These kale recipes highlight all the best ways to use this leafy green! How to eat kale? Try it in soups, pizzas, salads, chips and more.

Kale salad

Want to eat more kale but not sure where to start? Like, us, you might be on a mission to get more leafy greens into your diet. So try this list of delicious kale recipes: absolutely delicious and chock full of nutrients and fiber. These are all the best ways to eat this leafy green, from kale chips to kale salad to kale lasagna. Ready to start tasting?

And now, our best kale recipes!

Kale nutrition

Let’s talk nutrition. Leafy greens like kale are some of the healthiest foods you can eat! Kale is full of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. One cup of raw kale is only 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber), and 3 grams of protein. Because of its low calorie content, kale is among the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. Eating more of this cruciferous vegetable is a great way to increase the total nutrient content of your diet. So the big takeaway: eat more kale! Try one of the kale recipes above.

Tuscan kale and curly kale

Types of kale

There are a few main types of kale you can find at the grocery store. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Tuscan kale has dark green, flat leaves and a mellow flavor. It’s also sometimes called Lacinato or dinosaur kale. It’s common in Italian dishes like our Best Kale Salad or Tuscan Vegetable Stew (Ribollita).
  • Curly kale is brighter green and very curly! Curly kale can have a bitter and spicy flavor. If you’re eating it raw, make sure to massage it like in our Massaged Kale Pomegranate Salad, which removes the bitterness and gives it a sweeter flavor.
  • Baby kale is often included in leafy green mixes that are sold in boxes in grocery stores. You can also often find it at farmer’s markets. Baby kale has a super mild flavor and is much more tender. You won’t have to cut baby kale since it’s already in small leaves.

Video: How to cut kale

Wondering how to stem kale or chop kale but not sure the best way? Here’s one that is slick and simple. Use this when you’re testing out some of the kale recipes above!

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Sauteed kale

15 Best Kale Recipes: Easy Sauteed Kale & More!


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 8 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sauteed kale is the best way to eat this healthy leafy green! Scented with garlic and cooked in olive oil until tender, you’ll want to eat it every day.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound or 2 bunches Tuscan kale*
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • Optional: Lemon wedges, shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the kale leaves, then destem and roughly chop the kale.
  2. Smash and peel the garlic cloves.
  3. Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the smashed garlic and kale and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until wilted and bright green.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the kosher salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper. Discard the garlic cloves and serve immediately. (If desired, you can add lemon juice or Parmesan: but neither are necessary with the sweet flavor of Tuscan kale! You may want to consider them if using curly kale.)

Notes

*Tuscan kale has a milder flavor than curly kale and flatter, dark green leaves. We recommend it for this recipe: though curly kale works too! Tuscan kale is available in most standard grocery stores.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Kale Recipes, Sauteed Kale

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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6 Comments

  1. I used the older (fresh) Tuscan kale from my garden for this. It was good, but better with the lemon – it really brightens it up.

  2. This is an easy way to add kale into one’s diet. I used curly kale without the optional ingredients, It is still tasty even for those who don’t typically care for this healthy vegetable! I often add a little water and cover the pan with a lid which softens the leaves a bit. (I didn’t see a way to indicate stars….but it’s a 5 star recipe!)

    1. Zana I did too. My solution worked, but I also want to cook with fiber enriched foods.

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      Hope that helps as it has for me.

  3. Wow, these all look delicious! I love how versatile kale is. My husband loves kale chips and that kale and pistachio pizza looks divine! I never would have thought to put kale with pistachios. Thanks for putting this list together!! So nice to have some fun new kale recipes to try!!!