Get ready to transform your breakfast game with a Southern classic that'll make your taste buds dance! This Southern Eggs with Collards and Thick Smoked Bacon recipe is more than just a meal—it's a soul-satisfying experience that combines the rustic charm of Southern cooking with bold, hearty flavors. Imagine crispy bacon, tender collard greens, and perfectly cooked eggs all nestled together in one skillet, promising a breakfast that's both comforting and exciting.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Southern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups collard greens
- 4 slices thick smoked bacon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by washing collard greens thoroughly and removing tough stems. Chop collards into bite-sized pieces.
- Place thick smoked bacon slices in a cold cast-iron skillet. Cook over medium heat, slowly rendering fat until bacon becomes crispy and golden brown, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Remove bacon from skillet, leaving rendered bacon fat in the pan. Set bacon aside on paper towels to drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet with bacon fat, add chopped collard greens. Sauté greens for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and slightly wilted.
- Season collard greens with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning.
- Create four small wells in the sautéed collard greens, allowing direct contact with the skillet surface.
- Crack one egg into each well, allowing eggs to cook slowly in the bacon fat and collard green base.
- Cook eggs until whites are set but yolks remain slightly runny, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Crumble reserved bacon strips over the eggs and collards.
- Remove skillet from heat and serve immediately, ensuring each serving includes an egg, collards, and bacon pieces.
Tips
- Cast-Iron Skillet Magic: Always use a cast-iron skillet for this recipe. It provides even heat distribution and adds an extra layer of flavor seasoning.
- Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut, high-quality smoked bacon for the best flavor and texture. The smokier, the better!
- Collard Green Prep: Remove the tough stems completely and chop greens into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Fat is Flavor: Don't drain all the bacon fat—it's the secret weapon that gives this dish its incredible taste.
- Egg Cooking Technique: Create small wells in the greens and crack eggs directly into them for perfect, evenly cooked eggs.
- Timing is Key: Watch your eggs carefully. For runny yolks, cook about 3-4 minutes; for firmer yolks, extend cooking time slightly.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot straight from the skillet, so time your cooking to serve right away.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 230mg
