Name: Slow-Cooked Garlicky Greens
Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients: 4 pounds mixed hardy greens (such as Tuscan kale, curly kale, Swiss chard, and/or collard greens; about 6 bunches), ribs and stems removed; Kosher salt; 4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed; 1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 2 chiles de árbol or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; Freshly ground black pepper

Slowcooked garlicky greens in olive oil on a plate.

Slow-Cooked Garlicky GreensPhoto by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott

When working with a large quantity of greens, it’s much easier to sauté them if they’re blanched first. Their time in the olive oil is more for flavoring and reaching the ideal texture.

Recipe information

Yield
Serves 8

Ingredients

4 pounds mixed hardy greens (such as Tuscan kale, curly kale, Swiss chard, and/or collard greens; about 6 bunches), ribs and stems removed

Kosher salt

4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed

1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

2 chiles de árbol or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1
Working in batches, cook greens in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water until just barely wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain; let cool, then squeeze out excess water with your hands. Coarsely chop; set aside.
Step 2
Heat a clean large pot over medium. Cook garlic and 1/2 cup oil, smashing down on garlic with a wooden spoon, until golden and soft, about 4 minutes. Add chiles de árbol and cook 30 seconds to infuse the oil with chile. Reduce heat to medium-low; add reserved greens. Cook, tossing and stirring occasionally, until greens are deep green and tender, 20–30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer greens to a platter and drizzle with more oil.

TagsLeafy Greens Vegetable Garlic Root Vegetable Chile de Árbol Chile Side Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Vegan Vegetarian 5 Ingredients or Fewer Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

37 Garlic Recipes for Those Who Think One Clove Is Never Enough
If you’re a garlic maximalist, you’ve come to the right place.
79 Ways to Eat Your Greens
These great recipes make it easy to get your daily dose.
91 Vegetable Sides for Your Thanksgiving Menu
Here’s how to make sure your guests get plenty of brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and green beans on Turkey Day.
29 Swiss Chard Recipes for Never-Boring Greens
These pastas, soups, dips, and sides make the most of those leaves and stems.
11 Ways to Make Kale Stems Delicious, Too
Stop tossing hearty green stems into the waste bin and start tossing them into your dinner.
Olive Oil Is the Star In These 41 Recipes
It's the key to garlicky confit chicken and moist lemon cake—is there anything olive oil can't do?
Our 101 Favorite Fall Sides
Serve at your next dinner party, weeknight dinner, or any other autumnal occasion.
Our Favorite Sides for Beef Tenderloin
When you're serving a beef roast, you want a side dish with flavor that will stand up to the meat, but won't overpower it. Here are 43 suggestions we love.
6 New Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Updated takes on classic holiday dishes.