Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (2024)

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by Regina | Leelalicious 13 Comments

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Collard Green Roll Ups are a new spin on classic cabbage rolls. They are filled with a ground beef and rice mixture and cooked in a tasty bacon tomato sauce.

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (1)

Collard Greens meet Cabbage Rolls = Collard Green Roll Ups.

Our weeklyCSA box contents have really challenged my culinary creativitythis summer. There are large amounts of zucchini and kale and beetto use up. Hopefully in non-repetitive ways.

And then there are the veggies and greens I had never tried, much less prepared before. Last week we had Swiss Chard that I incorporated into a warming curry dish.

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (2)

Making Use Of Collard Greens

This week we have Collard Greens! I have to admit, at first I was a little stumped on what to do with these ginormous green leaves. To get a little more familiar with my new acquaintance, I read up on them on Wikipedia. There I learned that they are part of the cabbage family.

And as such, the idea of 'cabbage' rolls in collard greens was born! These Collard Roll Ups are filled with a seasoned ground beef mixture with rice, onions and parsley.

How do you chop a lot of parsley? Whenever I need a larger amount of freshly chopped parsley I put it in a small cup and go at itwith my kitchen scissors. I found this to be much faster and less messy compared to using a cutting board.

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (3)

Use Rice To Keep Everything Moist

You can use any kind of ground meat for these roll ups. The rice in the mixture helps to loosen the meat so you don't end up with a tough and dense log of meat. I tried using brown rice, but white or especially sticky rice help to keep everything together.

To soften the collard greens in order to form nice rolls, they are steam cooked in just a little water. Remove the hard stem first. My collard leaves were so big, that I used only half a leaf per roll.

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (4)

Once the roll ups are formed they are steam cooked in a delicious bacon tomato sauce. In Germany, cabbage rolls are often served with potatoes. But pasta also works really great with the remaining tomato sauce.

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (5)

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (6)

Collard Green Roll Ups

5 from 1 vote

Collard Green Roll Ups are a new spin on classic cabbage rolls. They are filled with a ground beef and rice mixture and cooked in a tasty bacon tomato sauce.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Ingredients

  • ½ cup white rice I used sticky rice
  • bunch of collard greens enough for 4-5 big roll ups
  • 7 ounces ground beef
  • ½ medium onion
  • 2 tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • salt and pepper about ½ and ¼ teaspoon
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 bacon strips
  • 1 cup broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce

Instructions

  • Steam or cook the rice but not until fully done (about 15 minutes) and let cool.

  • Remove the stems of the collard greens and place the leaves in a large pot with about an inch of boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam cook for about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. This will soften the leaves for rolling up.

  • In a bowl combine ground beef, cooled rice, parsley, mustard, salt and pepper, and chili powder. Place about a quarter (to ⅕) of the mixture on top of a collard green leaf. Roll up tightly while tucking in the sides.

  • Cut the bacon into thin strips brown them in a large pan over medium-high heat. When the bacon starts to brown place the collard roll ups in the pan, seam side down, and cook until the bottom is browned (this will keep the roll ups closed).

  • Add broth and tomato sauce to the pan. The roll ups should be covered half way. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Keyword Collard Green Roll Ups

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Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (7)

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Random Questions

Why do you put vinegar in collard greens?

Adding vinegar to collard greens helps to balance their natural bitterness and enhance their flavor profile. It also aids in tenderizing the greens during the cooking process.

What's so special about collard greens?

Collard greens are packed with nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and various minerals. They are known for their robust, earthy flavor and their versatility in various culinary preparations.

What do you soak collard greens in before cooking?

Collard greens are often soaked in water before cooking to help remove any dirt or debris that may be on the leaves. This process ensures that the greens are thoroughly cleaned before being incorporated into recipes.

What are 3 ways you can eat collard greens?

Collard greens can be prepared in various ways, including steaming, sautéing, or braising. They can be served as a side dish, added to soups or stews for extra nutrition and flavor, or even used as a wrap for various fillings, as seen in the collard green roll-ups recipe.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Christine

    This may seem like a silly question, but is it prepared mustard or dry mustard?

    Reply

    • Regina | Leelalicious

      I used prepared mustard. But I think dry mustard powder may not be that bad either.

      Reply

  2. Howard

    I found your recipe online and was very intrigued by it. I made this last night for dinner and it was a huge hit with Both me and my husband. I served this over creamy Parmesan grits. This was not only delicious, but looked like it could’ve been served in a fancy restaurant. Combined with the fact that this was relatively easy to put together and that I usually have most of the ingredients on hand, this is going to be in my regular dinner rotation from now on.

    Reply

  3. Angie (@angiesrecipess)

    These collard rolls look so inviting and perfect with that bacon tomato sauce.

    Reply

    • Regina

      Thanks a bunch Angie!

      Reply

  4. Cate @ Chez CateyLou

    I love this recipe! These look so delicious, and so cool. Those giant collard leaves are gorgeous!

    Reply

    • Regina

      Thanks so much Cate 🙂

      Reply

  5. Amy @ Fearless Homemaker

    Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (8)
    Okay, this recipe is brilliant! I love collard greens, and I love stuffed cabbage, so this marriage between the two of those is totally calling out to me! And that last picture is seriously making me drool! YUM!

    Reply

    • Regina

      Thank you Amy 🙂

      Reply

  6. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    oh my goodness, I love this recipe! I love how CSA's inspire people to get creative with vegetables! I have your Chicken Chickpea Curry with Swiss Chard recipe printed out and ready to try soon! Pinning this one. . love it! Collard greens aren't used enough!

    Reply

    • Regina

      I am not even sure if my regular super market ever has collard greens. So glad I am introduced to new veggies through the CSA box. Thanks for the pin love 😀

      Reply

  7. Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen

    I'd love to be able to participate in a CSA, they always seem so fun and a great way to support local produce and farmers. That bacon tomato sauce sounds heavenly!

    Reply

    • Regina

      Soo fun! Hope you get a chance too one day.

      Reply

Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups Recipe » LeelaLicious (2024)

FAQs

What does adding vinegar to collard greens do? ›

When vinegar is added to collard greens, it helps to break down some of the tough fibers in the greens and tenderize them. Additionally, the acidity in the vinegar can help to enhance the flavors of other ingredients in the dish, such as onions, garlic, and smoked meats.

How many bunches is 2 pounds of collard greens? ›

A bunch is usually about 20 whole large leaves or a little over 1.5- 2 lbs (before stems are removed). If you purchase whole collard greens from the store, they are usually already in a bunch.

What makes collards taste good? ›

Collard greens are often cooked with smoked and/or salted meats (ham hocks and bacon are popular choices), onions, vinegar, pepper, and salt.

Why does collard greens take so long to cook? ›

Long cooking time.

Slowly cooking collard greens not only softens the tough leaves, it also tames the leaves' bitter flavor.

Which vinegar is best for collard greens? ›

Apple cider vinegar: Collards can be notoriously bitter. The vinegar balances the flavor and removes the bitterness. Stone House Seasoning: My favorite house blend seasoning of garlic, salt, and pepper. Sugar: A little bit helps remove any bitterness from the collard greens while giving a slightly sweet flavor.

What takes the bitterness out of collards? ›

The foods that help reduce bitterness are: Salt while cooking and/or while eating (like on bitter salad greens) Sweet or Spicy. Sour or Acids like lemon or vinegar.

How many bunches of collard greens to feed 10 people? ›

Collard greens cook down a tremendous amount, so if you're looking to feed a large group, buy at least 2 large bunches for this recipe, which depending on the size of the bunches, will feed 6-8 people, or more.

What is the best meat for collard greens? ›

The most authentic collard greens, in my opinion, are made with smoked ham hocks or bacon. But, as time has passed, society has gotten more health conscious. So, many families began using alternatives such as smoked turkey necks, wings, and tails.

How many pounds of collard greens to feed 50 people? ›

Pour 3 quarts (about 5 pounds 1 ounce) collard greens into a steam table pan (12" x 20" x 2½"). For 25 servings, use 1 pan. For 50 servings, use 2 pans.

What can I put on my greens to make them taste better? ›

Adding Flavor to Cooking Greens

Add chopped onions, garlic, or bacon to the cooking liquid. Top cooked greens with crumbled crisp-cooked bacon. After cooking, sprinkle greens with balsamic or cider vinegar.

What are the side effects of collard greens? ›

Collard greens are healthy for you, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Collard greens are full of fiber, which takes longer for your body to digest than many other substances. Eating too much fiber at once can lead to uncomfortable side effects like bloating or gas.

Are collard greens good for your kidneys? ›

Green lettuce, kale, arugula and collard greens are the low potassium greens that can easily be including in a kidney-friendly diet 💚 🚨 BUT, it's important to remember that the amount of potassium in 1 cup of these greens changes as you cook 🧑🏻‍🍳 M. How well do you know your kidney-friendly leafy greens?

Why put baking soda in collard greens? ›

Baking soda has infinite uses in cooking and beyond: It's a leavening agent, an odor neutralizer, and an antacid to name a few. In the case of collard greens, baking soda's utility is threefold, serving as a flavor enhancer, a tenderizer, and a color protector.

Can you overcook collard greens? ›

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.

Is it possible to overcook collard greens? ›

Yes you can overcook collard greens. If cooked too long, they turn mushy, not so much the stalks, but the thinner leaves.

When should I add vinegar to my collard greens? ›

Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, then remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and add the vinegar and a teaspoon of hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning, if needed, then put it into a serving bowl.

Why do you soak greens in vinegar? ›

However, if you're looking for a green and cost-effective way to clean up that produce, our favorite way is to washing vegetables wiith vinegar and water. Research suggests that this simple trick can remove pesticides and kill up to 98% of bacteria.

Does vinegar take the bitterness out of greens? ›

Acids, like vinegar and citrus juice, help to brighten up bitter greens and provide a light contrasting flavor.

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