How to Make Kale Taste Good (Guide + Recipes)

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Using a knife to chop kale for our tutorial on How to Make Kale Taste Good

Kale might not be on your favorite vegetables list yet. But we believe we can change that (bold, we know). There are so many ways to spruce up this nutrient-packed veggie and leave you craving more!

Techniques

We use a variety of techniques to make kale taste good. They involve balancing the bitterness with other flavors and modifying the tough and fibrous texture to make it easier to eat.

  • Massaging Kale – massaging kale with a little oil and/or lemon juice for just a few minutes makes it more tender and easier to chew. Plus, it adds an extra boost of flavor.
  • Sautéing – this is one of our favorite ways to enjoy kale as the cooking makes it easier to chew and provides a more subtle flavor that makes sautéed kale very versatile. It also shrinks it down a bit so it’s easier to eat more!
  • Making into Chips – this is the best way to use up a lot of kale because it shrinks down while cooking. It also yields a crisp texture that many parents report can turn kids into kale lovers, too!
  • Adding to Curries / Soups – kale can be added near the end of the cooking process for a boost of color and nutrients. Fresh and frozen both work well here.
  • Simple Salads + Dressing Ideas – unlike most other greens, kale holds up extremely well in salads and can be enjoyed even 1-2 days after adding the dressing. Kale goes well with a variety of dressings, including our Tahini Dressing, Caesar Dressing, and Green Curry Dressing!
Sautéing kale in a cast iron skillet

Kale Recipes

Glasses of our delicious vegan green smoothie made with ginger, lemon, peach, mango, and kale

Smoothies

Using salad tongs to pick up a big serving of Massaged Kale Salad

Salads

Marble cutting board with a bowl full of Crispy Baked Kale Chips coated with Sunflower Seed Cheeze

Chips

Plate of roasted sweet potatoes and sautéed kale with lemon and tahini sauce

More Fun Ideas!


If you try any of these recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see what you came up with. Cheers, friends!

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  1. Loraine says

    Thank-you for the recipe suggestions.
    you probably won’t like my recipe as I love this with gammon !! But, here goes – it’s delicious.
    STrip the kale of all the tough stems, using the fronds.
    Melt coconut oil, fry red onion add an abundance of garlic (we love it) fry briskly add the prepared kale tossing it with the onion and garlic – gradually add two small cups of water, cook till absorbed. Add a liberal amount of black pepper sprinkle with Balsamic vinegar. Enjoy on its own. Or even better when mushrooms lightly fried with nutty butter are mingled in.
    WE Hope you enjoy this too, anytime – lovely supper too.