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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 recipes

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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Kale Caesar Salad

20 Tasty Kale Recipes


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

There’s nothing better than a great kale Caesar salad! This one is tossed with creamy dressing and showered in crunchy breadcrumbs.


Ingredients

Scale

For the salad

  • 2 bunches Tuscan kale
  • ¼ cup Italian panko (gluten-free as necessary)*
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shavings

For the Caesar dressing (makes 1 cup; use ½ cup), or substitute vegan Caesar

  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced or grated
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce (or omit)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle the kale with a very small drizzle of olive oil. Massage the leaves with your fingers for 2 to 3 minutes until the pieces are tender and softened.
  2. Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl. Store leftovers refrigerated in a covered jar for up to 1 week.
  3. Drizzle the kale with about ½ cup of the dressing and mix to combine. Add the Parmesan cheese shavings. Place the kale on a large platter or small serving plates. Sprinkle with panko and serve.

Notes

*Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb mixture that is airier and lighter than traditional breadcrumbs. “Italian” means herbs and salt are added. You should be able to find Italian panko or plain panko easily at your local grocery store (often they also sell gluten-free). If all you have is plain panko, you can season it: mix ½ cup panko with ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano and ¼ teaspoon each dried basil and thyme).

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Kale Recipes

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.

      My solution: water over a gallon a day is a must, and I put potassium in my diet daily organic Pomegranate and Mulberry/black berry are the best sources. This has been a relief, but not 100% it was notable difference for my trigger fingers. A miracle I found was (prayer) and Cramp Defense Mg (make your purchase directly with a discount from the company in GA). You can take up to 6 capsules a day. The increase of water and Red Tea Rooibos has been amazing.

      Also stretch by standing on your toes and I have been doing 25-45 squats at a time so try and get up to 100 a day; great cardio too.

      I struggled with leg cramps severely when I ran track in school and this just started again in the last 8 years due to being on my feet a lot and sitting too much. I learned about Cramp Defense when I was hooked up to an IV getting Mg intravenously and Dr. Oz had this show on as they had the TV to his show, and I thought why not, verses the nurses missing my very large vein…I was out of there.

      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!!!