Steaming Kale: Using Your Rice Cooker For Healthy Greens

Steaming kale is a great way to prepare the leafy green, introducing moisture into the fibrous veggie and transforming it into a tender delight. It's also a simple process that can be done in a rice cooker. Here's how to do it.

How to steam kale in a rice cooker without a steamer basket

Steaming kale is a great way to prepare this leafy green, as it helps to retain its vibrant colour and maximise its nutritional value. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam kale in a rice cooker without a steamer basket:

Step 1: Prepare the kale

Start by washing a bunch of kale under running water to remove any dirt. You can also use a salad spinner to wash the kale. Remove the thick ribs and stems, and chop the leaves into small pieces. Some people prefer to remove the kale ribs and stalks, so feel free to cut and discard them if they are particularly large and bothersome.

Step 2: Prepare the rice cooker

Fill the rice cooker with about an inch of water and place it inside the cooker. Place a metal mesh strainer or colander on top of the rice cooker, ensuring that it rests securely. Make sure the kale doesn't touch the water.

Step 3: Steam the kale

Place the chopped kale into the strainer or colander. Cover the rice cooker with its lid and turn it on. Allow the kale to steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is tender and wilted. Keep an eye on the kale to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Step 4: Season and serve

Once the kale is steamed to your desired tenderness, remove it from the heat and season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or your favourite spices. Serve the steamed kale as a side dish or add it to pasta dishes, salads, or bowls. Enjoy!

Alternative methods

If you don't have a rice cooker, you can also steam kale using the pot and colander method, the sauté and steam method, the oven method, or the microwave method. Each method will give your kale a slightly different texture and flavour, so feel free to experiment to find your preferred way of steaming kale.

How to steam kale in a rice cooker with a steamer basket

Step 1: Prepare the kale

Start by washing your kale under the tap to remove any dirt. You can also use a salad spinner for this step. Next, trim the kale, removing the thick ribs and stems. You can either cut them with a knife or pull them off with your hands. Finally, chop the leaves into small pieces.

Step 2: Prepare the rice cooker

Fill the rice cooker with the recommended amount of water, usually 2 to 3 cups. Place the steamer basket inside the rice cooker, ensuring it is positioned over the water.

Step 3: Steam the kale

Place the chopped kale inside the steamer basket. If you like, you can also add some minced garlic to the kale for extra flavor. Cover the rice cooker with the lid. If your rice cooker has a steamer setting, turn it on now. Otherwise, turn on the rice cooker and let it heat up.

Step 4: Serve

Steam the kale until it is tender and slightly wilted, which should take around 5 to 10 minutes. Be sure to toss the kale halfway through so that it cooks evenly. Once it is done to your liking, remove the steamer basket from the rice cooker and serve the kale. You can season it with salt, pepper, or a drizzle of lemon juice, or add it to another dish. Enjoy!

How to steam kale in a rice cooker alongside rice

Steaming kale is a great way to prepare the leafy green, introducing moisture into the fibrous veggie and transforming it into a tender delight. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam kale in a rice cooker alongside rice:

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Wash a bunch of kale and dry the leaves to remove any dirt. You can remove the ribs and stalks if they are large and bothersome. Finely chop the kale leaves. You will also need 2-3 cups of water, butter or oil, salt, and any other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic or onion.

Step 2: Rinse the rice

Rinse the desired amount of rice in a fine-mesh strainer or bowl until the water runs clear. This will remove any excess starch and improve the texture of the cooked rice.

Step 3: Assemble the rice cooker

Add the recommended amount of water to your rice cooker, usually 2-3 cups. If your rice cooker has a steamer basket, fill it with the chopped kale and place it inside the cooker. If it doesn't have a steamer basket, you can place the kale directly into the cooking pot with the water.

Step 4: Cook the rice and kale

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has a steamer function or a "keep warm" mode, use that setting. Otherwise, simply let it boil until the rice has absorbed all the water. The cooking time will depend on the type of rice you are using. For example, white rice may take around 15-20 minutes, while brown rice may take twice as long.

Step 5: Stir in the kale

Once the rice is cooked, open the lid and add the chopped kale to the pot. Use a spoon or fork to gently stir the kale into the rice. Close the lid and let the kale steam for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Season and serve

Finally, open the lid and season the rice and kale with butter or oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings. Give it a final stir, and your flavorful kale rice is ready to be served!

How long to steam kale in a rice cooker

Steaming kale in a rice cooker is a great way to prepare this leafy green. This cooking method introduces moisture into the fibrous veggie, transforming it into a tender delight. It is also a good way to retain important nutrients such as calcium.

How to steam kale in a rice cooker

First, wash your kale and remove the ribs and stalks. You can then finely chop the leaves, or use pre-chopped and bagged kale to save time. Next, add the recommended amount of water to your rice cooker – usually 2 or 3 cups. Place the kale in the steamer basket and position it over the water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can place a small trivet or a bowl/plate inside the cooker, or use foil to create a platform for your kale. Cover the rice cooker with its lid.

If your rice cooker has a one-button function, simply push the button and let the cooker do its work. If your cooker is processor-controlled, select the steam option and set the time according to your preference and the instructions in the manual. The timer will start when the water comes to a boil, so the actual cooking time will be longer than the time you set. However, after a couple of attempts, you will know roughly how long to expect the process to take.

The time it takes to steam your kale will depend on your preferred level of doneness. Steam the kale until it reaches your desired texture. You can also steam kale over rice as it cooks, but this works best with a small batch of rice. You can also add the kale when the rice is partly cooked.

Your kale will be ready when it is tender and wilted. This usually takes around 5-10 minutes of steaming. If you are steaming in the microwave, cook for 1 minute per cup of kale.

How to prepare kale for steaming

Preparing kale for steaming is a simple process. First, wash the kale under running water to remove any dirt. You can also use a salad spinner to wash the kale. Next, decide whether you want to remove the ribs and stalks of the kale. If they are large and tough, it is best to cut them off. However, if you are using an Instant Pot, you can leave them on as they will become soft during the cooking process.

Now, it's time to chop the kale. You can either shred it finely or cut it into larger pieces, depending on your preference. If you plan to steam the kale in a rice cooker, you can place the chopped kale directly into the steamer basket. Most rice cookers come with a small steamer basket that fits perfectly inside the cooking pot. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can place the kale in a small bowl or plate inside the rice cooker.

If you are steaming the kale on a stovetop, fill the bottom of a steamer with 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Place the shredded kale into the steamer basket and cover with a lid. Steam the kale for 5 to 10 minutes, tossing it occasionally, until it is wilted and tender.

Once the kale is steamed to your desired level of doneness, it is ready to be served! You can season it with salt, pepper, or a drizzle of lemon juice, or add it to your favourite dish.

Frequently asked questions