Description
This Southern-Style Braised Kale recipe offers a flavorful and hearty way to enjoy leafy greens. Braised with smoky bacon, aromatic onions, and a seasoned broth featuring apple cider vinegar and spices, it delivers a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors. An ideal side dish for comforting Southern meals, this healthy and satisfying kale preparation wilts down to tender perfection over a gentle simmer.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth
- 2 cups Water
- 2 teaspoons Sodium-Free Chicken Bouillon
- 1/4 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 Bay Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Celery Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices Bacon
- 1 cup Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 1 bag Kale (about 10–12 cups, packed)
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: Combine 2 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of sodium-free chicken bouillon, 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 3 bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl or cup. Stir well to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Heat the broth mixture: Place the prepared broth mixture in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. This helps dissolve the bouillon and spices, ensuring an even flavor distribution. Stir the mixture again after heating and set it aside.
- Sauté bacon, onion, and garlic: In an extra-large saucepan, add 4 slices of bacon, 1 cup of chopped yellow onion, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon browns and onions soften.
- Add kale to the pan: Place the entire bag of kale into the saucepan with the bacon and onions. It is okay if the kale is packed tightly as it will wilt down significantly as it cooks.
- Pour in the broth: Carefully pour the prepared and heated broth mixture over the kale in the saucepan. Turn up the heat to bring the liquid to a boil, which should take about 3 minutes.
- Simmer the kale: Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook the kale for an additional 40 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes to rotate the leaves from bottom to top and ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
- Serve: Once tender and flavorful, serve the braised kale immediately as a hearty side dish. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated before serving.
Notes
- Using sodium-free chicken bouillon helps control the salt level in this dish.
- Stirring occasionally during simmering prevents the kale from sticking and promotes even cooking.
- Bacon can be substituted with smoked turkey or omitted for a vegetarian variation, adjusting seasoning accordingly.
- If kale is very tough, increase simmer time by 10-15 minutes until desired tenderness is reached.
- This dish pairs well with Southern staples like cornbread, fried chicken, or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Keywords: southern kale recipe, braised kale, bacon kale, healthy greens side dish, southern cooking, comfort food greens
