Collard greens cooking time varies depending on the method and desired tenderness:
- Southern-style simmering: Typically, collard greens are cooked covered on low to medium heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until tender
. Some recipes suggest cooking for 1 to 2 hours for very tender greens
. Stir occasionally during cooking.
- Quick sauté method: When sliced thin and cooked in a hot skillet with olive oil, collard greens can become tender in about 3 to 6 minutes. This method produces greens with some crisp, browned edges
- Slow cooker: Cooking collard greens in a slow cooker on high takes about 3 to 6 hours, or 6 to 8 hours on low, until they reach the preferred texture
- Young, fresh greens: These may cook faster, around 15 minutes, while older, tougher greens may take up to 45 minutes
In summary, stovetop simmering usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, quick sautéing takes under 10 minutes, and slow cooking takes several hours depending on the heat setting and recipe style.
