• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nourish Nutrition Blog logo

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • Recipe Index
  • Healthy Life Tips
  • Nutrition Services
    • One on One Nutrition Therapy
    • Recipe Development/Food Photography Services
    • Nutrition Expert Services
  • Photo/Video Services
    • Food Photography Portfolio
    • Recipe Video Portfolio
    • Food Photography Resources
    • Utah Portrait Photographer
  • Free Single Serving Cookbook

March 9, 2020 Updated September 16, 2020 By Rebecca Fall Recipes

Warm Kale Salad

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
warm kale salad in a cast iron skillet
sauteed kale salad on plate with text overlay

This simple and easy warm kale salad is a great way to use up hearty greens after they’ve started to go bad. It just takes 10 minutes to turn wilting greens into a flavorful warm salad.

warm kale salad in a bowl with kale, cheese and onions on table

[This recipe was originally posted in March 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.

How will this warm kale salad make your life easier?

If you hate wasting produce just as much as I do, this is the perfect recipe for you. This warm kale salad can be made with wilting kale and other greens by heating it up with butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Plus you can add an easy protein to it to make it a full meal, like this Breaded Pan Fried Pork Chop.

If you like the idea of warm veggies in the winter, these other warm veggie dishes will hit the spot: Warm Kale Salad with Pomegranate Dressing, Roasted Winter Vegetables, Instant Pot Beets, and Au Gratin Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts.

What makes this kale salad so good?

  • Butter
  • Red onion
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Lemon juice
  • Parmesan cheese

How do I make this warm kale salad?

greens on plate close up

Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. While skillet is heating, chop up kale, and thinly slice 1/2 red onion.

Expert Tip: Use whatever kind of hearty greens you have on hand like kale, collared greens, cabbages, and even spinach.

sliced red onions and butter cooking in a cast iron skillet

Melt 2 Tbsp butter in pan. Then add 1/2 whole red onion (sliced). Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sautee for 3-4 minutes, or until onion is slightly translucent.

sauteed kale salad in cast iron skillet with spatula

After onion is slightly translucent and softened, add 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp lemon juice, and about 4 cups of chopped kale. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring kale occasionally. Remove from heat once kale is softened, and a bright green color.

Expert Tip: It may seem like a lot of kale, but 4 cups raw kale = ~2.5 cups cooked kale. Plus, it’s great as leftovers, so make extra!

Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and enjoy.

Serve with a pan fried pork chop, tofu, scrambled eggs, or salami + your favorite grain for a full meal.

Expert Tips

  • It may seem like a lot of kale, but 4 cups raw kale = ~2.5 cups cooked kale. Plus, it’s great as leftovers, so make extra!
  • Use whatever kind of hearty greens you have on hand like kale, collared greens, cabbages, and even spinach.
sauteed kale salad with cast iron skillet and bread in the background

FAQ

What kale is best for salads?

All types of kale are great in salads. Just massage some salt into kale if you’re eating it raw. Read about how to massage kale in the section, ‘how do you make kale less bitter’ below.

Can you heat kale?

Heating kale is a great way to make it less bitter. Adding an acidic dressing, or massaging it with salt also helps make it less bitter. Sauteed kale is really delicious and you can also quickly roast it to make crunchy kale chips.

How do you make kale less bitter?

Like I said above, heating kale, massaging it with salt, or adding an acidic dressing all help cut down on the bitterness of kale.

Here’s how you massage kale: This softens the leaves too. Remove kale ribs with your hand by holding the kale stalk at the bottom with both hands, then push one hand up toward the top of the leaf, pushing the leaves off the stalk. After you’ve removed the leaves, grab kale and rub together with your two hands for a minute +. Stop when kale is softened. This will soften the leaves and make them easier to eat. You can sprinkle kale with a pinch of salt to soften it more quickly. I recommend massaging kale whenever you plan to eat it raw.

How can I repurpose this warm kale salad?

  • Add some ham or meat and eat in a tortilla or pita.
  • Serve pork chops over it

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

  • (kale, red onion) Kale Apple & Pecan Salad, Warm Kale Salad with Pomegranate Dressing, Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches, Sausage & Egg Casserole, Apple Omelet w/Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Warm Harvest Bowl, & this Hearty Bean & Bacon Soup.
  • (lemon) Lemon Pasta Carbonara, Sparkling Berry Lemonade, Passion Tea Lemonade, Parchment Paper Salmon Packet, Easy Sausage Tortellini, Shaved Zucchini Salad with Corn, Peach Crumble for One, and this Grilled Lamb Steak with Asparagus.

Did you make this warm kale salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

warm kale salad in a white bowl with ingredients surrounding it
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Simple Sauteed Greens

This simple and easy warm kale salad is a great way to use up hearty greens after they've started to go bad. It just takes 10 minutes to turn wilting greens into a flavorful warm salad.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Author Rebecca

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Medium Skillet
  • rubber spatula
  • Microplaner
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter sub olive oil for vegan
  • 1/2 onion sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic slivered
  • 4 cups chopped kale or other hearty greens well dried
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice or lemon juice
  • grated parmesan cheese omit for vegan
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. While skillet is heating, chop up kale, and thinly slice 1/2 red onion.
  • Melt 2 Tbsp butter in pan. Then add 1/2 whole red onion (sliced). Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sautee for 3-4 minutes, or until onion is slightly translucent.
  • After onion is slightly translucent and softened, add 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp lemon juice, and about 4 cups of chopped kale. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring kale occasionally. Remove from heat once kale is softened, and a bright green color.
  • Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and enjoy.
  • Serve with a pan fried pork chop, tofu, scrambled eggs, or salami + your favorite grain for a full meal.

Video

Sauteed Kale Salad

Notes

  • It may seem like a lot of kale, but 4 cups raw kale = ~2.5 cups cooked kale. Plus, it’s great as leftovers, so make extra!
  • Use whatever kind of hearty greens you have on hand like kale, collared greens, cabbages, and even spinach.

Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

Categories: Fall Recipes

About Rebecca

Welcome! Iโ€™m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, youโ€™ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

Previous Post: « Pan Seared Pork Chops
Next Post: Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Uhran says

    March 14, 2018 at 7:58 am

    Oh this looks so simple, healthy, and DELICIOUS!!! I love the addition of the parmesan cheese. I wouldn’t even mind adding some crunchy bacon to this too…Perfect for lunch or dinner and so versatile! nom nom

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    March 14, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    Oooh, I have some kale I won’t be using in a fresh salad. I should definitely make this one!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      do it!

      Reply
  3. Samantha says

    March 14, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    This looks amazing! I love a good kale salad

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      thanks! me too ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Abbey Sharp says

    March 14, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    LOVE your sautee trick to reduce food waste! I’m sure they also bring a ton of flavour.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      so much flavor! thanks

      Reply
  5. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says

    March 14, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    I love simple healthy salads like this! I am on board

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      right?! I’m all about simple too

      Reply
  6. GiGi says

    March 14, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    This is basically the only way I would eat kale! ONLY WAY!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Haha! it’s def one of my faves

      Reply
  7. Emily @Sinful Nutrition says

    March 14, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    I have a bag of kale just begging to be made into this! Looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      yaaassss! LMK how it goes

      Reply
  8. Jennings says

    March 20, 2018 at 2:45 am

    5 stars
    Hello Rebecca, this kale salad looks very delicious!Looks like very healthy one. I would love to make at home!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      thanks! let me know if you make it& how it turns out

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

MEET REBECCA

Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Blog in a kitchen making guacamole with chips and dips on counter

Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a dietitian & lazy home cook. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find quick, delicious recipes for one person to get you excited to cook at home.

Learn More About Rebecca MS, RDN, CD

Featured In

logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

Top Recipes

cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli

Easy Instant Pot Fish

six different fridge and pantry meals in an image

Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Meals for One

red wine vinegar coleslaw in a glass bowl with tongs in it

Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw

holding the handle of a cast iron skillet with peach cobbler in it

The Best Peach Cobbler

Winter Recipes

smashed cranberries and juice in a glass with a green striped straw

Smashed Cranberry Mocktail

kale, apple, and pomegranate salad with fork in it

Holiday Kale Slaw with Apples

close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese

Delicata Squash Soup

close up of warm kale salad in a white bowl with a fork in it

Warm Kale Salad

fish tacos with white sauce and orange salsa on a white plate

Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa

grapefruit salad in a bowl

Avocado Grapefruit Salad

More Posts from this Category

Pantry Dinners

square image of pesto pasta with chicken and parmesan cheese

Healthy Pistachio Pasta

square image of black bean pasta with cheese in a bowl

Easy Black Bean Pasta

maple mustard salmon and brussels sprouts on a plate

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

six different fridge and pantry meals in an image

Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Meals for One

close up of pan seared pork chop, green beans, potatoes and a lemon on a plate

Pan Seared Pork Chops

close up of carrots, leeks, and white beans in a bowl

White Bean and Farro Bowl

More Posts from this Category

One Pot/One Pan Recipes

close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese

Delicata Squash Soup

overnight oats with apples in a jar

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

buffalo chicken flatbread with ranch on top

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

close up of chicken and yellow rice in a glass bowl

Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice

bowl of chicken fried rice

Chicken Fried Rice in the Instant Pot

cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli

Easy Instant Pot Fish

More Posts from this Category

Footer

wanna cook at home more

BUT don't want to plan out your meals? SIGN UP to download my free Pantry Essentials Checklist to throw together easy & delicious meals on the spot

Featured In

logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

Copyright© 2021 ยท by Rebecca Clyde

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Print