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Learn how to cut kale quickly and easily for all your recipes. from soups to salads! This step-by-step guide and video show you how to tackle this leafy green, including how to stem kale and chop kale.
Video: How to cut kale
Wondering how to stem kale or chop kale but not sure the best way? Alex and I have toyed with various methods over the years, but we’ve ended up with one that is slick and simple. We use this trick all the time, like for a kale Caesar salad or sauteed kale.
Using this method changed the game for us, and we hope it will for you too! Grab your knife and let’s get started.
How to cut kale step by step
Before we start, there are two common varieties of kale that you’ll find at the grocery store or farmer’s market: curly kale and Tuscan kale. Tuscan kale has darker green, flatter leaves. It’s also sometimes called Lacinato or dinosaur kale. Curly kale is brighter green and has curly leaves.
Step 1: Fold the leaves of the kale together and hold them with your non-cutting hand. Use a large chef’s knife to cut off the tough stem.
Step 2: Roll up the kale leaves.
Step 3: Cut the kale into slices, using a circular motion with the knife. (Make thicker slices if the kale should be chopped into rough pieces; see Step 4.) You can use thinly sliced kale ribbons for salads and soups.
Step 4: If you’re chopping the kale, rotate the slices and then chop them in the other direction to make small pieces. Repeat for all the kale leaves.
And there you have it: how to cut kale in 4 easy steps! Let us know if you try our method for how to stem kale and chop kale, and tell us how it goes in the comments below.
Tip: use a great chef knife
A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen! We’ve had our chef knives for over 10 years and they still work great. Our favorite knife is this 7″ Chef’s Knife. For safe storage, you can use a drawer knife organizer like this one. Make sure to keep your knives sharpened using a local service or home knife sharpener.
Ways to use kale
Now that you know how to cut kale, here are some of our favorite kale recipes for you to try:
- Cooked as a side: Make Sauteed Kale or Roasted Kale.
- Salad: Try Kale Salad or our favorite Kale Caesar Salad.
- Soup: Try Kale White Bean Soup or Ribollita (Tuscan Vegetable Stew).
- Snack: Whip up a batch of Kale Chips
- Pizza topping: Make a Kale Pizza.
- Lasagna: Try it in Spicy Kale Lasagna.
How to Cut Kale
Wondering how to cut kale? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you how, including how to stem kale and chop kale.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 3 to 4 cups 1x
- Category: Knife Skills
- Method: Cutting
- Cuisine: N/A
Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale or Tuscan kale
Instructions
- Fold the leaves of the kale together and hold them with your non-cutting hand. Use a large chef’s knife to cut off the tough stem.
- Roll up the kale leaves.
- Cut the kale into slices, using a circular motion with the knife. (Make thicker slices if the kale should be chopped into rough pieces; see Step 4.) You can use thinly sliced kale ribbons for salads and soups.
- If you’re chopping the kale, rotate the slices and then chop them in the other direction to make small pieces. Repeat for all the kale leaves.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Great tips on how to cut kale! I’ll definitely keep these in mind when preparing my next salad with this nutritious leafy green.