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.

Video: How to cut kale

Are you 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 finally ended up with one that is slick and simple. We use this method all the time, like when we make a kale Caesar salad or our Tuscan soup with white beans and kale. Using this method changed the game for us, and we hope it will for you too! Here’s our step by step guide for how to cut kale, including a video of me cutting kale in our kitchen.

Related: 20 Knife Skills Videos: How to Cut Everything!

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 well, curly!

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.

Best chef knife & cutting boards

Alex and I are often asked about the best kitchen tools. And every time we answer, “A good sharp chef’s knife!” A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years (we’ve had our chef knives for 10 plus years). Here are some of the knives we recommend, as well as cutting boards and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

Video: Knife Skills, Gear, & How to Hold a Knife!

• 7″ Chef’s Knife — our best knife recommendation
• 10″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite large knife
• 8″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite affordable knife
• Paring Knife
• Serrated Knife / Bread Knife
• Non-Slip Wood Cutting Board (used in the video!) or Non-Slip Bamboo Cutting Board
• Non-Slip Plastic Cutting Board
• Knife Sharpener
• Drawer Knife Organizer — this is how we store our knives, and it’s even slicker than a knife block

Looking for kale recipes?

Now that you know how to cut kale, here are some of our favorite kale recipes for you to try:

• Best Ever Sauteed Kale
• Roasted Kale
• The BEST Kale Salad
• Kale Chips
• Kale Pizza
• Ribollita (Tuscan Vegetable Stew)
• Tuscan Soup with White Beans and Kale
• Massaged Kale Salad with Apple
• Sweet Potato & Kale Soup
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Kale & Sweet Potato Stew
• Butternut Squash Lentil Soup with Kale
• Artichoke and Kale Frittata
• Spicy Kale Lasagna
• 47 Kale Recipes That Go Beyond Salad

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