Steaming Kale: How Long For Perfect Results?

Steaming kale is a quick and easy way to cook this leafy superfood, and it can be done in a steamer or a microwave. To steam kale in a steamer, fill the steamer with 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Shred your kale, removing the ribs and stalks if desired, and place it in a steamer basket with some minced garlic. Place the basket over the water, cover with a lid, and steam for 5-10 minutes, tossing halfway through. To steam kale in the microwave, place a shredded bunch of kale and a teaspoon of water in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel, and microwave on high for 2 minutes per 2 cups of kale.

How long to steam cook kale?

How to steam kale in a microwave

Steaming kale is a great way to add some extra greens to your diet. It's quick and easy, and can be done in a microwave with very little preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Kale

Start by washing a bunch of kale and removing any tough ribs and stalks. You can do this by laying the leaf flat on a cutting board and cutting along the sides of the stem to remove the leaves. Then, shred or finely chop the kale. Chewing small pieces of kale is much easier than eating an entire steamed leaf!

Step 2: Assemble the Ingredients

Place the shredded kale in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a teaspoon or a few tablespoons of water to the bowl—just enough to help the kale steam. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Step 3: Cover and Microwave

Cover the bowl with a paper towel or microwave-safe plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, remember to poke a hole in the top to let the steam escape. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for at least 2 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the amount of kale and the power of your microwave, but you're aiming for wilted kale. For every 2 cups of kale, cook for approximately 2 minutes.

Step 4: Drain and Serve

Once the kale is steamed to your liking, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave—it will be hot! Pour the kale into a strainer to remove any excess water. Then, serve the kale on a plate or in a bowl. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice or your favorite seasonings to taste.

And that's it! You now have a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish to enjoy. Steamed kale is a simple way to incorporate more greens into your diet, and it's ready in just a few minutes. Enjoy!

How to steam kale without a steamer

Steaming kale is a great way to add some extra greens to your diet. It's also super easy to do, even if you don't have a steamer! Here's how to steam kale without a steamer:

What You'll Need:

• A bunch of kale
• Water
• A pot with a lid
• A heatproof bowl or plate
• A knife
• Tongs
• Optional: garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, or your favourite seasoning/flavoured oil

Instructions:

First, wash your kale under the tap to remove any dirt. You can remove the stalks if they're large and tough, but don't throw them away! They're packed with nutrients, so you can slice them up and add them to a salad, juice, or smoothie.

Next, cut the kale into small pieces. You can shred it finely, or cut it into 1/4- to 1-inch pieces.

Now, fill your pot with around 1/2 inch of water and place it on the stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a simmer.

Place a heatproof bowl or plate inside the pot, making sure it's not too tall and that the water doesn't boil over the rim. The bowl/plate should be raised above the water line, either by having feet/a ring base, or by using a metal colander with handles that extend over the edge of the pot.

Put the kale into the bowl/plate/colander, cover the pot with a lid, and steam for 5-10 minutes, or until the kale is tender and slightly wilted. Keep an eye on it, and add more water if needed.

When the kale is done to your liking, remove the lid carefully, opening it away from you to avoid scalding. Take the kale out of the pot with tongs and serve.

Seasoning:

You can season your steamed kale simply with salt and pepper, or add some garlic to the pot while it's steaming for extra flavour. You could also try sprinkling on your favourite seasoning salt or drizzling a flavoured oil over the kale before serving. Enjoy!

How to assemble the dish after steaming

Now that you've steamed your kale to perfection, it's time to assemble the dish. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and soy sauce is a bright and tasty way to enhance the flavour of your steamed kale. You can also add some salt and ground black pepper to taste. Whisk these ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.

Step 2: Toss the Kale in the Dressing

Take your steamed kale and gently toss it in the dressing until all the leaves are well coated. The dressing will add a tangy and savoury dimension to the kale, complementing its natural bitterness.

Step 3: Season to Taste

After tossing the kale in the dressing, it's important to taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt and pepper, an extra squeeze of lemon, or even some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Remember, it's easier to add more seasoning than to take it away, so start with a small amount and increase gradually.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Your steamed kale is now ready to be served! It makes a great side dish and pairs well with proteins like baked beans, cornbread, or sausage. You can also add it to pasta dishes, hearty grain bowls, or simply enjoy it on its own. Steamed kale is a nutritious and delicious way to incorporate more greens into your diet.

Variations and Tips:

• For a heartier dish, you can sauté the steamed kale with some olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. This will give it a toasted flavour and crispier texture.
• If you're using an Instant Pot, you can cook the kale with some stems, as the pressure cooking will make them soft and edible.
• Steamed kale is a versatile base for many dishes. Try adding toppings like toasted nuts, dried cranberries, balsamic vinegar, or even bacon bits.

How to select and store kale

When selecting kale, look for leaves that are a vibrant dark green, with no signs of yellowing, browning, tiny holes, or black spots. The smaller the leaves, the more tender the texture and the milder the flavour. Whole bunches of kale are preferable to pre-chopped bagged kale.

Kale should be stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge. If storing a bunch of kale, wrap it in a damp kitchen towel or paper towel and put it into a Tupperware container, or wrap it in plastic wrap. This will keep for five to seven days. If you're storing bagged kale, roll the bag tightly down to remove as much air as possible, then hold it with a chip clip. Alternatively, wrap the kale in damp paper towels and place it in a storage container, bag, or wrap it in plastic wrap. This will last three to five days, and once opened, about two days.

How to cook kale in an Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 cup diced sweet yellow onion (about 1/2 an onion)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
• 8 ounces (or 8 cups) of chopped kale
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth
• 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 medium lemon (for juice and zest)
• 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)

Method

• Select "sauté" on the Instant Pot. Drizzle in the oil. Once the oil is hot (the Instant Pot should say "hot" or the oil will be shimmering), add the diced onion and salt. Cook until softened and turning golden, stirring occasionally, for about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until aromatic. If needed, deglaze the pot with a splash of vegetable broth to remove any stuck-on bits.
• Add the chopped kale, all of the vegetable broth, and black pepper. Close the Instant Pot and turn the vent to "sealing".
• Choose your desired texture: for kale that still has a bit of a "bite" to it, cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. For very tender stewed kale, cook on high pressure for 9 minutes.
• Carefully do a quick pressure release. The kale will be vivid green with a slight bite, or deep green and tender, depending on your chosen cooking time.
• Before serving, toss the kale with the lemon juice and zest, and the optional red pepper flakes. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Tips

• This recipe uses one bunch of kale or 8 cups of chopped kale. One cup of kale usually yields about 1 ounce of kale. One bunch of kale generally yields 7 to 8 ounces of kale, including the stems. If using a bunch of kale, the stems can be omitted or included.
• Leftovers are best within 3 to 4 days. Let cool to room temperature before placing in a closed container and refrigerating.

Frequently asked questions