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    Home » Recipes

    Published: Feb 9, 2022 · Updated: Feb 14, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · We donate 10% of our profits to support good causes.

    21 Easy Vegan Kale Recipes (Mains, Sides & Salads)

    A Collage of Vegan Kale Recipes - Pasta, Salad, Curry and Fresh Kale Leaves.

    Wondering what's the best way to use kale? Discover these easy and tasty vegan kale recipes. From main dishes, salads, sides and smoothies there are lots of delicious ways to use this healthy leafy green.

    A Collage of Vegan Kale Recipes - Pasta, Salad, Curry and Fresh Kale Leaves.

    Table of Contents
    • Kale main dishes
    • Kale salads
    • Kale sides
    • Kale smoothies
    • More ideas for kale
    • Kale FAQs

    I thought I would never like kale - overcooked, soggy kale and slightly bitter, chewy kale leaves in salads put me off.

    But then I discovered the magic of how to use kale to make it delicious!

    The secret in salads is to gently massage the kale to make it tender and use salt or olive oil to help draw out the bitterness. I know massaging kale sounds odd, but trust me - it works wonders!

    And when cooking with kale, I prefer to keep it on the more al dente side of done, so that it still has a little bit of texture and freshness to it.

    Combining kale with garlic and lemon is the best way to flavour it - and many of these vegan kale recipes feature this delicious trio of ingredients!

    • For more super yummy kale flavour pairings be sure to read our guide on What Goes Well With Kale.

    Kale main dishes

    Kale & Mushroom Pasta

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    This 15 minute mushroom and kale pasta is one of our go-to winter dishes. It's so easy to make and has fresh ginger for a fiery, comforting kick!
    Make the recipe
    A bowl of kale and white bean soup.

    Vegan Kale & White Bean Soup

    by bakerita.com

    A creamy vegan kale and white bean soup that's ready in 30 minutes. Full of plant-based protein, this recipe makes a comforting and cosy meal for those chilly evenings.
    Make the recipe
    A bowl of kale and lentil stew.

    Lemony Lentil Stew With Kale

    by frugalnutrition.com

    A steaming bowl of this kale lentil stew is just what you need on a cold winter evening. With the fresh tang of lemon, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, this nourishing meal is packed full of flavour and veggies.
    Make the recipe
    A bowl of vegan kale and potato curry.

    Easy Kale Curry with Potatoes

    by savoryspin.com

    This Sri Lankan inspired curry is ready in under 30 minutes and has just 12 ingredients. It's spicy, fragrant and a delicious way to cook kale.
    Make the recipe
    Half an acorn squash stuffed with kale and quinoa.

    Roasted Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Kale

    by veganosity.com

    In this acorn squash recipe, kale is combined with quinoa and pine nuts to make a herby stuffing. Topped with a balsamic glaze for extra yum!
    Make the recipe
    Cubes of roasted butternut squash and dark green kale in a thick orange coloured curry sauce.

    Butternut Squash Curry with Kale

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    This incredibly creamy curry is another of our personal favourites. The thick spicy sauce and roasted butternut squash are beautifully combined with the fresh taste of kale added just at the end of cooking.
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    Pouring hollandaise sauce on an Avocado Kale Florentine.

    Avocado Kale Florentine with Smoked Paprika Hollandaise

    by spabettie.com
    For an amazing brunch, try this avocado and kale Florentine. Drizzled with smoky paprika hollandaise sauce for extra deliciousness.
    Make the recipe
    A burrito bowl with black beans, kale and quinoa.

    Kale + Black Bean Burrito Bowl

    by simple-veganista.com
    This simple burrito bowl recipe use kale marinated in lime juice to go with black beans and quinoa. A spicy tahini dressing brings it all together.
    Make the recipe

    Kale salads

    Slices of Braeburn apple are fanned and arranged on top of the massaged kale.

    Kale Apple Salad

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    We ADORE this kale salad with crisp apple and sunflower seeds. The combination of lemon, maple syrup and ginger creates an amazingly refreshing dressing that takes this salad to the next level. Taste and enjoy!
    Make the recipe
    A dish of kale and quinoa tabouli salad, next to wooden salad servers.

    Easy Kale and Quinoa Tabouli Salad

    by twohealthykitchens.com

    This twist on Tabouli Salad, features super-healthy kale and gluten-free quinoa! This recipe is great for making a big batch and enjoying over a few days.
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    A bowl of kale salad topped with vegan feta, oranges, tomatoes, pomegranate and pecans.

    Vegan Winter Kale Salad

    by beplantwell.com

    This kale salad is packed with nourishing ingredients - oranges, pomegranate seeds, pecans, arugula, tomatoes and vegan feta. A simple balsamic dressing brings it all together.
    Make the recipe
    A kale salad topped with chickpeas and pickled onions.

    Vegan Kale Caesar Salad

    by zardyplants.com

    This Vegan Kale Caesar Salad has crunchy croutons made from chickpeas and flavourful pickled onions for a twist on the classic dish! Ready in 15 minutes.
    Make the recipe
    A kale salad in a bowl with pink salad servers.

    Healthy Kale and Beet Salad Recipe

    by happyfoodstube.com

    For a colourful winter salad, give this kale and beet salad a try! Packed with veggies and a homemade walnut dressing (make sure to use maple syrup or vegan honey to keep it vegan).
    Make the recipe

    Kale sides

    Kale nachos on a oval plate with a yellow background.

    Kale Chip Nachos

    by minimalistbaker.com

    Ready in under 30 minutes these vegan 'nachos' use kale chips as their crunchy base. Topped with avocado, sweet potato, cilantro and spicy black beans for a tasty side dish.
    Make the recipe
    Kale chips on a baking sheet next to a tea towel.

    Kale Chips

    by inthekitch.net

    This step by step guide will show you how to make crispy kale chips in the oven. Simple and satisfying!
    Make the recipe
    A mortar containing vegan kale pesto.

    Vegan Kale Pesto Sauce

    byurbanfarmie.com

    A quick and easy recipe for kale pesto sauce made with avocado and cashews. Great to make a healthy pasta dinner or swirled into vegan yogurt to create a creamy dip.
    Make the recipe
    A bowl of sauteed kale.

    Sauteed Kale with Cider Vinegar

    by healthyseasonalrecipes.com

    This simple sauteed kale is seasoned with cider vinegar to make an easy and quick side dish.
    Make the recipe
    A bowl of vegan colcannon.

    Colcannon Recipe

    by knowyourproduce.com

    This vegan colcannon features fluffy mashed potatoes with kale and green onions. The perfect side dish for St Patricks Day!
    Make the recipe

    Kale smoothies

    A glass with kale smoothie topped with chia seeds.

    Vegan Kale Smoothie

    by makeitdairyfree.com

    Start your day with this dairy free green smoothie. Frozen banana makes it creamy, and orange and coconut water make it delighfully refreshing.
    Make the recipe
    A green smoothie in a mason jar.

    Nutritious Green Smoothie

    by nutriciously.com

    This green smoothie is packed broccoli, kale, apple, pineapple, spirulina, ginger, avocado and more to make a nutrient packed and tasty drink to start your day.
    Make the recipe
    A bottle and glass containing green smoothie.

    Kale Spinach Smoothie

    by runningonrealfood.com

    This protein packed smoothie is a great way to add more healthy greens like spinach and kale to your diet. With almond milk, almond butter, frozen banana, pineapple or mango.
    Make the recipe

    More ideas for kale

    Still looking for more vegan kale recipes or ideas? These are two of our favourite ways to use kale in our kitchen:

    • Use chopped kale as a substitute for spinach in our Lentil Potato Dahl. Kale is an ideal alternative to spinach in many recipes - it takes slightly longer to soften and wilt down, but is just as good.
    • Saute kale in olive oil in a large frying pan. Keep stirring for 1-2 minutes. When it is soft but still a fresh green colour, add a splash of soy sauce and squeeze of lemon juice. This is one of our favourite kale side dishes.

    Kale FAQs

    When is kale in season?

    Kale can be bought all year round. It is a cold hardy vegetable, so it's commonly enjoyed in the winter months. In the UK, kale harvest starts in September and carries on into early spring.

    What varieties of kale are there?

    There are four main varieties of kale. The most common is curly kale. Then you have the darker, more elongated, lacinato or Tuscan Kale which has thinner stems and a silky texture. Red Russian kale has more flat leaves, with a reddish stem. And baby kale is the smallest and most tender.

    How to store kale

    Store kale in the fridge, preferably in the crisper or vegetable drawer. Keeping it with a paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag can help it to stay fresher for longer. Don't wash kale before storing, as this can cause it to spoil more easily.

    How to remove kale stems

    In some varieties of kale, particularly mature curly kale, it is preferable to remove the tough, stringy stems. You can do this by holding the end of the stem with one hand and running your other hand down the stem to strip off the leafy part. You can also cut out the stem with a sharp knife.

    Can I freeze kale?

    Yes, you can freeze kale to store it year round. First, wash it well, and then dry very thoroughly using a salad spinner or towel. Remove the stems and then spread the remaining leaves out on a large baking sheet. Flash freeze for 2-3 hours until solid and then transfer your frozen leaves to a freezer container.

    We hope you enjoyed this collection of kale recipes! Be sure to check out our other recipe collections for more inspiration.

    Tell us your favourite vegan kale recipes and share your ideas in the comments below.

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