Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (2024)

Below is our favorite Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe plus the best tips on How to Cook Kale! Everything from sautéing to oven baking can be found below!

This delicious powerhouse veggie adds great flavor to soups and casseroles it’s perfect served up as aEasy Kale Salad with Fresh Lemon Dressing and great on its own as a side dish!

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (1)

A Real Superfood

So what is Kale?Kale is a leafy green often used as a garnish or in ornamental uses however it’s also a deliciously flavorful green if prepared right! It has a rich earthy flavor and is a very popular superfood these days! You can buy kale chips, kale hummus, and even shredded kale! Kale is good for adding to dishes like salads, soups (like Zuppa Toscana), and green smoothies! It’s also great as a side dish or a Kale Salad!

Is kale good for you? You bet it is! Kale is a powerhouse of nutrition! It’s high in fiber and potassium.

To Prepare Kale for Cooking

  • Clean
    • Before cooking kale make sure the leaves are free from dirt and are dry and not mushy.
    • Rinse leaves under cold water and shake dry
  • Cut
    • Remove any tough stalks by simply pulling the curly leaves off of the stalk. Discard the stalks.
    • Cut (or tear) the kale into approximately one inch pieces.

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (2)

How to Cook Fresh Kale

Fresh kale is an easy veggie to cook and enjoy. Kale can be sauteed in a pan (like in this recipe) or baked in the oven (to make kale chips). If you want to add it to soups/stews you can simply prepare the kale as directed above and add it to the soup allowing it to simmer for at least 12 minutes.

To Cook Kale in Oven simply prepare as above and make sure you dry it very well. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz with olive oil and a touch of salt & pepper. Bake until crisp but not burnt (about 10-15 minutes). These are delicious to snack on but they’re also great as a garnish sprinkled over dishes like risotto or creamy casseroles.

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (3)

How Long to Cook Kale

The leaves are much sturdier than a spinach but don’t take quite as long to cook asCollard Greens.

I saute kale about 5 to 7 minutes so it’s wilted and soft but not mushy. Just when you think it’s done, remove it from the heat, and it will ‘carryover’ cook to perfection!

Sautéed kale is a flavorful alternative to creamed spinach or collard greens and when you make garlic kale with bacon it really adds an irresistible flavor boost to these nutrient packed greens! Season with salt and pepper or a splash of balsamic vinaigretteand enjoy! If you are wanting to keep it vegetarian just sautéed kale with garlic and olive oil is a delicious alternative to bacon kale!

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (4)

More Healthy Side Dishes

  • Garlic Butter Kale Rice– even kale haters will love this one!!
  • Cucumber Onion Salad– cool and refreshing side salad.
  • Zucchini Casserole– perfect use for your garden vegetables.
  • Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe – low carb and keto-friendly!
  • Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus– another great side dish for all the bacon lovers!
  • Crispy Kale Chips – healthy & low carb!

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (5)

5 from 61 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale)

This nutrient packed superfood is sure to impress! With bacon and garlic it smells just as good as it tastes!

Save

ReviewPrint

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (6)

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (8)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon chopped
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 bunch kale washed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook bacon until crisp over medium heat. Remove bacon and set aside reserving drippings.

  • Reduce heat to medium low and cook onion in the drippings until tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Add kale and garlic stirring until cooked, about 5 minutes.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with bacon and serve.

5 from 61 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 86 | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 131mg | Vitamin A: 1425IU | Vitamin C: 19.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (9) Course Side Dish

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (10) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

REPIN this Easy Recipe

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (11)

Categories:

Healthy Recipes, Kitchen Tips, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes, Tips and Great Ideas!

Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!

Follow us on Pinterest

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (12)

Recipes you'll love

30 Minute Dinner Rolls

Side Dishes

Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Side Dishes

Copy Cat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Casseroles

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

Easy Stuffing Recipe

Side Dishes

Cabbage and Noodles

Pasta and Pizza Recipes

About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
See more posts by Holly

Follow Holly on social media:

pinterest facebook twitter instagram

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (20)

Free eBook!

Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Latest & Greatest

Lemon Asparagus

Recipes

Roasted Asparagus

Side Dishes

Twice Baked Potatoes

Recipes

Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe

Side Dishes

Yorkshire Pudding

Irish Soda Bread

Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook and eat kale? ›

Sauté It. Cooking kale in a frying pan over medium-high to high heat with a bit of butter or oil is a quick and tasty way to serve it. Season it with salt and pepper or add garlic or sweet or chile peppers for extra flavor.

Is it better to steam or fry kale? ›

Kale is great as a side dish or in a smoothie, and you can't go wrong with steaming it. Steamed kale retains important nutrients, such as calcium, that are important for you to have. Luckily, steaming kale can be as easy as chopping it and putting it in a steamer or microwave.

What is the most nutritious way to cook kale? ›

As a result, for those who prefer cooked kale, steaming it for a short duration may be the best way to preserve its nutrient levels. Kale is a nutrient-dense food that's high in several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

How do you eat kale raw or cooked? ›

Kale has a slight bitter taste and is often eaten cooked because of its fibrous leaves. However, it makes a great raw salad with the right preparation. It is often used in stews, braises, stir-fries and roasted dishes where you want to add some green because it holds up well during the cooking process.

How do you make kale taste better? ›

“Minced garlic, olive oil, and salt are also simple ingredients that can transform the flavor of a bitter kale dish. ' “Cutting the stem of kale and marinating it with olive oil and salt can help reduce bitterness.”

How do you cook kale so it is not tough? ›

In a large saucepan bring about 2 cups of water and a large pinch of salt (⅛ to ¼ tsp.) to boiling. Add 12 ounces torn kale. Return to boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.

Can you overcook kale? ›

Additionally, overcooking kale can cause it to become mushy and lose its texture, making it less enjoyable to eat. Another reason why kale can taste bad when cooked is that it contains sulfur compounds that are released when it is cooked.

Is eating cooked kale good for you? ›

Heart disease

This can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. One cup (130 grams) of cooked kale provides 485 milligrams (mg) of potassium. A 2019 report notes a potential link between consuming fiber and lower blood lipid (fat) levels and blood pressure.

Is sauteed kale good for you? ›

So, the benefits of eating either raw or cooked kale and spinach include improving your immune system, promoting healthy vision, and supporting healthy bones and muscles. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great addition to any balanced diet.

What goes well with kale? ›

Kale is a great green veggie that mixes with many things: Cranberry, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, Bluberries, strawberries, raspberries, almonds, cashews, Spring mix lettuce. Steak, salmon, Chicken.

Do you eat kale stems? ›

Cutting the stems crossways shortens the fibres, much as with a tough steak, making them perfectly edible and preventing waste. Cut this way, the stems can be cooked in the same way as the rest of the leaf: sauteed, boiled or steamed.

Is it OK to eat kale every day? ›

Manganiello says you can eat kale every day, just don't overdo it. She recommends one to two servings maximum of kale per day, leaving room for other healthy foods that provide an assortment of nutrients.

How long does it take to boil kale? ›

To boil kale, add either whole leaves or chopped leaves to a saucepan and pour over cold water until the leaves are just covered. Bring to the boil and season, then simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the kale is nicely wilted. Drain thoroughly, and leave to air dry for a few minutes.

What is the best way to use kale? ›

Here are 10 ways to use it.
  1. As a Substitute for Spinach. Kale works nicely in recipes that call for spinach, like those for egg dishes, salads or lasagna. ...
  2. In a Dip. Cooked kale can be chopped or pureed to make a variety of dips. ...
  3. Juiced. ...
  4. Sauteed with Veggies. ...
  5. In a Salad. ...
  6. As Pesto. ...
  7. In a Soup.

Should you soak kale before eating? ›

Why You Should Soak Kale. Not only does soaking kale tenderize it, it also pulls double duty by cleaning it and improving the flavor at the same time. It produces the same results as massaging, with a fraction of the work.

Is kale better for you than spinach? ›

Both are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Still, there are subtle nutritional differences between them. Kale provides more calcium and vitamin C per serving than spinach, whereas you will find more folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K in spinach than kale.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5740

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.