29 kale recipes

Curly kale, crispy kale and sea kale, we have recipes for all. Have you ever made kale crisps? Our recipe with smoky paprika salt makes a great healthy snack. We also have plenty of indulgent kale recipe including kale and paneer stuffed naans and smoky sausage and kale pizza.

Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own kale from our friends at Gardeners’ World.

When is kale in season?

UK kale season starts in September and ends in April. Kale is at its best between October and February.

Kale recipes

Kale crisps with smoky paprika salt

Kale makes a fantastic healthy low-fat, low-cal snack – a great alternative to crisps. Sprinkle with whatever spices you fancy – celery salt or a mild chilli powder would both work well.

Kale pesto

We’ve used kale instead of basil in this vibrant and versatile pesto, perfect for spaghetti, pastry tarts, gnocchi and more.

Kale pasta sauce

Sprinkle this vibrant kale sauce with pecorino for an umami tang. This recipe comes from nose-to-tail Italian restaurant, Manteca.

Kale and gnocchi parmesan bake

A clever way to transform shop-bought gnocchi. A simple, homemade tomato sauce is the base for this cheesy, kale-packed midweek dinner.

Kale and broccoli salad with kefir dressing

Crisp and crunchy, this low calorie salad with creamy kefir dressing would make a quick and easy healthy dinner idea. The toasted walnuts add a satisfying bite to the greens.

Cajun chicken supreme with kale salad and honey mustard dressing

This crunchy kale salad with a honey-mustard dressing makes the perfect accompaniment for chicken supreme. A brilliant dish if you’re looking for a speedy, low-calorie dinner.

Miso kale, pomegranate and chicken salad

Make the most of kale in our nourishing yet vibrant chicken salad for a flavoursome meal for four.

Kale, chorizo and potato soup

Make kale the star of this nutritious, low calorie potato and chorizo soup.

Sausages and kale recipe with puy lentils

Make the most of kale in our sausage one-pot recipe, served with a quick, punchy gremolata on the side.

Kiwi and kale smoothie

Try this next-level smoothie from bloggers Green Kitchen Stories. Their new book, Green Kitchen Smoothies, is a celebration of this healthy way to pack fruit, veg and nuts into your diet. This show-stopping smoothie can double up for dessert or breakfast. Here are our top smoothie recipes for you to try.

Sausage-and-kale-stuffed pasta shells

Herby sausages, nutritious kale, creamy ricotta and a pinch of chilli make this pasta bake an epic family meal.

Vegan kale caesar salad

Swap bacon for crunchy, paprika-smoked aubergine slivers in our vegan twist on the classic caesar salad.

Kale, chilli and ricotta calzone

Try our calzone packed with punchy chilli, kale and creamy ricotta. This simple veggie recipe is easy to make and ready in under an hour.

Kale and paneer stuffed naan

An indulgent way to enjoy kale. This recipe for kale and paneer stuffed naan is vegetarian and easy to make. Serve with mango chutney or alongside your favourite curry.

Smoky sausage and kale pizza

Kale on a pizza? Hell yeah! Prepare your dough beforehand to make this easy Brooklyn-style smoky sausage and crispy kale pizza. It's packed full of flavour and, as soon as your dough is risen and ready, it only takes 45 minutes to bake – perfect midweek cheesy comfort food.

Cauliflower sformato with crispy kale and caramelised pine nuts

Think of a sformato as a little like a cross between a dense soufflé and a crustless quiche. The term literally means ‘unmoulded’ in Italian, which doesn’t sound half as romantic when you translate it. It can be made with all sorts of vegetables and makes a really impressive vegetarian main course for vegetarian entertaining, along with these ideas.

Kale hush puppies with lemon aïoli

Hush puppies are little American savoury donuts in a polenta batter. A classic side dish for seafood, they are also great for parties. These vegetarian kale versions are served with an aioli dip.

Kale chicken caesar salad

Try this kale chicken caesar salad for a modern twist on the classic caesar salad. This recipe is really easy, ready in just 30 minutes and under 500 calories - perfect for a midweek meal.

Lemon chicken and kale stew with couscous

Get the health benefits of kale in a stew. This recipe for lemon chicken and kale stew with couscous is a really easy midweek meal. It is low fat and ready in less than 30 minutes.

Kale fiorentina pizzas

We've swapped spinach for kale in this twist on a classic fiorentina pizza. Easy to make and under 500 calories, it beats a take-away

Lamb koftas with kale salad

So easy to put together, lamb koftas make the best weeknight supper. Here we’re serving them with a super healthy Brussels sprouts and kale winter salad for a delicious low-carb dinner.

Pork, kale and spring onion stir-fry

A great midweek supper if you feel like you need some chilli! Really quick to throw together and the pork is delicious with the red chilli, ginger and mirin.

Kale pasta with garlic and chilli

This healthy, quick vegetarian meal uses only 5 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes.

Kale and sweet potato hash

Healthy and comforting, this kale and sweet potato hash with a chilli kick is a quick and easy meal to brighten up your day midweek. It also makes a great brunch dish for the weekend.

Squash, kale, caramelised onion & feta tarts

These individual squash, kale, caramelised onion and feta tarts are really easy to make but look impressive and are packed full of flavour. We love the salty feta with the sweet squash and onion.

Kale waldorf salad with buttermilk dressing

This kale waldorf salad with buttermilk dressing is a clever update on a classic and with a good amount of crunch and tangy dressing, it makes for a really useful side dish.

Kale salad with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate molasses and almonds

This kale salad with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate molasses and almonds is easy, ready in 35 minutes, vegetarian and, best of all, under 300 calories. It's so packed full of flavour from the sweet butternut squash and crunchy almonds though, that you'll forget you're being virtuous.

Green barley with kale, pistachios and mint

This hearty salad is vegetarian and easy to make but is packed full of different flavours and textures. It goes particularly well with tea-smoked salmon

Kale smoothie

Try our health editor's vegan, four-ingredient green smoothie, packed with vitamins and nutrients including vitamin C.