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How to Microwave Collard Greens

Perfectly cooked collard greens made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing tender but not overcooked and flavorful greens. This method ensures evenly cooked collard greens, ideal for a nutritious side dish or adding to various recipes.
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Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

3-4 mins
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Free Time

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How to Microwave Collard Greens

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Eat your greens! Steam collard greens in the microwave for just minutes to preserve their vibrant green color and earthy flavor. This quick-cooking method helps prevent the excess bitterness that can happen when cooked on the stovetop or the Instant Pot. Pile a mountain of collard greens into the Anyday and use the lid to stuff as many greens as you can into the dish. The microwave will create enough steam to wilt the greens down, creating a satisfying, comforting side.

Make sure to rinse collard greens thoroughly before cooking! Dirt and grit can hide deep in the leaves. We also recommend removing the stems before cutting each green into thin slices — the stems will take longer to cook and may result in an inconsistent texture.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Eat your greens! Steam collard greens in the microwave for just minutes to preserve their vibrant green color and earthy flavor. This quick-cooking method helps prevent the excess bitterness that can happen when cooked on the stovetop or the Instant Pot. Pile a mountain of collard greens into the Anyday and use the lid to stuff as many greens as you can into the dish. The microwave will create enough steam to wilt the greens down, creating a satisfying, comforting side.

Make sure to rinse collard greens thoroughly before cooking! Dirt and grit can hide deep in the leaves. We also recommend removing the stems before cutting each green into thin slices — the stems will take longer to cook and may result in an inconsistent texture.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Pairs well with

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

3 cups collard greens
  • 3 cups collard greens
  • 6 cups collard greens
  • 9 cups collard greens
  • 12 cups collard greens
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
  • 700w
  • 800w
  • 900w
  • 1000w
  • 1100w
  • 1200w

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Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (75g) collard greens, stems removed and sliced
  • 3 tablespoons water

Preparation

  1. Remove the stems from the collard greens and cut them into thin slices. Note: you may skip this step is using pre-cut collard greens.
  2. Place the sliced collard greens in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water.
  3. After straining, season with salt and pepper. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  4. Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until the greens are tender but not overcooked.

Suggestions

  • Southern-style collards: Try our recipe for Southern-style collard greens with bacon for a classic, flavorful dish.
  • Bean and cheese mix: Toss cooked collard greens with cannellini beans, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hearty, savory side.
  • Quick side dish: Season the cooked greens with a splash of sherry vinegar and a dash of garlic powder for a simple, tangy side.
  • Greens in mac and cheese: Stir cooked collard greens into creamy mac and cheese for a comforting way to boost your greens intake.
  • Soup and stew addition: Add collard greens to soups and stews for extra heartiness and nutrition.

Recipe Notes

  • Rinse collard greens thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt.
  • Add olive oil, butter, or brown butter for extra flavor.
  • Since the stems are heartier than the leaves, they need to be cooked separately or discarded.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Collard Greens

See for yourself— microwaving collard greens is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 3-4 mins
Stovetop* 25-30 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 15-20 mins
*Includes preheat time
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All You Need to Know About Microwaving Collard Greens

How long does take to cook collard greens in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Cook Time
3 cups collard greens 3 tablespoons water 3-4 mins
6 cups collard greens 1/4 cup water 4-5 mins
9 cups collard greens 1/4 cup water 6 mins
12 cups collard greens 1/4 cup water 7-8 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It typically takes around 2-3 minutes for 3 cups of raw collards to cook in the microwave. To tell when collard greens are ready, look for glossy, tender deep green color leaves. You can also test it by biting into a small piece; it should be tender but not mushy with a slight bite.

How do I know when my collard greens are cooked?

Collard greens are cooked through when they turn a deep green color and the leaves look bright and shiny. It’s important not to overcook these greens! Like other cruciferous vegetables, collard greens can release an undesirable sulfur odor when cooked for too long.

How to freeze microwave collard greens?

First, cook the collard greens in the microwave and allow them to come to room temperature. Pack the greens into the 1/2 Cup Anytime Freezer Trays, cover with the lid, and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to reheat frozen collard greens?

Place as many pucks of collards as needed in the Anyday and reheat for 1-2 minutes per puck or until heated through.

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