She Strengthens

Savory Collard Greens with Crispy Bacon and Fluffy Dumplings

A Hearty Side Dish That’s Sure to Please

Collard greens are a Southern staple, and when paired with crispy bacon and smoky chipotle peppers, they become a satisfying and flavorful side dish. Add in some tender, biscuit-like dumplings, and you’ve got a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.

The Perfect Combination

The key to this recipe lies in the balance of flavors and textures. The crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory element, while the chipotle peppers bring a subtle heat. The collard greens, cooked low and slow, are tender and infused with the rich flavors of the pot. And the dumplings, light and fluffy, provide a delightful contrast to the hearty greens.

Easy to Make, Impressive to Serve

This recipe may seem complex, but trust us, it’s easier than you think. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you’ll be serving up a dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Let’s Get Started!

For the Collard Greens

• 8 ounces of bacon, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 3 dried chipotle chiles
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 2 cups of water
• 2 pounds of collard greens, tough stems removed, washed, and cut into bite-sized pieces

For the Dumplings

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon of granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt
• 1/2 cup of well-shaken buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Cooking the Collard Greens

1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until brown and crispy, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Remove the bacon from the pot, leaving behind 3 tablespoons of fat.
3. Add the onion, garlic, and chipotle peppers to the pot, cooking until the onion is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Add the water to the pot, bringing to a boil.
5. Stir in the collard greens, adding more as they wilt, until they’re all in the pot.
6. Cover the pot and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the greens are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Making the Dumplings

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the buttermilk and melted butter, stirring until the flour mixture is moistened and a soft dough forms.
3. Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons into the simmering greens, about 1/2 inch apart.
4. Cover the pot and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through and the tops are no longer sticky, about 12-15 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the chipotle peppers from the pot, if desired. Sprinkle the greens with the reserved bacon and serve immediately.