Does Freezing Kale Ruin It?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Does freezing kale ruin it? Kale, like few other vegetables, freezes beautifully — but you have to deactivate enzymes in the kale before putting it in the freezer.

Most vegetables have these enzymes that cause the vegetables to continue aging and rotting even if the vegetable is frozen

.

Can you freeze kale uncooked?


You can freeze kale without blanching

, but plan to use it within four to six weeks. Unblanched kale may develop a bitter flavor because you haven’t stopped the action of the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves.

Does freezing kale lose its nutrients?

Generally speaking, freezing helps retain the nutrient content of fruits and vegetables. However,

some nutrients begin to break down when frozen produce is stored for more than a year

( 2 ). Certain nutrients are also lost during the blanching process. In fact, the greatest loss of nutrients occurs at this time.

Can you thaw frozen kale?

Is frozen kale as good as fresh?

If you’re wondering whether frozen kale is as healthy as the fresh stuff,

it totally is

. It has all of the same nutrients that fresh kale has, and sometimes even more, depending on how “fresh” your fresh kale really is.

Can I freeze bagged kale?


You can freeze kale (and bagged spinach)

, so you can keep it on hand without it getting all gross and stinky in the back of your refrigerator. It’s incredibly simple to do, but if you’re new to freezing vegetables make sure keep reading to understand how to make the best use of your frozen kale (or spinach).

What is the best way to preserve kale?


Store Whole Bunches In the Fridge

To avoid excess moisture, wrap the whole bunch of kale in a layer of paper towels, and store in a supermarket plastic bag or a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. The kale should keep for 1 week.

Can frozen kale be used in salad?

If you’re making salads, kale chips, or other recipes where a crunchy texture is called for,

frozen kale will not work

. However, in smoothies, or soups and other cooked dishes, frozen kale can be a great resource — and freezing kale is a good way to keep an overlarge stock from going to waste.

What is healthier kale or spinach?

The Bottom Line. Kale and spinach are highly nutritious and and associated with several benefits. While kale offers more than twice the amount of vitamin C as spinach,

spinach provides more folate and vitamins A and K

. Both are linked to improved heart health, increased weight loss, and protection against disease.

Should I blanch kale before freezing?

Do You Have to Blanch Kale to Freeze It? Yes and no.

If you want to store your frozen leafy greens for several months they need to be blanched first

. While you can freeze kale and other leafy greens raw they will only keep for a month to month and a half before the texture, color and flavor all start to deteriorate.

Is frozen kale mushy?

You can safely freeze kale but the texture will change and result in a quality that is less crisp.

Once thawed or defrosted, kale will lose some of its water, thus becoming soft and lose some of its crispness

. Because kale is a hearty green, it freezes very well and retains some of its texture.

What do you do with frozen kale?

4 Ways to Use Frozen Kale in Your Cooking


Soups and stews

: Add frozen kale to a soup or stew recipe just before serving. Stir-fries: Use frozen kale to add instant lift to a stir-fry in need of greens, or pair the defrosted veggie with sautéed garlic and red pepper flakes for a flavorful, healthy side.

What can I do with too much kale?

  1. Kale Smoothie. …
  2. Kale Frittata. …
  3. Kale Lettuce Wraps. …
  4. Summer Kale and Green Goddess Soup.
  5. Soup in the middle of summer? …
  6. Kale Pizza. …
  7. Kale Pesto. …
  8. The Best Kale Chips Ever.

How long can you freeze kale?

This nutrient-packed and versatile green keeps for

up to 6 months

in the freezer. Learn how to freeze kale, thaw it and enjoy it.

How do you freeze kale without blanching?

Can you freeze fresh greens without blanching? Yes, you can and it’s so easy. You simply need to

wash, dry, remove from the stems, and place into a freezer bag

. No blanching required!

How do you store kale long term?

For a bunch of whole leaves, it’s all about avoiding excess moisture.

Wrap the bunch of kale in a layer of paper towels, and store in a supermarket plastic bag or a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer

. The kale should be in great shape for a week.

How long is kale good for in the fridge?

After you wash the kale and remove the excess moisture, portion it out and wrap it up loosely in clean paper towels. Store it in a ziplock bag or airtight container in the fridge in the crisper drawer for

up to 6 days

.

Is frozen kale good for smoothies?

Can you freeze fresh greens without blanching?

Can you eat kale stems?

Too often recipes instruct you to “remove and discard kale stems.” But did you know

you can actually cook them

—and that they’re delicious? It’s true! Kale, oh kale, how we love your leafy greens.

What can I do with a bumper crop of kale?

Are you still at a loss for ways to use that bumper crop of garden kale?

Try using kale leaves as a sandwich wrap or place under fish and chicken during the cooking process

. Kale can also be chopped or minced and used in the following dishes: Pizza (topping)

Why does my kale smell like fish?

If ‘healthy’ had a smell, this would be it. But, when kale goes bad, the smell is undeniably disgusting.

You can smell the sulphur gases and the stagnant water that’s escaped from the rotted kale

. It’s unavoidable and toe-curling in its strength.

Can dogs eat kale?

Can I cook kale from frozen?

Kale is most readily available fresh in spring and fall, but

frozen kale is available year-round

. Keeping a bag or two in the freezer ensures you always have it available when a recipe calls for kale. To cook frozen kale, place 1 cup of water in the pot for every 2 cups of frozen kale.

What does kale do to your poop?

Kale is more than a food trend, it’s also one of nature’s best natural laxatives. Dark leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, and spinach contain magnesium, a mineral that

helps soften stools, making them easier to pass

.

Is it good to eat kale everyday?

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.

What is the healthiest vegetable?

How long does blanched kale last?

Store blanched kale

up to 7 days in the refrigerator

.

Make sure it is sealed properly in a plastic bag or container. It still eventually wilts, but it will last a little longer than raw kale.

How long should you blanch kale?

Should I blanch kale before freezing?

What can I do with too much fresh kale?

  1. Start boiling a big pot of water.
  2. Separate the leaves from the stems. …
  3. Add kale leaves to boiling water and cook for 1 – 3 minutes.

How long is kale good in fridge?

What do you do with frozen kale?

4 Ways to Use Frozen Kale in Your Cooking


Soups and stews

: Add frozen kale to a soup or stew recipe just before serving. Stir-fries: Use frozen kale to add instant lift to a stir-fry in need of greens, or pair the defrosted veggie with sautéed garlic and red pepper flakes for a flavorful, healthy side.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.