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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.
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
4.39 from 18 votes
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.
One Pan Gnocchi with Kale, Sundried Tomatoes, and Mushrooms
4.38 from 8 votes
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!
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.
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.
Kale Sweet Potato Salad with Quinoa and Creamy Chili Lime Dressing
5 from 3 votes
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.
Kale Flatbread with Parmesan and Sundried Tomatoes
5 from 1 vote
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!
Kale Quinoa Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Feta
4.67 from 3 votes
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!
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.
Healthy, quick, and delicious comfort food. Is there anything better? This Italian sausage stew with white beans, kale, and homemade croutons is dinnertime perfection!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
How lucky are you to have a kale supplier! It’s cold here in Michigan too – stay warm!
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!