This publish could comprise affiliate links, which means I can earn a small fee from gadgets you buy (for gratis to you).
After I first began making inexperienced smoothies, kale was the veggie I wasted probably the most. I can’t rely the variety of occasions I’d say: “I’ll use that tomorrow”— and that kale didn’t stand an opportunity.
After I lastly discovered tips on how to freeze kale, it was a complete sport changer.
No extra pungent surprises and I at all times had leafy green vegetables able to go. Freezing kale is a type of easy, no-brainer kitchen hacks that saves cash, saves time, and makes wholesome consuming really feel far more doable.
Step-by-Step Information
Whether or not you’re grabbing a bag of kale from the grocery retailer, procuring on the farmer’s market, or harvesting your individual, freezing kale is without doubt one of the best methods to chop down on prep time and at all times have greens prepared for smoothies, soups, and fast meals. Right here’s tips on how to do it step-by-step:
Kale Freezing Suggestions
- Select recent, vibrant leaves: Older or yellowing kale leaves don’t freeze as effectively and may have a stronger, extra bitter taste.
- Wash totally: Filth loves to cover in curly kale, so give it rinse earlier than freezing.
- Stop freezer burn: Ensure that the spinach is totally dry and moisture free earlier than freezing, take away as a lot air as doable from the bag, and retailer it flat within the freezer for an hermetic seal.
- Flash freeze first: Unfold kale on a baking sheet for a couple of hours earlier than bagging to stop sticking.
- Blanching: Blanching kale earlier than freezing can assist protect coloration, texture, and vitamins, particularly if you happen to plan to make use of it in cooked dishes.
Does Freezing Kale Lose Its Vitamins?
Freezing kale preserves most of its vitamins, particularly if you happen to prep it correctly. A tiny quantity of water-soluble nutritional vitamins, like vitamin C, could lower barely, however total, frozen kale remains to be filled with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Methods to Use Frozen Kale
When you’ve acquired your kale stashed within the freezer, meal prep turns into quicker and approach much less aggravating. Right here’s how I take advantage of frozen kale:
Free Inexperienced Smoothie Problem
Go on a mixing journey with me and discover smoothie recipes to extend power, cut back irritation + kickstart weight reduction.
Extra Freezer Guides
If you happen to’re discovering this kale freezing information useful, you’re going to need to take a look at my different guides to avoid wasting time and cut back meals waste:
If you happen to’ve discovered tips on how to freeze kale, I’d love to listen to the way it turned out within the remark field beneath. Your suggestions helps me and all of the readers on this neighborhood. And if you happen to’re enthusiastic about extra kitchen guides (and unique content material), join my weekly recipe newsletter.
Prevents display screen from going darkish
-
Wash the kale totally to take away any filth or bugs.
-
Strip the leaves from the thick stems and tear or chop into medium items.
-
Drain effectively and pat the kale utterly dry.
-
Add the kale to freezer-safe luggage, portioning as desired.
-
Take away as a lot air as doable, seal, and lay the baggage flat within the freezer.
-
Freeze for 1–2 hours, or till strong. When prepared to make use of, take away the quantity wanted and return the remainder to the freezer.
- Select recent leaves: Use vibrant, deep-green kale. Older or yellowing leaves don’t freeze as effectively.
- Flash freeze: Unfold kale on a baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours earlier than bagging to stop clumping.
- Blanching: Blanching kale earlier than freezing can assist protect coloration and texture, particularly if you happen to plan to make use of it in cooked dishes. This step isn’t required for smoothies.
- Storage: Frozen kale retains effectively for as much as 6 months when saved hermetic.
- Methods to use: Add frozen kale straight to smoothies, or toss into soups and sautés with out thawing.
Serving: 1 cup | Energy: 7 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 1 g | Fats: 0.3 g | Saturated Fats: 0.04 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.1 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.02 g | Sodium: 11 mg | Potassium: 73 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 0.2 g | Vitamin A: 2098 IU | Vitamin C: 20 mg | Calcium: 53 mg | Iron: 0.3 mg
Frequent Questions
One of the simplest ways to protect kale will depend on how you intend to make use of it. For brief-term storage, maintain unwashed leaves dry and chilly within the fridge. For longer storage, the freezer is one of the best place to maintain your kale. freezing kale works effectively, with blanching as an non-obligatory step to assist protect coloration and texture if you happen to plan to cook dinner it later.
Frozen kale can style barely completely different than recent kale, primarily as a result of freezing softens the leaves. As soon as thawed or cooked, the feel is much less crisp and extra tender, which makes it higher suited to smoothies, soups, stews, and sautéed dishes somewhat than salads.
It’s finest to freeze kale in parts. Unfold chopped leaves on a baking sheet to freeze individually earlier than transferring to luggage. This prevents clumping and makes it straightforward to seize simply the quantity you want.
Correctly frozen kale lasts as much as 6 months. For one of the best style and nutrient retention, attempt to use it inside this timeframe, holding it saved in hermetic, freezer-safe luggage.
