Kale Recipes

Try one of over 30 kale recipes to add more leafy greens to your meals. Delicious salads, smoothies, and more, all with a superfood in common: kale.

I didn’t eat kale until I was an adult.

I saw kale as that decorative leafy stuff that restaurants put out around the edge of the buffet to make it look prettier. But as something to eat? No thank you.

But as we started eating more real food, I realized that adding kale is actually an easy way to add more veggies to your meals, and with this list of 30+ kale recipes, you’re sure to find some new favorites too!

WHY FIND RECIPES FOR USING KALE

Why should you find recipes for using kale? Simple! It’s:

• Healthy. Kale is a nutrition powerhouse, with plenty of fiber, vitamins, and support for the immune system.
• Versatile. As you’ll see below, kale is great for so much more than just salads!
• Frugal. You can often find kale for relatively cheap at the store, and the bunches cost even less than bagged shredded kale.
• Lasts longer in the fridge than other greens. While romaine or spinach wilt quickly, kale can last for over a week in the refrigerator, and it also freezes well.

WHAT TYPE OF KALE IS BEST?

There are several varieties of kale. The most common types you’ll see in the grocery store are curly kale, Lacinato kale (aka dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale), and baby kale.

Baby kale is more like spinach in texture, with the signature kale taste. I’ve used both curly kale and Lacinato kale interchangeably in all my recipes. I’ll get whichever kind is on sale or a better price!

KALE SALAD IDEAS

Kale makes a delicious salad base, especially when you use tender massaged kale. Try one of these kale salad ideas.

• The Best Kale Salad Recipe
• Strawberry Kale Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese
• Kale Salad with Blueberries, Walnuts, and Feta
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Sweet Kale Salad (Costco Copycat)
• Roasted Veggie Salad with Kale
• Or try Crunchy Quinoa Salad served over kale
• Greek Quinoa Salad is also great with massaged kale

SMOOTHIES RECIPE USING KALE

How about a smoothie recipe using kale? We’ve got plenty of options.

• 7 Days of Green Smoothie Recipes
• Best Green Smoothies Recipe for Beginners
• Green Maca Smoothie
• 5 Day Smoothie Fast (5 smoothies recipe using kale!)
• Add kale to this Easy Pumpkin Smoothie
• Use kale instead of spinach in this Detox Smoothie with Bentonite Clay

KALE VEGETABLE RECIPES: SOUPS

One of the most common categories for kale vegetable recipes is soup! Kale makes a great addition to these:

• Garlic White Bean Soup with Kale
• Instant Pot White Bean Soup with Sausage and Kale
• Zuppa Toscana Soup
• Minestrone Italian Soup
• Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
• Pork and Potato Soup
• Classic Minestrone Soup
• Add kale to this Ham and Beans Soup

MORE KALE RECIPES

Kale is also yummy with pasta or rice, as you’ll see in many of these kale recipes!

• Giant Italian Meatballs
• Savory Pasta with Greens
• Autumn Rice Pilaf
• Easy Baked Ziti
• Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
• Easy Vegetable Risotto
• Baby kale is delicious in these Bacon Chicken Caesar Wraps
• Add kale to Slow Cooker Meatless Lasagna for a veggie boost
• Use a mixture of spinach and kale for 5-Minute Spinach Pesto

QUICK SAUTEED KALE RECIPE

When you need more greens at the table, this quick side dish is delicious!

Ingredients

• 1-2 bunches kale
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

Step 1. Remove the thick part of the stems, and chop kale into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil and let it heat.

Step 3. Add the chopped kale to the skillet. It will look like too much, but don’t worry, it will cook down quite a bit!

Step 4. Gently stir for 5-6 minutes until all the kale turns bright green and cooks down.

Step 5. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. A pinch of red pepper flakes is tasty too!

Step 6. Serve warm.

Leftover cooked kale can get limp, but you can store it in the fridge in airtight containers.

KALE RECIPES FAQS

DELICIOUS RECIPES FOR USING KALE

From kale salad ideas to kale smoothies and everything in between, you’ll definitely want to add some kale recipes to your next menu plan. Which of these great recipes for using kale will you try first?