How To Cook Canned Collard Greens

Canned collard greens are an easy, inexpensive alternative to fresh greens.

Image Credit: Lara Hata/iStock/GettyImages Collard greens are packed with dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, calcium and iron. A staple in Southern cooking, collard greens can be used in place of other leafy green vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, kale or mustard greens.

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 Fresh collard greens can be tough, and older greens may require up to 45 minutes of cooking to become tender. Canned collard greens can serve as a quick, nutritious and inexpensive substitute. Choose low-sodium brands whenever possible.

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  Related Reading The Nutritional Differences Between Kale, Collard Greens and Swiss Chard

Things You'll Need

Canned collard greens Colander or strainer Saucepan Water Broth (optional) Mixing spoon Instructions

Empty the contents of canned collard greens into a colander or strainer. Rinse the greens with cool water and allow the excess liquid to drain away. Place the drained collard greens into a saucepan. Add a small amount of water, broth or a combination, if desired. Cook on medium heat until the collard greens are hot, stirring frequently. Season the greens as desired and serve.

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 Tip You can also prepare canned collard greens in the microwave. Put them into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for 3 to 5 minutes on high.

Try adding canned collard greens that have been rinsed and drained to stir-fries, soups, salads, pasta dishes and casseroles. Warning Do not skip rinsing and draining the collard greens. A 1/2-cup serving of canned collard greens can contain as much as 560 milligrams of sodium (24 percent of the daily maximum amount for a healthy adult). Rinsing and draining canned collard greens can lower the sodium content per serving.

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  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database: "Collards, Cooked, Boiled, Drained, Without Salt"
    
      Cook's Thesaurus: "Cooking Greens"
    
      Simply Recipes: "Collard Greens"
       




  references
  
      USDA National Nutrient Database: "Collards, Cooked, Boiled, Drained, Without Salt"
    
      Cook's Thesaurus: "Cooking Greens"
    
      Simply Recipes: "Collard Greens"
    




Canned collard greens are an easy, inexpensive alternative to fresh greens.

Image Credit: Lara Hata/iStock/GettyImages

The Nutritional Differences Between Kale, Collard Greens and Swiss Chard

Canned collard greens
Colander or strainer
Saucepan
Water
Broth (optional)
Mixing spoon

You can also prepare canned collard greens in the microwave. Put them into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for 3 to 5 minutes on high. Try adding canned collard greens that have been rinsed and drained to stir-fries, soups, salads, pasta dishes and casseroles.

Try adding canned collard greens that have been rinsed and drained to stir-fries, soups, salads, pasta dishes and casseroles.

Do not skip rinsing and draining the collard greens. A 1/2-cup serving of canned collard greens can contain as much as 560 milligrams of sodium (24 percent of the daily maximum amount for a healthy adult). Rinsing and draining canned collard greens can lower the sodium content per serving.

      USDA National Nutrient Database: "Collards, Cooked, Boiled, Drained, Without Salt"
    
      Cook's Thesaurus: "Cooking Greens"
    
      Simply Recipes: "Collard Greens"