Got a load of kale and not sure how to use it up? We often will buy a bunch with high hopes, only to have a few leaves lurking in the produce bin days later. Here’s a tip to help reduce on food waste: try freezing kale! Some vegetables become mushy or soggy after freezing, but this leafy green holds up extraordinarily well. Then you can drop the frozen leaves into soups or smoothies: no defrosting required!
Can you freeze kale?
Kale freezes very well: the flavor of the vegetable is preserved during the process. Kale also retains more of its hearty texture when frozen compared to other leafy greens like spinach. It can’t be used raw in salads, but it’s ideal for adding to cooked dishes like sautés, soups, and stews. It’s also great for smoothies. You can use chopped frozen kale right in cooked or blended dishes without thawing it.
How long does kale last in the refrigerator?
Stored in the produce drawer in the refrigerator, kale lasts about 1 week. If you’d like to preserve it beyond that point, you can freeze kale for 3 to 6 months. Kale doesn’t require blanching like other vegetables, so it makes it quick and easy to pop in the freezer.
How to freeze kale
Kale is extremely easy to freeze: you can simply pop the leaves right into the freezer. Many vegetables require blanching first, which helps to lock in their color and helps them last longer in the freezer. But this leafy green works well raw! Here’s how to freeze kale:
Tips for how to use frozen kale
Frozen kale can be used right from the freezer in cooked dishes: no need to defrost before using them! Here are a few tips:
Use frozen kale only in cooked or blended dishes, like sautes, soups, stews, and smoothies. Don’t eat it raw in salads because the texture becomes softer after freezing. The frozen chopped leaves can be added right to dishes: no defrosting is required.Use within 3 to 6 months. The flavor and texture can degrade the longer foods are frozen. For best results, use it within 3 months.
Kale recipes
This leafy green is incredibly versatile! Here are a few of our top kale recipes that work with both frozen and raw kale:
Try Best Sauteed KaleGo for a pot of Easy Kale SoupPlace it in the oven for Roasted KaleBlend it into a Best Kale Smoothie or Kale PestoBake up Baked Kale Chips
More freezing methods
All ingredients hold up differently in the freezer. Here are a few more methods to try: 5 from 1 review
Freeze fruits and vegetables like broccoli, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, green beans, eggplant, zucchini, corn, potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, or bananasLearn how to freeze dairy products, like cheese, milk, sour cream, ricotta, yogurt, butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozzarellaTry freezing rice, guacamole or hummus
