Slow-Cooked Collard Greens in Olive Oil

Name: Slow-Cooked Collard Greens in Olive Oil
Total time: 1 h 39 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 8 cloves garlic; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 2 bunches collard greens; 1 to taste kosher salt; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; ¼ teaspoon sugar

Tender collard greens slowly simmered with garlic and olive oil until meltingly soft, finished with a bright splash of apple cider vinegar. This Southern-inspired side dish offers the perfect balance of healthy greens and rich olive oil.

6 servings

1 hr 39 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
•8 cloves garlic
•½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
•2 bunches collard greens
•1 to taste kosher salt
•1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
•¼ teaspoon sugar

Cooking Instructions

1.
Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large saucepan over medium. Cook garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring often, until garlic is golden, about 4 minutes.
4 min
2.
Add collard greens to saucepan a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is wilted before adding the next. Season with salt and add 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat so mixture is at a very gentle simmer. Cover and cook, occasionally removing lid to stir, until greens are tender and very dark green, 1-1 1/2 hours.
90 min
3.
Let cool slightly, then stir vinegar and sugar into greens. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with more oil and a splash more of vinegar if desired.
5 min