How To Cook Greens in the Crock Pot
Greens are an incredibly nutritious, low calorie vegetable that can be enjoyed cooked or raw. But for those who like their greens cooked, the crock pot is the way to go. Crock pot cooking is simple and hands-off, so you can let your greens cook while you’re away. Here are the steps to cooking greens in the crock pot.
What You Need
- Fresh leafy greens like spinach, kale, or collards
- A Crock pot
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Optional: Garlic, onions, herbs, and spices
Instructions
- Wash and Prep the Greens – Start by thoroughly washing and drying your greens. If you want to remove the stems, go ahead and do that. You can also chop your greens into smaller pieces if you wish.
- Add the Greens to the Crock Pot – Transfer the washed and prepped greens to the Crock Pot. Don’t worry about crowding the greens in, they will cook down.
- Add Oil and Seasonings – Drizzle a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over the top of the greens and add a few pinches of salt. If you like, add other seasonings like garlic, onions, herbs, and spices.
- Cook the Greens – Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours. The cooking time will depend on the type of greens that you’re using.
- Check For Doneness – Once the cooking time is up, take off the lid and check to make sure the greens are cooked through. If needed, cook for another 30 minutes.
Serving and Storing
Once the greens are cooked, season with a bit more salt or other seasonings to taste. Serve warm and enjoy! To store, let the cooked greens cool in the Crock Pot before transferring to an airtight container. The cooked greens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
