Can You Freeze Kale?

Wondering if you can freeze kale? This leafy green vegetable holds up incredibly well: here’s how to do it!

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:

1. Chop: Destem and chop the kale.
2. Flash freeze: Rinse the leaves under cold water, then pat them as dry as possible. Place the chopped kale on top of the baking sheet (stacking is okay). Flash freeze for 1 hour.
3. Place the kale in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag. If using a bag, use a straw to suck any remaining air out of the bag and seal it.
4. Mark the “Use by” date. Use a permanent marker to label with a “use by” date that is 3 months in the future.
5. Freeze. Place the container or bag in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 to 6 months. For best results, use in 3 months.

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 Kale
• Go for a pot of Easy Kale Soup
• Place it in the oven for Roasted Kale
• Blend it into a Best Kale Smoothie or Kale Pesto
• Bake up Baked Kale Chips

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Best Ever Sauteed Kale

02

Easy Kale Soup

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Roasted Kale

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Best Kale Smoothie

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More freezing methods

All ingredients hold up differently in the freezer. Here are a few more methods to try:

• Freeze fruits and vegetables like broccoli, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, green beans, eggplant, zucchini, corn, potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, or bananas
• Learn how to freeze dairy products, like cheese, milk, sour cream, ricotta, yogurt, butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozzarella
• Try freezing rice, guacamole or hummus