Can You Freeze Kale?

Questioning for those who can freeze kale? This leafy inexperienced vegetable holds up extremely properly: right here’s methods to do it!

Received a load of kale and unsure methods to use it up? We regularly will purchase a bunch with excessive hopes, solely to have a couple of leaves lurking within the produce bin days later. Right here’s a tip to assist cut back on meals waste: attempt freezing kale! Some greens grow to be mushy or soggy after freezing, however this leafy inexperienced holds up terribly properly. Then you possibly can drop the frozen leaves into soups or smoothies: no defrosting required!

Are you able to freeze kale?

Kale freezes very properly: the flavour of the vegetable is preserved through the course of. Kale additionally retains extra of its hearty texture when frozen in comparison with different leafy greens like spinach. It may possibly’t be used uncooked in salads, however it’s very best for including to cooked dishes like sautés, soups, and stews. It’s additionally nice for smoothies. You should use chopped frozen kale proper in cooked or blended dishes with out thawing it.

How lengthy does kale final within the fridge?

Saved within the produce drawer within the fridge, kale lasts about 1 week. For those who’d wish to protect it past that time, you possibly can freeze kale for 3 to six months. Kale doesn’t require blanching like different greens, so it makes it fast and simple to pop within the freezer.

Find out how to freeze kale

Kale is extraordinarily straightforward to freeze: you possibly can merely pop the leaves proper into the freezer. Many greens require blanching first, which helps to lock of their coloration and helps them last more within the freezer. However this leafy inexperienced works properly uncooked! Right here’s methods to freeze kale:

1. Chop: Destem and chop the kale.
2. Flash freeze: Rinse the leaves beneath chilly water, then pat them as dry as attainable. Place the chopped kale on high of the baking sheet (stacking is okay). Flash freeze for 1 hour.
3. Place the kale in an hermetic container or freezer-safe plastic bag. If utilizing a bag, use a straw to suck any remaining air out of the bag and seal it.
4. Mark the “Use by” date. Use a everlasting marker to label with a “use by” date that’s 3 months sooner or later.
5. Freeze. Place the container or bag within the freezer and freeze for as much as 3 to six months. For greatest outcomes, use in 3 months.

Suggestions for methods to use frozen kale

Frozen kale can be utilized proper from the freezer in cooked dishes: no have to defrost earlier than utilizing them! Listed below are a couple of ideas:

• Use frozen kale solely in cooked or blended dishes, like sautes, soups, stews, and smoothies. Don’t eat it uncooked in salads as a result of the feel turns into softer after freezing.
• The frozen chopped leaves could be added proper to dishes: no defrosting is required.
• Use inside 3 to six months. The flavour and texture can degrade the longer meals are frozen. For greatest outcomes, use it inside 3 months.

Kale recipes

This leafy inexperienced is extremely versatile! Listed below are a couple of of our high kale recipes that work with each frozen and uncooked kale:

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Extra freezing strategies

All substances maintain up in a different way within the freezer. Listed below are a couple of extra strategies to attempt:

• Freeze vegatables and fruits like broccoli, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, inexperienced beans, eggplant, zucchini, corn, potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, or bananas
• Learn to freeze dairy merchandise, like cheese, milk, bitter cream, ricotta, yogurt, butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozzarella
• Strive freezing rice, guacamole or hummus