How to Cook Collard Greens - From Garden to Freezer (2024)

FAQs

How to Cook Collard Greens - From Garden to Freezer? ›

If greens are not blanched properly, they will lose their fresh flavor quickly in frozen storage. Steam blanching of greens is not recommended as the leaves mat together and do not blanch properly. Collard greens blanch for three minutes. Other greens for blanch two minutes.

If greens are not blanched properly, they will lose their fresh flavor quickly in frozen storage. Steam blanching of greens is not recommended as the leaves mat together and do not blanch properly. Collard greens blanch for three minutes. Other greens for blanch two minutes.

You can also freeze cooked collard greens, including ham hocks and any broth or other ingredients you used to cook them. Let them cool completely then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible, seal tightly, and label. Keep in the freezer for 3 to 6 months.

Blanch your greens.

Submerge your greens for a short amount of time usually 30 seconds (tender spinach)-3 minutes (big kale) depending on how tender your greens are. I find that a steamer basket makes this process really quick and simple. Blanching is important to help the greens keep better in the freezer.

MSU Extension recommends storing unwashed greens in moist paper towels and placing in sealed plastic bags in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They will keep about three to four days.

Collard greens easily survive below-freezing temperatures in winter. Temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may kill the plants, but a touch of frost makes the leaves sweeter. Many Southern gardeners prefer to plant collards in fall for that reason.

Enzymes and Blanching

Enzymes are naturally occurring substances in plants that control the ripening process. Freezing only slows enzyme activity. Most frozen vegetables will lose quality in the freezer unless they have been blanched.

For tougher greens like kale and collard greens or broccoli leaves, you may need to blanch for 2-3 minutes.

Freezing also temporarily stops bacteria growth. However, as the frozen vegetables are thawed, bacteria can begin to grow, especially if the vegetables are not properly thawed. Blanching the vegetables before preserving improves food safety by killing bacteria that might be on the vegetables.

How long will collard greens last in the refrigerator? ›

Collard greens are in season in spring, winter, and fall. Fruits and vegetables may cost less when they are in season. Choose bunches with dark green leaves with no yellowing. From the date of purchase, fresh collard greens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

It is important to not overcook collard greens or kale, as they tend to give off a sulfur smell and taste bitter. Cut the leaves into one-half inch strips and steam for 5 minutes on the stove. Collard greens make a great addition to eggs and bean soup or can be served alone as a steamed vegetable with a dressing.

Store cooked (and cooled) collard greens in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat on the stove or in increments in the microwave. You can freeze these southern collard greens in zip-top freezer bags for up to 6 months.

Yes and no. If you want to store your frozen leafy greens for several months they need to be blanched first. While you can freeze kale and other leafy greens raw they will only keep for a month to month and a half before the texture, color and flavor all start to deteriorate.

To Freeze Greens

Select young, tender green leaves. Wash the leaves thoroughly and cut off woody stems and fibrous ribs. Water blanch collard greens for 3 minutes and all other greens for 2 minutes. Cool promptly, drain, and package, leaving ½ inch of headspace.

Vacuum sealing not only helps to maintain the flavor and nutritional value of collard greens but also saves space in your freezer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to vacuum seal collard greens for long-term storage.

Thaw the frozen collard greens: Start by thawing the bag of frozen collard greens. You can do this by either placing the bag in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost function on your microwave. Prepare the ingredients: While the collard greens are thawing, gather the rest of your ingredients.

How long can cooked collard greens last? Cooked collard greens last up to a week when you keep them in the fridge. No more than 3 to 4 days is preferable.