20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (2024)

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 01/31/2023

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It doesn’t have to be kale chips every single time. Try these kale recipes and learn to really love all the different sides of kale.

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (1)

Kale. We can debate if it is a power food, a trend food or a food that is on its way out, but regardless of its category, I love the stuff. Any vegetable that can be anything from a chip to the base of a salad to a great participant in a hearty winter soup is A-okay by me.

I almost always buy kale when I go to the store. The trick is to wash it right away so that it’s ready to use. There’s no excuses then.

I can’t wait to try all these great recipes. Which one are you going to start with?

How to Prep kale

Fill up a very large bowl or your clean sink with fresh cold water.

Cut off the thick middle stems or remove the stems by running your hands down the stem, tearing the leafy part off as you go.

Place the kale leaves in the water and swish them around. All the dirt will fall off the leaves and sink to the bottom of your bowl or sink.

Remove leaves from water and dry well. A salad spinner works great for this! If you don’t have one, lay the kale out on paper towels or a lint-free towel and dry thoroughly.

Store in an airtight container with a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs any extra moisture and helps keep the kale fresh.

Different Varieties of Kale

Buying kale can be a little confusing! Here’s an overview of common types of kale. There are also many other, less common, types of kale, but these are the three that you’ll see most often in grocery stores.

Curly Kale

This is the one you’ll most often see in stores. As its name describes, its leaves have curly edges. It is also typically one of the tougher varieties. We recommend either chopping it quite small, or if you’re using it in a salad, massage the leaves with the dressing you’re using to soften the leaves.

Lacinato Kale

Lacinato kale is sometimes also know as Tuscan Kale or Dinosaur Kale. It is typically darker green than curly kale and slightly more tender. The leaves are flatter and smaller than curly kale.

Baby Kale

Often sold with the pre-packaged salad greens, baby kale features smaller, more tender leaves. It’s great for a quick salad because the leaves are tender and small.

20 Kale Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Kale Soup Recipe

Slow cooker chicken kale soup simmers all day for a healthy, hearty dinner that's ready when you are. It's packed with lean chicken, lots of leafy green kale, cannellini beans, and loads of flavor.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (2)

Stuffed Butternut Squash (Quinoa, Kale & Bacon)

Full of the goodness of fall, stuffed butternut squash is a noteworthy meal and super nutritious!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (3)

One Pan Gnocchi with Kale, Sundried Tomatoes, and Mushrooms

Try one pan gnocchi with kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and mushrooms for a truly delicious vegetarian entree or filling side dish. Ready in just 30 minutes!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (4)

Kale and Pear Salad with Yogurt Dressing

With the surprising addition of fresh mint leaves, this kale and pear salad combines tender kale, juicy ripe pears, briny feta cheese, and a sprinkling of savory granola, topped with a creamy yogurt dressing.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (5)

Creamy Kale Bruschetta

Reminiscent of spinach dip, creamy kale bruschetta will knock your socks off. Crisp bread topped with warm, creamy sauteéd kale, enhanced by a hint of garlic and nutmeg, make this appetizer irresistible.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (6)

Sweet Kale Salad with Dried Cranberries and Poppy Seed Dressing

This sweet kale salad is a copycat of the popular bagged salad you find in grocery stores — but as always, homemade is way better!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (7)

Kale Sweet Potato Salad with Quinoa and Creamy Chili Lime Dressing

Filling and flavorful, this kale sweet potato salad is filled with southwestern flavors and nutritious ingredients! It's great for meal prepping and healthy eating all week long.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (8)

Kale Flatbread with Parmesan and Sundried Tomatoes

Kale Flatbread with Parmesan and Sundried Tomatoes is a quick and easy lunch or a fun appetizer for any gathering. It’s packed with flavor and nutrition!

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (9)

Kale Quinoa Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Feta

This kale quinoa salad is a healthy and hearty salad that stores well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep days. You’ll love the crunchy walnuts and sweet, chewy cranberries!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (10)

Kale Salad with Avocado and Cumin Lime Dressing

This kale salad with avocado has a great southwestern twist and is full of flavor and bright green hues. Salads don’t have to be boring!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (11)

One Pot Green Lentils with Sweet Potatoes and Kale

One pot green lentils with sweet potatoes and kale is a hearty vegetarian meal. It's easy to make and packed with nutrition.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (12)

Kale Salad with Apples and Golden Raisins

The perfect salad to keep in your fridge and grab at lunch time, kale salad with apples and raisins is tangy, tart, sweet, and full of flavorful nutrition.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (13)

Italian Sausage Stew with White Beans and Kale

Healthy, quick, and delicious comfort food. Is there anything better? This Italian sausage stew with white beans, kale, and homemade croutons is dinnertime perfection!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (14)

Kale Salad with Farro and Honey Dijon Dressing

This kale salad keeps really well in your fridge so it's perfect for healthy eating all week! The honey Dijon dressing softens the kale perfectly.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (15)

Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Sun-dried tomato, kale and feta stuffed chicken breasts are impressive enough to serve to guests but easy enough to make for weeknight family dinners.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (16)

One Pan Quinoa with Ground Turkey, Kale, Mushrooms, Tomatoes

One pan quinoa with ground turkey, kale, mushroom and tomatoes is an easy, healthy dinner you can have on the table in 30 minutes.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (17)

Vidalia Onion Tart with Bacon, Kale, and Feta

This Vidalia onion tart will have everyone around you gushing about it. Even my husband – who isn’t crazy about onions, went back for a third helping!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (18)

White Bean Soup with Kale

White bean soup with kale and pancetta has similar flavors as bean with bacon soup, but you can feel good about eating this flavorful and hearty soup.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (19)

Chicken Tortellini Soup with Kale and Pesto

Chicken tortellini soup is easy to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for busy weeknights. Baby kale and pesto guarantee plenty of nutrition and flavor!

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (20)

Zuppa Toscana

Based on the popular soup at Olive Garden, Zuppa Toscana is so creamy and loaded with Italian sausage, russet potatoes, and dark green kale.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (21)

Chicken and Kale Casserole with Whole Wheat Pasta

This chicken and kale casserole is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or bring it to a family who needs a bit of help with meals.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (22)

Moroccan Stew with Butternut Squash and Chickpeas

Vegetarian Moroccan stew with butternut squash and chickpeas sings with a medley of vegetables, raisins, and spices. Serve it with whole wheat couscous and a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a filling meatless main dish.

Check out this recipe

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (23)

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  1. Chris W. says

    Will definitely try the tart! I always have kale in my freezer because my neighbor grows it and they have so much that they cannot use it all so we reap the benefits – yeah! My husband doesn’t care for it raw but I use it in soups frequently. I’m thinking that I could use it even in chicken soup if it’s cut up fairly small. I do have a soup recipe from one of my Trisha Yearwood cookbooks that everyone loves so I love making that one. Anyway, thanks for a really comprehensive list of things to try kale in. Stay safe and warm – it was -7 when I got up this morning!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      How lucky are you to have a kale supplier! It’s cold here in Michigan too – stay warm!

      Reply

  2. Feast on the Cheap says

    Love this! At his last doc appt, we were told my toddler needed to incorporate more leafy greens into his diet since he’s borderline anemic…and that’s no small feat. So we’ve been desperate for ways to sneak it into some of his fave foods. Great list!

    Reply

  3. Erin | The Law Student's Wife says

    Embrace is right!!!!! I feel healthier just reading this list, lol. Thanks for including my recipe!

    Reply

  4. Amy @ Fearless Homemaker says

    What a great roundup! I love kale, but I usually make it the same way every time (sauteed with garlic) so this will be super useful to try some new preparation methods. Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Hindy says

    What a great roundup! Thanks for including my kale recipes!

    Reply

  6. KalynsKitchen says

    What a great collection, and thanks for including me. I’m a bit of a Kaleaholic!

    Reply

  7. Happy Valley Chow says

    Kale is such a versatile and delicious ingredient, all of these recipes look fantastic. Hope you have a great weekend :)

    Happy Blogging!

    Reply

  8. Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says

    You’re not going to believe this, but I finally JUST bought kale for the first time last week. And I’ve been putting it in EVERYTHING. I have no idea why I waited so long, but it will definitely be a staple from now on! Love this roundup!

    Reply

  9. Tina Muir says

    Yay! What a great list! I cannot get enough of kale right now, and now I have some new recipes to try out! Kale is so nutritious and I try to consume lots of it to give me an abundance of nutrients for my training to be the best it can be, now I can change up the recipes even more! Thank you!

    Reply

  10. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    Thank you for including my recipes!!! I am on such a kale kick lately!

    Reply

  11. brandi says

    i want ALL of these!! thanks for the link, friend :)

    Reply

  12. taylor @ greens & chocolate says

    I’ve been on a huge kale kick lately – my favorite quick dinner has been to saute sweet potatoes with shallots, garlic, and kale and once it’s finish top it with globs of Sriracha! Love all of these new ideas too…thanks for including my kale stuffed acorn squash!

    Reply

20+ Amazing Kale Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with too much fresh kale? ›

If you do too, we've got all kinds of kale recipes that show off the variety of ways to put it to work—whether that's baked with coconut flakes and nutritional yeast, blended into a smoothie with avocado, subbed in for basil in a pesto, covered in chicken schmaltz and served up with rice... or, massaged into salads, ...

Is it okay to eat kale every day? ›

Is it OK to eat kale every day? As kale contains a variety of nutrients, a person can consume it regularly as part of a balanced diet. However, some people may need to limit how much kale they consume. These include people taking beta blockers and blood thinners, as well as people with kidney disease.

What takes the bitterness out of kale? ›

Kale leaves can also be massaged with a little olive oil. Adding salt and squeezing lemon make a big difference by removing bitterness.

What makes kale taste better? ›

Kale works best with other robust flavours such as lemon, chilli, garlic, olive oil, cheese, tomato, fresh mint and basil, or as a contrast to sweet potato or carrot. In Italy, where it's commonly grown in backyards, cavolo nero is added to a hearty cannellini bean and vegetable soup called ribollita.

Can I freeze fresh kale? ›

Kale can be frozen without blanching but should be used within 4 weeks. Blanching greens before freezing stops the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves. This will ensure that the leaves taste fresh and will not develop a bitter taste. Blanched kale will last up to 1 year in the freezer.

How to make kale more palatable? ›

In addition to massaging kale, you can reduce its bitter flavor by pairing it with acidic and sweet ingredients, such as citrus juices or vinegars in a dressing and fruits in a salad.

How long does kale last in the fridge? ›

Typical shelf life: Generally, kale can last in the fridge for about five to seven days. The key is to store it correctly to maintain its crispness and nutrients. Impact of temperature and humidity: Kale prefers a cool and slightly humid environment, so the crisper drawer in your fridge is ideal.

Is kale or spinach better for you? ›

"However, if you are looking for a food that is particularly high in fiber, vitamins K and C, kale is a better choice," she said. "If you are looking for a food that is particularly high in folate and a source of iron, and vitamins A and E, then spinach is a better choice."

Does kale detox your body? ›

Kale is probably the most popular green leafy vegetable out there. Not only does kale help aid in detoxification, it also helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood sugar levels .

Is it healthier to eat kale raw or cooked? ›

With this in mind, nutrition experts say that most people should focus on adding more vegetables, like kale, to their diet instead of worrying if raw or cooked kale is better. “Though most cooking methods result in loss of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, kale is still worth eating in whichever form you prefer.

Is it better to eat kale cooked or raw? ›

Raw kale can be hard to digest. Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Nutrition experts say steaming kale is a good way to make it easier to digest while preserving most of the nutrients.

What covers the taste of kale? ›

Add flavor: Pair kale with flavorful ingredients such as lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, or a strong cheese like parmesan.

What is the best flavor of kale? ›

Red (or Red Russian) Kale

— often has red-hued stems. The leaves are flatter than those of curly kale (resembling arugula leaves) and can be green or gray-green in color. Red kale is often considered the sweetest kale, which makes it perfect for eating raw.

Is kale supposed to be bitter or Sweet? ›

Bitter greens are leafy greens or vegetables that have an intense bitter flavor profile. They include kale, mustard greens, collards, turnip greens, broccoli rabe, radicchio, chicory, and endive. The bitterness comes from chemical compounds called glucosinolates that can be found in the Brassica family.

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