30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (2024)

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (1)

Years ago, kale exploded as a salad green thanks to, as the story goes, a winter produce shortage that led a few New York chefs to turn to the under-appreciated green. We’re so glad they did, and that kale is no longer relegated to just being a sad plate garnish. Get inspired to use it yourself with our 30 recipes that celebrate kale.

If you’re unfamiliar, kale is a member of the brassica family, alongside other faves like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. We LOVE how versatile these veggies are, and kale is no different. There are two main types to look out for: lighter green curly kale, and darker green lacinato kale (also known as tuscan or dinosaur kale for its bumpy, “scaly” leaves). Both work well in most applications, though we’re often partial to lacinato for its slightly sweeter taste and less tough stems. Hot tip: if you’ve ever had kale and thought it was too bitter or tough, try massaging it first. You could use tongs if you have them, but the best way is to add a little dressing or olive oil and really get in there with your hands.

When it comes to the best application for kale, you really can’t beat a soup or salad—it’s hearty enough to turn them into a full meal, like in our coconut ranch kale salad or white bean and sausage kale soup (+ a slow cooker option!), or can be enjoyed as a simple side, like in our Lolita’s kale salad. It’s both heartier to eat and to grow, which means it’s a great winter option when spring and summer greens are unavailable. Use it to jazz up a stuffing or alongside cranberries and sweet potatoes for a holiday side everyone will love.

Kale is also one of the most nutrient-dense veggies available, and is full of vitamins and antioxidants. Because of that, we’re putting it into smoothies and enjoying it as a healthy snack, like in our cool ranch kale chips (or try them in your air fryer!).

For more leafy green inspiration, check out our lists of our favorite spinach and arugula recipes too.

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1

Tomato Fried Rice Salad

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (3)

How does a bowl of warm, savory grains and tender, dressed greens with creamy crumbly feta on top sound to you? With much of the same toppings as our classic Greek Salad but with an element of hearty carbs added, this is as much a salad as it is a rice bowl.

Get the Tomato Fried Rice Salad recipe.

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2

Best Vegetarian Kale Soup

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (5)

If you want this soup to be extra thick and creamy, you could immersion blend it before adding the kale. We like it chunky, so we just mash the beans to thicken it once they come to a simmer.

Get the Best Vegetarian Kale Soup recipe.

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3

Coconut Ranch Kale Salad

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (7)

This vegan coconut ranch is absolutely irresistible. (Seriously, you'll want to dip everything in it.) But the crunchy chickpeas may just be our favorite part. Who needs croutons?

Get the Coconut Ranch Kale Salad recipe.

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4

Air-Fryer Kale Chips

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (9)

These air fryer kale chips are a super tasty way to start a healthy chip habit. They take just minutes to prepare and using your air fryer means less grease and guilt. Feel free to customize your chips with different herbs and spices—the possibilities really are endless.

Get the Air-Fryer Kale Chips recipe.

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5

Turkey, Mozzarella, and Kale Pesto Panini

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (11)

Combining kale and basil for this pesto make this pressed grilled cheese sandwich extra special. Omit the turkey if you want a vegetarian option!

Get the Turkey, Mozzarella, and Kale Pesto Panini recipe.

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6

Creamy Shrimp Linguine

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Linguine with tomatoes, greens, and shrimp in a buttery sauce is so simple, yet so good. Stir in a bit of fresh lemon zest at the end before tasting for salt—sometimetimes a little citrusy brightness is all it will need.

Get the Creamy Shrimp Linguine recipe.

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7

Chicken Heart Kale Breakfast Cups

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (15)

Chicken hearts, like most offal meat, are underrated. We've made it our mission to preach the offal gospel to omnivores and meat lovers everywhere and this recipe is no exception. You can use any hearty green leaf, any seasoning, any peppers you can get your hands on; you use any crumbly cheese; you can even switch out the chicken hearts for gizzards or liver.

Get the Chicken Heart Kale Breakfast Cups recipe.

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8

Lolita's Kale Salad

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (17)

At Lolita’s, one of Poughkeepsie, NY’s best restaurants, the ultra-creamy kale salad is bound with what is essentially a Caesar dressing amplified by extra lemon juice, and then grounded and offset by toasted breadcrumbs, pistachios, and Pecorino.

Get the Lolita's Kale Salad recipe.

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9

Slow-Cooker Sausage and White Bean Soup

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (19)

A good, hearty white bean soup is one of our favorite ways to warm up in the colder months. The best part of this particular one? You can make everything in the slow cooker, which means less mess and less work. We *do* suggest searing the sausage though, if you can swing it. Seared sausage = more flavor.

Get the Slow-Cooker Sausage and White Bean Soup recipe.

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10

Kale Pesto Chicken Pasta

Ready in under 30 minutes, you'll flip for this simple homemade pesto. Using part kale and basil, it's a next level sauce your pasta deserves.

Get the Kale Pesto Chicken Pasta recipe.

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11

Parmesan Crusted Kale Grilled Cheese

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There's an ENTIRE bunch of kale in this grilled cheese. Thanks to a quick braise in sweet and spicy apple cider vinegar, it reduces considerably, transforming into dark lacquered greens with just the right amount of tang. Paired with creamy Swiss cheese, this is the grownup take on your childhood fave.

Get the Parmesan Crusted Kale Grilled Cheese recipe.

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12

Spicy Turkey Sausage and Kale Chili

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This Italian-inspired stew is packed with spicy turkey sausage and leafy kale for a lighter take on chili. Go lighter on the chili powder and cayenne if you're not a huge fan of spice.

Get the Spicy Turkey Sausage and Kale Chili recipe.

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13

BBQ Braised Kale

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (27)

Far too few kale recipes use the rib stems. The good thing about braising is, with enough cook time, the low and slow simmering process will take care of any undesirable toughness, infusing homemade BBQ flavor into the stems while breaking it down into a tender bite.

Get the BBQ Braised Kale recipe.

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14

Cool Ranch Kale Chips

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (29)

Homemade kale chips are the easiest healthy snack we've ever made. We tossed ours with ranch seasoning because we're obsessed with cool ranch, but the options are truly endless.

Get the Cool Ranch Kale Chips recipe.

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15

Sausage, White Bean, & Kale Soup

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (31)

We turn to this soup when we're trying to be healthy—it's super hearty and will keep you full for hours. And honestly, you won't miss the noodles.

Get the .

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16

Pulled Pork and Kale Biscuit Sandwiches

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These pulled pork sandwiches are full of Southern charm. Using refrigerated biscuit dough means you can make these as big or as little as you want—we think they'd make great

Get the Pulled Pork and Kale Biscuit Sandwiches recipe.

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17

Quinoa Salad With Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries, and Pecans

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This recipe is the ultimate make-ahead meal. Loaded with sweet delicata squash, kale, and feta, it's a total flavor bomb we love taking for lunch or pairing with protein for dinner. Serve it hot or cold!

Get the Quinoa Salad With Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries, and Pecans recipe.

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18

Guilt-Free Kale and Artichoke Dip

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (37)

This lightened-up play on spinach and artichoke dip replaces traditional cream cheese and sour cream with Greek yogurt. Dip away, guilt-free!

Get the Guilt-Free Kale and Artichoke Dip recipe.

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19

Spaghetti with Kale Pesto and Meatballs

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Thanks to walnuts and kale, this killer riff on pesto is anything but classic. We love these cheat meatballs too—just roll sausage into balls and pan fry, and you're good to go.

Get the Spaghetti with Kale Pesto and Meatballs recipe.

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20

Cheesy Sausage and Kale Lasagna

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Lasagna doesn't have to take forever. This insanely delicious version is super quick and simple thanks to store-bought marinara and no-boil lasagna noodles.

Get the Cheesy Sausage and Kale Lasagna recipe.

30 Kale Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Leafy Green (2024)

FAQs

What is the most delicious way to eat kale? ›

  1. 01 of 10. Add It to Homemade Hummus. Jennifer Causey. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Stir It Into Soups. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Sneak It Into Pesto. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Blend It Into a Smoothie. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Bake Some Crispy Kale Chips. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Fold It Into Eggs, Quiches, and Frittatas. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Sprinkle It on Pizza. ...
  8. 08 of 10. Wilt It Down for a Steak-House-Worthy Side.
Jul 20, 2023

Is it better to eat kale raw or cooked? ›

“Though most cooking methods result in loss of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, kale is still worth eating in whichever form you prefer. The benefits outweigh the nutrient loss,” Garcia said.

Can you eat too much kale? ›

Consumption of kale in excess can lead to constipation and stomach irritation. Due to the presence of oxalates, kale can increase the risk of kidney stones. Kale contains goitrogens, substances that inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. So, its intake can increase the risk of iodine deficiency.

How do you make kale taste better? ›

“Minced garlic, olive oil, and salt are also simple ingredients that can transform the flavor of a bitter kale dish. ' “Cutting the stem of kale and marinating it with olive oil and salt can help reduce bitterness.”

Why do I feel so good after eating kale? ›

Kale is a nutritious food rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene. It also contains nutrients that can support eye health, weight management, heart health, and more. Loaded with important micronutrients and antioxidants, kale is one of the most nutritious leafy greens available.

Can I eat raw kale everyday? ›

Manganiello says you can eat kale every day, just don't overdo it. She recommends one to two servings maximum of kale per day, leaving room for other healthy foods that provide an assortment of nutrients.

How do you get rid of gas from kale? ›

How to Make Kale Easier on Your Stomach
  1. Cut kale into smaller pieces. ...
  2. Massage your kale — or otherwise change its texture. ...
  3. Cook kale instead of eating it raw. ...
  4. Eat smaller portions. ...
  5. Switch to a different type of kale. ...
  6. Take Gas-X when any issues with kale arise.

Is kale better for you than spinach? ›

Both are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Still, there are subtle nutritional differences between them. Kale provides more calcium and vitamin C per serving than spinach, whereas you will find more folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K in spinach than kale.

Is kale high in iron? ›

It is well-known that kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) is rich in vitamin C . But did you know kale is also packed with iron; about 1.5 to 1.9mg per 100g to be precise? Because of its high vitamin C content, kale facilitates iron absorption and is great source of beta-carotene and healthy mustard oils.

When should you not eat kale? ›

People who may need to avoid or limit kale intake are those who form oxalate-containing kidney stones or take the blood thinners Coumadin or warfarin. Be sure to check with your health care professional or dietitian if you have questions.

Which type of kale is healthiest? ›

Turns out purple kale is even better than the green variety because it contains anthocyanins which are responsible for the purple colour (the same nutrient that blueberries and cranberries contain), which have even more powerful antioxidant properties.

Does kale bloat your stomach? ›

Kale, broccoli, and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables and contain raffinose, a sugar that produces gas and makes you bloat. 2 However, eating them more often may help in the long run.

What takes bitterness out of cooked kale? ›

Minced garlic, olive oil, and salt are also simple ingredients that can transform the flavor of a bitter kale dish. Cutting the stem of kale and marinating it with olive oil and salt can help reduce bitterness. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours for better tenderness and less bitterness.

What goes well with kale? ›

It's delicious with spaghetti squash and sweet potato noodles too! In a grain bowl. Add it to this buddha bowl or this veggie bowl, or make your own bowl with the sautéed kale, a grain like quinoa, farro, or brown rice, and a protein like baked tofu, tempeh, lentils, or roasted chickpeas.

How long does kale last in 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.

What can I add to kale to make it less bitter? ›

Adding salt and squeezing lemon make a big difference by removing bitterness. Adding some spicy or sweet flavors may help tame the strong flavor of bitter kale.

How do you make kale easier to eat? ›

Massaging kale helps to break down its tough texture and make it more palatable. Softened kale is easier to chew and makes salads more enjoyable.

Why does massaging kale make it taste better? ›

Massaging kale for salad makes the vegetable more palatable by releasing its bitter compounds and—as a result—making the kale less bitter. This simple process breaks down the vegetable's fibrous texture, making it more tender, easier to chew, and more digestible.

How do you prepare kale for eating? ›

Instructions
  1. Submerge kale in a large bowl of water, swishing leaves to remove dirt.
  2. Rinse kale under fresh water.
  3. Dry kale on cloth towels.
  4. Chop kale into 1-inch wide strips.
  5. Discard bottom of the stems, do not remove ribs.
  6. Place chopped kale in a cloth or paper towel and in a ziploc bag.
Aug 28, 2020

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