Yahoo Lifestyle Can You Freeze Kale?
It's pretty easy to keep this leafy green superfood on hand.
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Kale has been lauded as a nutritional powerhouse—but its one drawback is that it doesn't always last super long in the refrigerator. That probably has you asking—can you freeze kale? And if you freeze it, does it retain all those vitamins, minerals, and fiber that makes it a bonafide superfood?
Related: Is Kale Healthy? Top Kale Benefits—Plus How to Eat More of It
Learn the secrets to preserving kale—and how to use your frozen kale in recipes.
Can You Freeze Kale?
Yes, kale does just fine in the freezer. You can expect frozen kale to do pretty well for six months in the freezer if it's been properly processed for freezing. After the six-month point, it may start to lose quality and flavor.
Related: How to Store Kale So It Stays Bright and Springy
As with anything else you store in the freezer, it's best closer to when you actually freeze it.
How to Freeze Kale Safely
Sure, you could just toss a big head of kale into the freezer (in a freezer-safe container), but that'll take up a lot more space than if you prep it ahead of time. Follow these steps to put your kale in cold storage.
Wash and prep your kale
The whole point of freezing kale is to have it ready to go when you need it. So wash (and dry) kale thoroughly, then prep it by chopping and removing any tough stems.
Consider blanching your kale
This is an optional step, but taking a few minutes to blanch your kale can help it keep that bright green hue and reduce the bitterness of the kale when you use it.
To blanch your kale, put the prepped kale in a pot of boiling water for one to two minutes, then place in a bowl filled with ice and cold water to stop them from cooking. Drain the leaves and let them dry thoroughly before you freeze them.
Package up the kale in freezer-safe packaging
As with anything else frozen, you want to protect them from getting crushed by other items in your freezer—and from frigid air, which can cause freezer burn and allow odors from other freezer items to invade your kale.
Your best bet is a zipper bag made for the freezer. Place your leaves in, and press down to remove as much air as possible as you seal your kale iinto the bag. You may want to label your bags with the amount of kale in it and when it was frozen, so you know if you have enough in there for your recipe.
Thaw if necessary
if you need to thaw your kale before you use it, place it in the refrigerator overnight, or in a bowl of cool water for a faster thaw.
Recipes That Use Frozen Kale
Kale's texture can be impacted by the freeze/thaw cycle, so frozen kale is best used in recipes like smoothies (which call for frozen kale), or recipes where the kale is cooked. (Kale salads, for instance, work best with fresh kale.)
Related: 16 Superfoods You Can Keep in the Freezer—and How to Cook With Them
Want a recipe that'll make great use of your frozen kale? Try these out:
Kale Smoothie With Pineapple and Banana
Frozen kale is perfect for in a smoothie, as it helps add to the icy coolness. Here it's paired with pineapple and banana for a healthy boost of fruits and veggies.
Butternut Squash and Chicken Pozole
Christopher Testani
Kale adds a punch of color, flavor, and nutrients to this cozy and flavorful stew.
Smoky Kale Chips
Your frozen kale may need a little extra oven time to reach the crispy texture you'll love, but these kale chips are the perfect way to use up some of your frozen kale.
Kale and Goat Cheese Frittata
Frittatas are the perfect any-time-of-day dish. In this frittata, tangy and creamy goat cheese is the perfect way to balance out kale's slightly bitter flavor profile.
Pan Roasted Steak With Creamed Kale
A touch of heavy cream, mild cannellini beans, and a touch of garlic make your frozen kale the perfect side for steak (or pretty much any protein).
Bucatini With Kale and Ricotta
This is one of those fast and easy pasta recipes that you likely have all the ingredients for already in your fridge. A bit of lemon zest, creamy ricotta, and pine nuts add creaminess, a touch of tart, and plenty of crunch to a 25-minute dinner recipe.
Kale-Apple Smoothie
Kale, celery, apples (either as juice or actual apple slices) , and banana combine for this sweet smoothie. Using frozen kale and frozen bananas will give it a more shake-like consistency.
Skillet Pizza With Kale and Mushrooms
For a gourmet kale pizza opt for more flavorful fontina cheese instead of the standard mozzarella, and pair it with earthy shiitake mushrooms.
Skillet Pizza With Kale and Mushrooms
Lemony Lentil Soup With Kale
If you're looking for a healthy and satisfying soup, this veggie-packed option (which comes together in under 30 minutes) is just what you've been looking for. Kale adds a bold punch of color to a pretty yellow lentil soup.
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