45 kale recipes

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.

Why we love kale

Kale is a type of cabbage that is grown for its leaves. It has tough and fibrous central stems that need to be removed, or very finely chopped if using, with firm green leaves. This versatile green holds its texture in soups and stews, making it a favourite winter ingredient but it's equally good when massaged and tossed into a salad. There really is no end to the ways you can use it.

Health benefits of kale

Did you know kale contains four times more vitamin C than spinach? What's more, it's packed with plant-based calcium, vitamin K and vitamin E. Eating more of it could support a healthy immune system, metabolism and strong bones.

Kale recipes

Feel-good winter salad

This nourishing salad is packed with lots of fresh ginger and garlic, full of antioxidants and vitamins. Raw kale is great for digestion, along with beetroots, broccoli and avocado.

Pasta with sausage, kale and mustard

This creamy Italian sausage pasta is quick and comforting. Herby sausages, garlic, dijon mustard, cream and chilli are a match made in heaven. If you don't have rigatoni, swap it for spaghetti.

You'll love our popular vodka pasta.

Almond-crusted chicken with marinated kale and sumac salad

Make this salad to reset at the start of the new year – it’s filling, crunchy, fresh, vibrant, and good for you. It packs well for lunchboxes, too.

Pistachio and kale pesto pasta

Opt for seasonal kale pesto, which is a great match with burrata, rye bread, and lemon. It's also perfect for a winter twist in soups, meatballs, or on pizzas.

Roast vegetable salad with kale pesto

Toss vibrant roasted veggies with grains and a nutty kale pesto dressing for an easy vegetarian side dish.

For another filling, flavour-packed salad, try Moroccan cauliflower salad.

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.

We've got plenty of gnocchi recipes, or learn to make your own.

Sautéed kale with caramelised onions and anchovies

Combine sweet caramelised onions and salty anchovies with kale to make this easy but impressive side dish, perfect for pairing with roast meats.

Sausage pappardelle with kale

Here, ribbons of pappardelle are combined with butter, onion, fennel seeds, sausages and a hint of chilli. It makes a wonderful warming midweek meal for two.

Check out all our autumn recipes for more like this.

Cumin-crusted chicken with kale salad and hummus dressing

A nourishing meal of spiced lean chicken breast, cooked until juicy, then served atop a quick salad of kale, peppers and toasted almonds. Serve with a drizzle of hummus and white wine vinegar dressing.

Browse all our chicken salad recipes.

Turmeric fried eggs and kale salad

This veggie salad pairs turmeric-spiced fried eggs with crunchy kale and chickpeas. Finish with a drizzle of speedy tahini sauce.

Use up a box of eggs and make easy egg fried rice.

Bacon and kale pesto flatbreads

Make the most of surplus kale and bacon with this seriously good flatbread, flavoured with bacon fat and cumin seeds. Pile on bacon and eggs, then top with chilli jam.

Get stuck into our easy flatbread recipes.

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.

See all our family-friendly recipes.

Kale smoothie

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

Check out our pineapple smoothie and more smoothie recipes.

Kale pasta sauce

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

Check out all our sumptuous pasta sauce recipes.

Kale, chorizo and potato soup

Spicy flavour is released from the chorizo as it cooks in this warming soup, making the potatoes and broth deeply delicious. You'll be surprised to learn it's low in calories.

See all our healthy soup recipes.

Cod, kale and marinated beans

Get supper on the table quickly with this easy cod dish – even with a little kale massaging and marinating, you’ll be eating in just 20 minutes.

Find more light meals in our cod recipes.

Sausages and braised Puy lentils with kale

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

Have a look at our slow-cooker sausage casserole, healthy sausage traybake and more sausage recipes.

Hummus, kale and coriander noodles

Make a rich dressing of hummus, tahini, soy sauce and chilli oil before tossing through the noodles and kale.

We've got noodle recipes for every mood.

Gnocchi with kale and dolcelatte

Simply combine kale, gnocchi, blue cheese and crème fraîche, then bake and you've got yourself an easy, comforting dinner.

Next, our tuna pasta bake.

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 salmon.

See our healthy salmon recipes.

Vegan kale caesar salad

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

You'll love all our vegan salad recipes.

Vegetarian lasagne

Try our kale and leek lasagne for a plant-based alternative to this classic family dish. With layers of greens and fresh pesto, it's not only delicious but full of goodness, too.

Take a look at our classic lasagne.

Kale, chilli and ricotta calzones

Try our calzone packed with punchy chilli, kale and creamy ricotta. This simple veggie recipe is a great option for autumnal lunches.

Have a look at our tasty our mushroom calzones.

Ricotta and kale cannelloni

For an autumnal take on pasta bake, serve up ricotta and kale cannelloni. It's a delicious vegetarian option for the family to enjoy. It freezes well, too, so make a batch and freeze for later.

For another cheesy dish, try our classic mac 'n' cheese.

Miso kale, pomegranate and chicken salad

For those times you need a nourishing yet speedy supper, there's this vibrant chicken salad for four.

Find more ideas in our chicken salad recipes.

Kale and paneer stuffed naan

This luxurious naan is stuffed with kale, melted paneer and spices to make a sharing dish as part of an Indian-inspired spread. Serve with mango chutney or alongside your favourite curry.

Browse all our fantastic vegetarian curries.

Halloumi, kale and tahini salad

Salty halloumi works wonders here with the softened kale and nutty tahini. It makes for a quick, delicious and light lunch or evening meal.

Be inspired by our vegetarian salad recipes.

Smoky sausage and kale pizza

Kale on a pizza? You bet. Prepare your dough beforehand to make this easy Brooklyn-style sausage and crispy kale pizza. Once your dough has risen, it only takes 45 minutes to bake – perfect midweek cheesy comfort food.

We've got more tempting pizza recipes.

Healthy gnocchi

Golden baked gnocchi, hazelnut pesto and vibrant veggies such as butternut squash and kale come together in this hearty vegetarian dinner.

Browse all our healthy dinner ideas.

Kale chicken caesar salad

Try this nutritious meal for a modern twist on the classic caesar salad. This recipe is really easy, ready in just 30 minutes and less than 500 calories.

We have plenty of ideas using chicken breasts.

Lemon chicken and kale stew with couscous

Zingy lemon adds a touch of freshness to this easy lemon chicken and kale stew with couscous. It's a great low-fat meal and ready in less than 30 minutes.

See all our couscous recipes.

Kale pesto

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

Or stick with our classic pesto.

Feta and kale börek

Make the most of the seasonal superfood kale by combining with salty feta in this filo pastry tart. Serve with leafy salads for an easy veggie dinner.

Find more filo pastry recipes.

Kale salad with tadka dressing

Kale is tossed with avocado and a dressing of honey, vinegar, garlic and chilli, then topped with crisp, golden croutons made from punchy garlic and coriander naan breads to make this low-calorie salad.

See all our low-calorie vegetarian meals.

Kiwi, kale and chia parfait smoothie

Try this next-level smoothie from bloggers Green Kitchen Stories. This smoothie can double up as a dessert or breakfast.

See our top smoothie recipes.

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.

Serve up classic creamy chicken supremes.

Lamb koftas with kale salad

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

We've got more healthy mince recipes.

Pork, kale and spring onion stir-fry

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

Next, try Tuscan pork loins.

Squash, kale, caramelised onion and feta tarts

These individual squash, kale, caramelised onion and feta tarts make an impressive starter. We love the salty feta with the sweet squash and onion.

See our butternut squash recipes for more ways with this seasonal star.

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.

Got buttermilk left over? It's time to make buttermilk pancakes.

Pasta with kale, anchovies and lemon

Simple but so effective. This pasta dish that manages to be both light and comforting. Made in just 15 minutes, kale is teamed with melting anchovies, garlic and lemon then stirred through pasta. Guaranteed to be a new favourite.

Check out more quick pasta recipes.

Kale salad with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate molasses and almonds

A celebration of autumn flavours and colours, this salad is nutritious, vegetarian and less than 300 calories. Sweet butternut squash and crunchy almonds make it a hearty dish.

Read our guide on pomegranate molasses.

Kale crisps with smoky paprika salt

Kale makes a fantastic snack and a great alternative to crisps. Sprinkle with whatever spices you fancy – celery salt or a mild chilli powder would both work well.

Browse our healthy low-fat, low-cal snacks.

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. It can be made with all sorts of vegetables and makes a really impressive vegetarian main course for vegetarian entertaining.

See all our vegetarian entertaining ideas.

Bavette with creamed kale and seaweed

This impressive bavette steak recipe with creamy kale and seaweed, from Two Lights in east London, is great for serving to dinner party guests.

Next, try steak burritos.