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

Why do you put vinegar in collard greens? ›

This might seem like an unusual addition if you're new to making collard greens, but the vinegar adds a welcome tangy note that brightens the dish and balances out the salty, savory flavors. A tablespoon of sugar also helps balance out the greens' potential bitterness.

What do you soak collard greens in before cooking? ›

Here's how to properly wash collard greens.
  1. Fill your sink with water, and then add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 3 tablespoons salt. ( ...
  2. Swish this around, and then submerged your greens in the water. ...
  3. Let the greens soak for 20-30 minutes, giving them a good scrub midway.
Aug 1, 2021

How much baking soda do you put in collard greens? ›

All you need to do is add a teaspoon of baking soda to your boiling water or stock to ensure that your collard greens are flavorful, tender, and vibrant. The cooking liquid must reach a boiling point to maximize baking soda's alkalinity so that it can work its magic on the collards.

What takes the bitterness out of collard greens? ›

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Why do you put baking soda in greens? ›

Because baking soda lessens the acidity of the cooking water, it also slows down the chlorophyll dulling process, thereby keeping the veggies greener for longer.

Can you put too much water in collard greens? ›

Make sure you let the water drain out of you collard greens as much as possible. Too much water in your pot will ruin your greens. In a stock pot add Oive Oil, Onion, Green pepper, and Turkey bacon (or your choice of turkey or pork).

How do you make can collards taste better? ›

If you find the flavor of canned collard greens to be lacking, you can add a few ingredients to liven them up. Some options include adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to add tanginess and spice.

Why are collard greens cooked so long? ›

Balance the bitterness by making sure the greens are well-seasoned with salt and include a punch of acidity from vinegar. Long cooking time. Slowly cooking collard greens not only softens the tough leaves, it also tames the leaves' bitter flavor.

Can you overcook collards? ›

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.

What is a substitute for apple cider vinegar in collard greens? ›

Bacon: To substitute cooked ham for the bacon, omit Step 2. Apple cider vinegar: Or substitute any other acid such as lemon juice or white vinegar.

How do you keep collard greens from getting tough? ›

If you prefer extra-tender greens, add 3 cups water to greens in the skillet; season with salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 hour, adding more water as needed.

How do you keep collard greens crisp? ›

Keep them in a plastic bag to retain moisture. How to Pack Them Store well for a few weeks in the refrigerator in plastic bags. While in Storage Remove any yellowing or declining leaves as they appear. Giving the bottom end of the stems a fresh cut every few days helps keep your greens crisp.

Why do you have to wash collard greens so much? ›

Washing fresh collard greens is an important step to get the best flavor from your vegetable and make it safe to eat. One of the easiest ways to begin the washing process for collard greens is to thoroughly soak the leaves in cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes.

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.

How much vinegar do you use to clean greens? ›

Adding vinegar to the water (1/2 cup distilled white vinegar per 1 cup water), followed by a clean water rinse, has been shown to reduce bacterial contamination but may affect texture and taste. After washing, blot dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.

What to do if I put too much vinegar in my greens? ›

Sourness comes from acidic ingredients (including tomatoes, wine and vinegar). If your dish tastes too sour try to add sweetness—think sugar, honey (it's healthy!), cream or even caramelized onions. You can also dilute the dish (same as you would with a dish with too much salt).

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