Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook kale to eat? ›

How to cook kale. Kale is most commonly boiled or steamed. For whole leaves, rinse, then put them in a pan without shaking the water off, cover, then cook for up to 2 minutes, until wilted. Drain thoroughly.

Use a spoon to toss the greens in the oil and stock, then cover and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, until it is soft and wilted, but still quite green. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has evaporated, another 1 to 2 minutes.

With this in mind, nutrition experts say that most people should focus on adding more vegetables, like kale, to their diet instead of worrying if raw or cooked kale is better. “Though most cooking methods result in loss of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, kale is still worth eating in whichever form you prefer.

If desired, season the sautéed kale with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. For more flavor, try sautéing kale in this hearty lentil skillet or with some prosciutto and sweet potatoes.

Soaking kale in warm water can also work to tenderize it. The dip into the water will also serve to clean it in preparation for a favorite kale recipe. This technique will help to improve the flavor after you have chopped it on your board with a sharp kitchen knife.

Once the water reaches a full boil, fully submerge the rinsed kale. Cover with a lid and allow the water to come back to a boil. Then reduce the heat slightly and allow the kale to boil for five minutes. After five minutes, use a fork to retrieve a piece of kale and test it for tenderness.

Massage the kale: Use your clean hands to massage the kale with olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Turn the small pieces frequently to make sure they soften evenly. Add to your favorite dishes: Once tenderized, your kale is ready to eat! Add your massaged raw kale to a salad or one of your other favorite recipes.

Kale is a healthy leafy green vegetable that can be used in salads and other recipes. If you want to use kale, it's important that you wash it first. To wash kale, you will need to remove the stems and submerge it in water. Then, rinse kale under tap water to remove any lingering dirt and debris.

You might not want to toss kale stems right into your salad bowl, but that doesn't mean they don't belong. Add more heft to your lunch by slicing the stems thinly—or even shaving them on a mandoline. Toss them in after massaging the greens for a crisp, fresh crunch.

Should kale be soaked before cooking? ›

Not only does soaking kale tenderize it, it also pulls double duty by cleaning it and improving the flavor at the same time.

Massage Your Kale Leaves

Give those leaves a massage with your hands. Kale will benefit from some gentle kneading to soften its texture. A bit of oil can help to break down the fibrous membranes as well.