How Many Cups Is 1 Pound of Collard Greens? Raw vs. Cooked

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to Michigan State University, a single pound of raw collard greens typically yields between 6 and 7 cups when chopped. The answer to "How many cups is 1 pound of collard greens?" changes dramatically once the greens are cooked, as they reduce in volume significantly.

Quick Summary

A pound of fresh, chopped collard greens measures 6 to 7 cups, while the same amount cooked down results in approximately 1.5 cups.

Key Points

Raw to cooked ratio: One pound of raw collard greens, once washed and chopped, measures 6 to 7 cups, but shrinks significantly to about 1.5 cups after cooking.
Prepping is key: Proper cleaning and stemming are essential before measuring or cooking collard greens to remove dirt and tough parts.
Cooking method affects yield: The long, slow simmering method typical for Southern-style collard greens causes the most significant volume reduction.
Start with more greens: If a recipe calls for a specific volume of cooked greens, start with more raw weight to compensate for the dramatic volume loss.
Health benefits: Collard greens are a nutritious addition to any diet, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, and antioxidants.

Understanding the Conversion: Raw vs. Cooked

When working with leafy greens like collards, the conversion from a weight measurement (pounds) to a volume measurement (cups) is not straightforward because the volume changes drastically during the cooking process. A one-pound bunch of collard greens is a bulky, large quantity when raw, but it cooks down to a much smaller, more compact serving. This volume reduction is a crucial factor for anyone following a recipe that specifies either cups or pounds.

The initial conversion is fairly consistent: one pound of raw, fresh collard greens will measure about 6 to 7 cups after washing and chopping. The wide leaves and tough stems must be prepped before measuring. The final conversion, however, depends heavily on the cooking method and duration. The moisture loss and wilting of the leaves cause a significant decrease in volume.

The Impact of Cooking on Collard Green Volume

Cooking collard greens, especially in the traditional Southern style, involves a long, slow simmering process that breaks down the tough leaf structure. During this time, the leaves release water and soften considerably, causing them to shrink. This is why you can fit a large pot full of raw greens into a much smaller space after they've cooked down. For a standard recipe that involves simmering or braising, you can expect the volume to shrink to just over a cup and a half.

Step-by-Step Guide: Preparing and Measuring Collard Greens

To ensure accurate measurements and delicious results, follow these steps when preparing your collard greens.

Wash Thoroughly: Collard greens are notoriously gritty. Fill a large basin or your sink with cool water, add a few tablespoons of salt and a half cup of white vinegar, and submerge the leaves. Swish them around and let them soak for 15 minutes to loosen dirt and grit. Rinse each leaf under running water until it feels clean and grit-free.
Destem: Fold each leaf in half lengthwise and run a knife down the tough center stem to remove it. You can also simply pull the leaves away from the stem.
Chop: Stack several leaves on top of each other, roll them into a tight cylinder, and slice them into ribbons (chiffonade) or chop them into 1- to 2-inch pieces, depending on your recipe's needs.
Measure Raw: Once chopped, measure your raw greens. At this point, one pound of prepared collard greens will measure approximately 6 to 7 cups.
Cook and Measure Cooked: Follow your recipe's cooking instructions, such as simmering with a ham hock or sautéing with garlic. After cooking, the volume will be significantly reduced, to around 1.5 cups per pound of raw greens.

Volume Comparison Table: 1 Pound of Collard Greens


State of Greens	Approximate Cup Volume	Notes
Raw, Unchopped	Varies widely	Too bulky to measure accurately by volume; measure by weight.
Raw, Washed, & Chopped	6 to 7 cups	A practical measurement for prepped greens before cooking.
Cooked & Drained	Approximately 1.5 cups	Represents the volume after simmering or braising.

How to Use These Conversions in Your Cooking

Knowing these conversions helps you select the right amount of collard greens for your recipe and predict the final yield. For a slow-simmered side dish for a large family meal, a single pound might not be enough if you need several cups of the finished product. For a smaller side or an ingredient in a larger soup, one pound might be the perfect amount.

If a recipe calls for 1 pound of collard greens, you should buy a standard bunch that weighs around that much and prepare it all. If it calls for 2 cups cooked collard greens, you would need to start with over a pound of raw greens to account for the shrinkage. The Michigan State University Extension provides useful guides on produce conversions for home cooks, reinforcing these general rules.

For a delicious, nutrient-packed dish, consider adding your prepared collards to soups, stews, or sautéed sides. Collard greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, making them a healthy addition to many meals. Cooking them correctly ensures you get all the flavor and nutritional benefits without the tough texture of raw leaves. The tender, silky texture of long-simmered greens is what makes them a Southern cooking staple. Using these conversion guidelines ensures your dishes turn out perfectly every time.

Conclusion

The key to understanding how many cups are in 1 pound of collard greens lies in differentiating between the raw and cooked states. One pound of fresh, chopped greens is about 6 to 7 cups in volume, while that same pound shrinks down to a mere 1.5 cups after cooking. This substantial volume reduction is an important consideration for recipe planning and portioning. By following the proper cleaning and preparation steps and keeping this conversion in mind, you can confidently cook with collard greens and achieve the desired results for any dish.

For more detailed produce information and conversion guides, you can visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

Frequently Asked Questions

One pound of raw collard greens, after being washed, stemmed, and chopped, will measure approximately 6 to 7 cups.

When cooked, one pound of collard greens reduces significantly to approximately 1.5 cups.

Collard greens shrink because they are composed mostly of water, which is released during the cooking process. The heat also breaks down the rigid cell walls, causing the leaves to wilt and compact.

For accuracy, it is best to measure by weight when purchasing or starting with raw greens. However, for a specific texture or final volume, measuring cooked greens by volume is more useful.

The best way to clean collard greens is to soak them in a large basin of cool water with salt and vinegar to help remove grit, followed by a thorough rinsing of each leaf under running water.

The tough center stem of collard greens is typically discarded in most recipes, but the tender, thinner stems can sometimes be chopped and added for flavor and texture, especially in stir-fries.

For a crowd, consider that one pound of raw greens yields about 1.5 cups cooked. For every two cups of cooked greens needed, you'll want to start with more than one pound of raw greens to be safe.