Can You Freeze Kale? How?

If you are wondering whether you can freeze kale or not, here is the ultimate guide on freezing kale to help you out. 

I and many others have found these methods to work like a charm.

Here is how you can go about it. 

How to Freeze Kale?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This is the most recommended way of freezing kale, and it is also easier on your digestive system. 

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Materials

• Kale
• Boiling Water
• Ice Bath

Tools

• Paper Towel
• Ziploc Bag

Instructions

1. Clean and Prep: Thoroughly wash the kale, getting rid of any wilted leaves or bugs. Then prep the kale based on your preference.
   
   If you wish to put them in some stir-fry, it would be best to chop it up beforehand. If you don't want the stem to bother you in the smoothies, you can remove it as well.
   
   
2. Blanch: Put the kale in a pot of boiling water for a minute. Then transfer it into an ice bath to stop any further cooking.
   
   
3. Dry the Kale: Remove all traces of moisture from the kale by drying it with a paper towel. The drier it is, the better it will be when frozen.
   
   
4. Pack and Seal: Pack the kale into a Ziploc bag and seal them in. Try to squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing.
   
   
5. Label and Freeze: Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are good to go.
   
   Here is a video by “Kendra Lee” on YouTube to help you out -

Freezing Kale after Flash Freezing Them

This is another great way to freeze kale for longer. It makes pulling out a handful of frozen kale an easier job. 

Wash and Prep

Clean the kale thoroughly and get rid of any bugs or wilted leaves. Then cut them up or remove the stem as you prefer. You could also blanch and dry them if you like.

Spread Out

Lay the kale leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Try to space them out evenly and make sure that they don’t clump together.

Flash Freeze

Leave the tray of kale in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let it freeze solid.

Pack and Seal

Transfer the frozen kale into a Ziploc bag and seal them. Make sure that it is as air-tight as possible. You can use a straw to suck out most of the air inside, before sealing.

Label and Freeze

Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you can freeze the kale till you need it next.

Check out this tutorial by “Calgary Avansino” to see how it is done –

Freezing Kale Scoops or Pucks

Here is a great way to portion and freeze kale. This way, you can pull out just the right amount you would need for mealtime. 

Wash and Prep

Clean the kale leaves thoroughly and roughly chop them up.

Blanch

Put the leaves into a pot of boiling water for a minute and then transfer them into an ice bath to stop further cooking. You could, alternatively, steam the kale instead.

Drain and Portion

Squeeze out the excess water from the kale and using a measuring cup portion out scoops or pucks of blanched kale. Optionally, you could portion them into muffin trays or silicon molds.

Lay Out

Line up the scoops of kale onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the scoops don’t touch each other and are evenly spaced.

Flash Freeze

Leave the tray (or muffin tray or mold) in the freezer and let the kale freeze solid.

Pack and Seal

Pack the frozen kale into a Ziploc bag and seal them after making sure to squeeze out all the excess air.

Label and Freeze

Once you add a label on the bag with the best before date, you can freeze the kale till you need it next.

To get a clearer picture, check out this tutorial by “Plant-Based Gabriel” on YouTube –

Freezing Kale Puree

If you use a lot of frozen kale in your smoothies, these extra few steps can give you a less grainy kale smoothie. 

Clean and Puree

Wash the kale thoroughly and then put them into a blender with some water and puree it till you get the consistency you want.

Fill the Tray

Pour the kale puree into a muffin tray or a silicone mold, with your preferred portion size.

Flash Freeze

Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let the puree freeze solid.

Pack and Seal

Put the frozen kale puree into a Ziploc bag and seal them in. Make sure to squeeze out the excess air before sealing.

Label and Freeze

Finally, add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are all set.

Here is a tutorial by “Organize Yourself Skinny” on YouTube with this and several other kale freezing tips –

How Long Can You Freeze Kale? 

Kale can last in the freezer for 6 to 12 months. If it has been blanched beforehand it will last for longer than kale that wasn’t blanched. The raw kale lasts in the freezer for only a couple of months. 

But in any case, it is best advised to consume the kale sooner rather than later. Though it can last for long in the freezer and may be safe to eat, its quality and texture deteriorate over time.

How to Store Frozen Kale? 

You can store frozen kale in Ziploc bags or freezer-safe air-tight containers. The key is to make sure that they are dry and protected from being exposed to air or freezer burns. 

But Ziploc bags are your best bet if you don’t have much freezer space and have a big batch of kale to freeze.

Whether it is blanched kale or frozen kale scoops, the Ziploc bags offer more compact storage than freezer-safe containers. 

How to Defrost Kale? 

Although you needn’t defrost frozen kale to use it, you can thaw it by leaving the bag of the portion you need in a bowl of cold water for a while. 

But keep in mind that the kale can get slimy and soft once it thaws and might not be great to cut or work with.

So, it is best to cut them up beforehand and cook them right out of the freezer. 

You can directly add frozen kale into your smoothies or any other recipe of your choice. If it has been frozen for long, it is best to cook them. 

Can You Refreeze Kale? 

Although you can refreeze kale, it is best advised not to. If you do refreeze it, you should only do it once, and the kale should not have been left out for too long. 

The kale can get slimy and change in taste and texture once it thaws. Repeated freezing will only worsen this condition and also increase the chances of bacterial growth. 

Does Kale Freeze Well? 

Yes, kale freezes well, and it is a great way to extend its shelf life and a perfect way to portion it for smoothies or other recipes. Blanched kale freezes best and lasts for longer. 

But kale freezes best for a couple of months and, irrespective of its freezer-life, will deteriorate in quality and taste, the longer it stays in the freezer. 

FAQs

Bottom Line 

I hope this article helped you freeze and store kale for the long term. 

If you have any doubts or would like to share some methods and tips of your own, it would be great to hear from you. 

Feel free to share this article with all your kale-loving family and friends.