perfectly delicious collard greens every time.
Step 1: Clean them. Wash the collard green thoroughly in running water until all the dirt has been removed. Pat dry with a paper towel or dry cloth.
Step 2: Cut off bitter stems and ribs. Place the clean leaves on a cutting board and slice off the stem and rib parts. These are tough and bitter, so you do not want them in your salad.
Step 3: Slice into bite-sized pieces. Next, roll the leaves together in a bunch and slice through them vertically in about 1-inch strips. That’s it!
Note: If you are using collard greens in other recipes that do not require sautéing to soften them, I recommend steaming the leaves first to make them easier to eat and less bitter to the taste. I learned this from making my Collard Green Lunch Wraps, which you can try if you have leftover leaves.
How to Make Spicy Collard Greens
Step 1: First, saute bell pepper, onion, and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes on a nonstick or lightly oiled pan over medium heat.
Step 2: Next, add chopped greens, syrup, crushed red pepper, and hot sauce. Make sure to do a taste test and make adjustments to your liking.
Step 3: Once the spicy collard greens are slightly wilted and softened, remove from pan and serve warm!
Toni’s Tips for Making Spicy Collard Greens
- Dry the leaves! Make sure to completely dry the collard green leaves before adding them to the pan. If they are watery, it will create steam making the veggies limp and soggy.
- Add more greens. You can add more green leafy vegetables like arugula, kale, and spinach to the salad. Not only will this give you a range of flavors, but it will also give it more body and texture.
- Mix in some nuts. Add more flavor and crunch by adding some nuts or seeds too.
- Add some berries. Amp up the sweetness by adding dried fruits or berries like apricots, cranberries, and prunes. They will also add more color to your salad.
- Adjust the seasonings. Spice it up by adding herbs like mint, basil, parsley, tarragon, cilantro, and dill. Looking for ways to keep your herbs fresh longer, check out this great guide!
Serving Suggestions
This spicy collard green salad is best served warm, right after cooking. Here are some ideas to pair it with:
- BBQ Mains: Stick with the Southern roots and serve with BBQ favorites like, BBQ Jackfruit or BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches, BBQ Tempeh, Grilled Tofu Steaks, or one of many delicious Burger options.
- BBQ Sides: Serve up a couple more favorite BBQ sides, like Mac and Cheese, Summer Pasta Salad, Crunchy Kale Slaw, French Potato Salad, or Homemade Baked Beans.
- Mains: Switch up the green salad alongside other classic mains, like Tofu Fried Chicken, Lentil Shepherd’s Pie, Lentil Loaf, or Black Bean Meatballs.
- Corn Bread: A perfect match for greens! Whether Skillet Cornbread, Jalapeno Cornbread, or Sweet Potato Cornbread.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: In case you have leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.
Reheat: You can enjoy them chilled or warmed in the microwave for a few seconds.
More Tasty, Healthy Salad Greens Recipes!
Vegan Side Dishes
Quick and Easy Artichoke Salad
Vegan Lunches
Kale Garbanzo Bean Salad
Vegan Lunches
Wild Rice Salad Recipe
Vegan Appetizers
Pear Salad
If you tried this spicy collard greens recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
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Spicy Collard Greens
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Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup of diced onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups of chopped collard greens
- 1 teaspoon of maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper
- A couple dashes of hot sauce
Instructions
- In a nonstick or lightly oiled pan, saute the bell pepper, onion, and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add chopped greens, syrup, crushed red pepper, and hot sauce.
- Cook until greens have softened, about 3-5 minutes depending how tender you like your collard greens.
Notes
- Dry the leaves! Make sure to completely dry the collard green leaves before adding them to the pan. If they are watery, it will create steam making the veggies limp and soggy.
- Add more greens. You can add more green leafy vegetables like arugula, kale, and spinach to the salad. Not only will this give you a range of flavors, but it will also give it more body and texture.
- Mix in some nuts. Add more flavor and crunch by adding some nuts or seeds too.
- Add some berries. Amp up the sweetness by adding dried fruits or berries like apricots, cranberries, and prunes. They will also add more color to your salad.
- Adjust the seasonings. Spice it up by adding herbs like mint, basil, parsley, tarragon, cilantro, and dill. Looking for ways to keep your herbs fresh longer, check out this great guide!
I definitely need to try this out!
You’re going to love it!