How to Freeze Kale
Whether it’s homegrown or from the store, freezing kale is one of my very favorite food storage hacks. It keeps the greens from going bad before we get a chance to use them and it’s a perfect way to keep greens on hand to make smoothies, muffins, soups, and more.
Greens for Smoothies
Green smoothies are a nutritious and easy family meal option for all ages. The classic options for green smoothies are kale and spinach, which are my go-tos as well. I like that they are easy to find and packed with iron, fiber, and Vitamin C. The downside? Greens can go bad quickly in the fridge and they can often make a smoothie actually taste like a salad. Which no one wants! The solution? Storing them in the freezer! This method totally knocks down the “green” flavor to virtually guarantee that your kale smoothie won’t actually taste like kale.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in freezing kale. This maintains the nutrition, prevents food waste, and helps you keep a stash of greens on hand for whenever the smoothie urge strikes. TIP: Find my go-to Simple Green Smoothie here.
Best Recipes to Use Frozen Kale
Once you have your frozen greens, you can use them in these recipes to share with the kids.
Cheesy GreensMini Meatballs with KaleSimple Green SmoothieSpinach Banana MuffinsSpinach Banana PancakesSpinach Egg Muffins
TIP: Find my full post on how to freeze spinach here.
Making Green Smoothies Taste Better
The key is to not go overboard with the amount of greens! Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using frozen greens in smoothies.
Don’t over do it because a smoothie that actually tastes like kale is one that no one will drink.Keep fresh kale to no more than ½ cup of crushed frozen kale.
Best Tips for Success
Crush the frozen greens for a more compact bag in the freezer and for easier measuring.Blend the smoothie very well to incorporate all of the greens.You can experiment with adding more to a smoothie, but taste it before you give it to the kids to make sure it’s sweet enough.You may also like How to Freeze Spinach, How to Freeze Bananas, and How to Freeze Peaches.
Have you tried this freezer hack? I’d love to know in the comments below!
