Not sure how to clean collard greens? It's easier than you think!
Collard greens, a southern staple in the winter garden and southern cuisine, are delicious and nutritious. Whether you've grown your own collards in the home garden or picked up a bunch of collards at the farmer's market or grocery store, they will all need to be cleaned.
Nobody wants gritty collards, so follow these easy instructions to clean that bunch of collard greens, and you'll have a much happier experience.
Why Clean Collard Greens?
Aren't collards just like lettuce? Can't they just get a gentle rinse and be done? Unfortunately not. To clean collard greens is a little more in depth, but I'll show you the easiest way to clean them.
This same method can be used for turnip greens, kale, and mustard greens as well.
Collard greens grow close to the ground, so they often carry dirt, sand, and grit. Their large, textured leafy greens can trap debris, insects, or pesticide residue. A single rinse usually isn’t enough to remove everything, which is why multiple washes are needed.
What You Will Need
- 1 bunch of fresh collard greens
- 1 large bowl or sink basin for soaking
- 1 colander for rinsing
- Cold water
- Cooking shears or a sharp knife
- Paper towels or a clean kitchen towel for drying
How to Clean Collard Greens
- Prepare Your Washing Station: Gather all your cleaning supplies in a well-lit area, ensuring you have easy access to cold water, a bowl or sink basin for soaking, and a colander for rinsing.
- Inspect the Greens: Carefully examine the collard greens for any signs of damage or pest infestations. Remove any discolored or wilted leaves, and check for other leaves that may have been harvested along with the collards.
- Remove the Stems: Using cooking shears or a sharp knife, cut off the tough stems at the base of each leaf. This prepares the greens for better cleaning and cooking.
- Soak the Collard Greens: Fill your large bowl or sink basin with cold water and submerge the collard greens. Allow them to soak for about 10 minutes. This helps loosen any dirt or grit that may be clinging to the leaves.
- Swirl the Greens: Gently agitate the greens while they soak by swirling them around in the water with your hands. This will help dislodge any stubborn debris.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Carefully lift the greens out of the water to avoid displacing dirt back onto them. Transfer the collard greens to a colander and rinse them under cold, running water. Ensure to separate the leaves gently with your hands to wash away any remaining residue.
- Check for Remaining Dirt: After rinsing, inspect the greens one more time. If you still see dirt or sand, repeat the soaking and rinsing process until the water runs clear and the leaves are clean.
- Dry the Greens: Lay the rinsed collard greens flat on a clean kitchen towel or layered paper towels. Gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture, preparing them for cooking or storage.
Tips for Cleaning Collards
- Use a Salad Spinner: For even better drying with small collard batches, consider using a salad spinner after rinsing. This method quickly removes excess water, making the greens ready for your dishes.
- Clean in Batches: If you have a large quantity of collard greens, it’s smart to clean them in batches. This ensures even soaking and a thorough rinse. Though, I've known people to use a bathtub for large batches, but I'm not advising that. 🙂
- Be Gentle: When handling the leaves, be gentle to avoid tearing them. This preserves their texture for cooking and presentation.
- Consider Organic Greens: Choosing organic collard greens can reduce chemical exposure, which may make the cleaning process quicker and less intensive. Or consider growing your own collards! They are incredibly easy to grow in the fall and winter garden.
How to Store Clean Collard Leaves
To store clean collard greens:
- Dry them thoroughly – Use that salad spinner or pat with a clean towel to remove excess moisture, as dampness can speed up spoilage.
- Wrap loosely in paper towels – This helps absorb remaining moisture.
- Place in a perforated plastic bag or an unsealed zip-top bag – Then store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
Properly stored, clean collard greens can last up to 5–7 days.
Need an idea for using those clean collard leaves? Check out my Balsamic Bacon Collards recipe for a quick weeknight side dish that's delicious and comes together in just minutes. It's not the all-day, cook with ham hocks method of my mom and granny, but it's still very tasty and much faster.
Do you have a tip for cleaning collards at home? Be sure to comment below and let me know! I'm always looking for ways to clean and cook southern collard greens!
Looking for garden planners or help preserving goods from the garden? Check out my store The Kitchen Garten Shop for all kinds of helps!
