22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (2024)

Kale is packed with vitamin K, high in vitamins A and C, and rich in fiber, too. So whether you enjoy this leafy green in a kale salad, a kale smoothie, kale soup, or one of our many other kale recipes, you'll score great taste and a windfall of nutrients in one fabulous dish.

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Chicken, Chickpea, and Kale Buddha Bowls

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (1)

All kinds of colorful ingredients, including roasted squash, green beans, chicken, and crunchy chickpeas, morph this kale salad into an immensely satisfying meal in a bowl.

  • Best-ever meals in a bowl that are NOT soup.

02of 22

Peppered Kale Chips

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (2)

Looking for a snack that's as satisfying as a potato chip but with one-third the calories? Try this baked kale chips recipe. They're seasoned with a touch of cayenne and ready in a snap.

  • See more healthy snack recipes here!

03of 22

How to Make Kale Chips and How to Cook Kale

Watch as we show you the simple steps to make crispy kale chips, as well as an easy way to turn kale into a side dish.

04of 22

Kale, Chorizo, and Red Bean Brunch Casserole

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (3)

From breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, we enjoy kale recipes all day! Here, sun-dried tomatoes and spicy chorizo give the bread-based morning bake a burst of flavor, while kale and red beans add great nutrition.

05of 22

Power Kale Salad

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (4)

Serve your favorite nutrient-rich green in this main-dish kale salad recipe. Not only does it boast a smorgasbord of delicious ingredients (kale, chicken, citrus, and pear) but it also has a whopping 35 grams of protein per serving.

06of 22

Danish Green Kale Soup

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (5)

Colorful, healthy, and loaded with chunks of ham and bright green kale, this simple slow cooker kale soup recipe offers a lot to love.

  • Our top soup recipes -- at a glance.

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Garlic Pork with Sauteed Kale and Walnut Barley

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (6)

Sauteed kale is even better when a little bacon gets in on the action! Add some barley, and you've got a wholesome (and wholly delicious) side dish to a spice-rub roasted pork tenderloin.

08of 22

Crunchy Kale Salad with Creamy Tomato-Garlic Dressing

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (7)

Roasted garlic, buttermilk, and sun-dried tomatoes are the secrets to the fabulous salad dressing in this colorful kale recipe.

09of 22

Roasted Kale and Red Onions

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (8)

Sure, sauteed kale is great, but try roasted kale, too! It makes a deeply flavored, beautifully colored side dish, especially when studded with balsamic-glazed onions.

10of 22

Winter Slaw with Kale and Cabbage

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (9)

Many salad recipes with kale call for rubbing the leafy green with your hands. This helps soften the kale leaves while brightening their color. That's the case in this trendy (and tasty) coleslaw update.

11of 22

Warm Eggplant and Kale Panzanella Salad

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (10)

A kale salad from your slow cooker? You bet! Both kale and eggplant benefit from the hassle-free heat. After simmering with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and onion, the vegetables are tossed with bread cubes and shredded Parmesan for a new twist on classic panzanella.

12of 22

Sausage and Kale Soup with White Beans

Watch as chef Scott Peaco*ck shows you how to prepare a kale and white bean soup with sausage. It's one of the most sought-after kale recipes ever.

  • Sausage and Kale Soup with White Beans recipe

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One-Pot Ham and Kale Pasta

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (11)

Turn sauteed kale into a main dish with ham, orechiette pasta, and Asiago cheese. Garlic and blackened seasoning flavor-charge the easy kale recipe.

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Holiday Kale Salad

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (12)

Brighten your table for the holidays (or any day) with a crisp and colorful kale salad. Fennel, walnuts, cranberries, and wild rice make great go-alongs, and a lemon-Dijon dressing adds spark.

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Sweet Beets and Greens Smoothies

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (13)

How about a kale smoothie in an unexpected color? Lush berries, beets, and pomegranate juice add all-natural sweetness and a deep purple hue to this vitamin A- and C-packed recipe.

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Trendspotting with BHG: Kale

What's so great about kale? One of our food editors shares her insights.

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Market Stand Pasta Salad with Garlic and Shallot Dressing

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (14)

Head to your local grocery store produce section for the fresh market vegetables in this pasta salad. Baby kale, tomatoes, and noodles accompany your veggie finds in our easy kale recipe.

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Creamed Kale

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (15)

Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses are the secrets to the creaminess of this easy kale recipe. Keep the rich-tasting recipe on hand to add a little opulence to any meal.

  • How to cook kale—the basics.

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Wild Mushroom and Kale Ravioli Skillet Lasagna

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (16)

Looking for kale recipes that are fast and healthful, too? This one's got you covered! It starts with refrigerated wild-mushroom ravioli to keep it quick and calls on low-fat cheese to keep it on the light side.

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Macaroni Alfredo with Pumpkin and Kale

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (17)

Indulge your macaroni and cheese craving and skip the calorie overload with our quick pumpkin-and-kale pasta pleaser. This rich, creamy, and easy kale recipe results in a can't-miss comfort food.

  • See more ideas for macaroni and cheese.

21of 22

Mediterranean Kale and Cannellini Stew with Farro

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (18)

Here's another entry for your list of great soup recipes with kale! Easy, healthy, and layered with irresistible ingredients, the veggie-packed dish is perfect for pairing with a thick slice of crusty bread.

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Vegetable-Loaded Pasta Bake

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22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (19)

Sauteed kale stars alongside cauliflower, carrots, and corn in our top-rated vegetarian casserole. It's a crowd-pleaser that works for meatless Monday or any other day of the week.

22 Delicious Kale Recipes Our Editors Recommend (2024)

FAQs

What is the most delicious way to eat kale? ›

  1. 01 of 10. Add It to Homemade Hummus. Jennifer Causey. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Stir It Into Soups. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Sneak It Into Pesto. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Blend It Into a Smoothie. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Bake Some Crispy Kale Chips. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Fold It Into Eggs, Quiches, and Frittatas. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Sprinkle It on Pizza. ...
  8. 08 of 10. Wilt It Down for a Steak-House-Worthy Side.
Jul 20, 2023

What can I do with too much fresh kale? ›

Freezing kale is another easy way to preserve your extra kale leaves. I like to freeze my kale in 1/2 cup portions that can be quickly and easily added to soups, stews, quiches, and so much more.

What to do with a bag of chopped kale? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Toss it with Pasta. Kale and pasta go together beautifully. ...
  2. Serve it in a Salad. Chop it up and toss it in with other salad veggies. ...
  3. Add Kale to Scrambled Eggs. I don't have a photo of this, but I've made it for my lunch a few times. ...
  4. Make Kale Chips. ...
  5. Easy Kale Skillet Side Dish.
Apr 17, 2014

What goes well with kale? ›

It's delicious with spaghetti squash and sweet potato noodles too! In a grain bowl. Add it to this buddha bowl or this veggie bowl, or make your own bowl with the sautéed kale, a grain like quinoa, farro, or brown rice, and a protein like baked tofu, tempeh, lentils, or roasted chickpeas.

What makes kale taste better? ›

Kale works best with other robust flavours such as lemon, chilli, garlic, olive oil, cheese, tomato, fresh mint and basil, or as a contrast to sweet potato or carrot. In Italy, where it's commonly grown in backyards, cavolo nero is added to a hearty cannellini bean and vegetable soup called ribollita.

What to avoid with kale? ›

These vegetables offer health benefits, including supporting the immune system, regulating blood pressure and potentially reducing the risk of various types of cancer. People who may need to avoid or limit kale intake are those who form oxalate-containing kidney stones or take the blood thinners Coumadin or warfarin.

What are the downsides of eating too much kale? ›

Consumption of kale in excess can lead to constipation and stomach irritation. Due to the presence of oxalates, kale can increase the risk of kidney stones. Kale contains goitrogens, substances that inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. So, its intake can increase the risk of iodine deficiency.

Why can't you reheat kale? ›

Spinach and other leafy vegetables can contain high concentrations of nitrate, depending on where the vegetable is grown. Nitrate itself is totally harmless, but it can be converted to nitrites and then to nitrosamines, some of which are known to be carcinogenic.

Can I freeze fresh kale? ›

Kale can be frozen without blanching but should be used within 4 weeks. Blanching greens before freezing stops the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves. This will ensure that the leaves taste fresh and will not develop a bitter taste. Blanched kale will last up to 1 year in the freezer.

How long does kale last in the fridge? ›

Typical shelf life: Generally, kale can last in the fridge for about five to seven days. The key is to store it correctly to maintain its crispness and nutrients. Impact of temperature and humidity: Kale prefers a cool and slightly humid environment, so the crisper drawer in your fridge is ideal.

Can you eat kale straight from the bag? ›

It's often eaten raw in salads and smoothies but can also be enjoyed steamed, sautéed, boiled, or baked. Along with broccoli and Brussels sprouts, kale is a cruciferous vegetable that offers an array of potential health benefits.

How do you eat kale tasty? ›

Sauté It. Cooking kale in a frying pan over medium-high to high heat with a bit of butter or oil is a quick and tasty way to serve it. Season it with salt and pepper or add garlic or sweet or chile peppers for extra flavor.

How is kale best eaten? ›

Kale has a slight bitter taste and is often eaten cooked because of its fibrous leaves. However, it makes a great raw salad with the right preparation. It is often used in stews, braises, stir-fries and roasted dishes where you want to add some green because it holds up well during the cooking process.

What meat pairs well with kale? ›

Kale goes well with a variety of ingredients, both sweet and savoury. Some popular options include: Meat: Kale pairs well with meats such as bacon, chicken, sausage, and pork.

Is it better to eat kale cooked or raw? ›

Raw kale can be hard to digest. Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Nutrition experts say steaming kale is a good way to make it easier to digest while preserving most of the nutrients.

What is the best flavor of kale? ›

Russian Kale Is the Best Type of Kale to Cook

The frilly leaves tend to be softer and a bit sweet than other varieties. While red Russian kale tends to branch out, I prefer the leaves when they're smaller, before they develop a slight peppery taste with maturity—a good reason to harvest sooner rather than later.

Is kale supposed to be bitter or Sweet? ›

Bitter greens are leafy greens or vegetables that have an intense bitter flavor profile. They include kale, mustard greens, collards, turnip greens, broccoli rabe, radicchio, chicory, and endive. The bitterness comes from chemical compounds called glucosinolates that can be found in the Brassica family.

What covers the taste of kale? ›

But if you think the taste is not at all appetizing, you can simply make a nice salad dressing that will cover up the bland taste of kale. To keep it simple, some lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper should make a good seasoning to raw kale.

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