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How to de-stem and thinly slice kale

March 22, 2013 by Marin Mama 26 Comments

DSC_0006 kaleOk, so I have a lot of kale salads on the blog, (20 if you’re counting) so I thought it might be nice to share a post on how to de-stem and thinly slice kale, instead of always linking you all to my lactinato kale salad recipe where you have to scroll down the post just to get the info. I’ve also created a video where I show you how to make my lacinato kale salad, as well as show you in person how to wash, de-stem and thinly slice kale. Check it out below…

I already did a post on how to keep kale and other greens fresh, and since then I have received a lot of positive comments from readers and friends saying that those simple tips have made their lives so much easier when it comes to preparing a salad at the end of the day. Kale is one of those lettuces that keeps well. If washed and stored properly, it will keep up to 2 weeks. Most kale salads last up to 3 days in the fridge. That means if you make a kale salad on Monday, you will have leftovers Tuesday and Wednesday.  I mean who doesn’t like a salad that you can make ahead or better yet have leftovers of?

A note about purchasing lacinato kale:  Don’t purchase lacinato kale that feels tough and paper-like.  It will not breakdown and thus will not absorb the dressing even when you massage it.  Kale is best when its soft and pliable, (feels like regular lettuce) as it absorbs the dressing and is tender when eaten.

Ok, here are the step-by-step photos for de-stemming and thinly slicing kale.

First off, whenever I wash my kale, I de-stem it at the same time over the sink, and then throw the de-stemmed leaves into the salad spinner to dry off.  Then all I have to do is slice up the dry kale leaves.

To de-stem kale, grab a stalk of kale, hold it by the stem with one hand and place the pointer or middle finger and thumb of your other hand around the stem just above the leaves. Pull your fingers along the stem, tearing the leaves off.  You can do this step right above the sink after you wash your kale leaves.

DSC_0927See how easily the leaf pulls away from the stem? This step gets easier each time you do it.  At this point you can wrap the kale leaves in paper towels and store them, or continue on below if you’re making a salad.

DSC_0928Here is how to cut your kale into thin strips. You can also use this technique for any sort of lettuce and herbs.  Take 3-4 kales leaves and lay them on top of one another, and then roll them up tightly.  If you’re using curly kale, it’s easier to just tear it apart into small pieces after you de-stem it, as it’s a bit unruly to roll up and cut into thin slices.  

DSC_0945

DSC_0951Take your knife and slice the kale into thin strips until you get to the end.

DSC_0959 DSC_0962Aren’t the kale slices so pretty?  Throw your kale slices into a large bowl and top with your favorite dressing.

DSC_0964Here are some links to some of my favorite kale salad recipes.

Lacinato kale salad

lacinato kale salad

miso kale salad with miso roasted tofu

Miso kale salad

Kale salad with delicata squash, almonds and aged cheddar

kale salad with delicata squash, almonds and aged cheddar

Vegan, kale, cranberry, apple and toasted almond salad with lemon dressing

kale, cranberry, apple and toasted almond salad with lemon dressingkale and ricotta salata salad 

kale salad with ricotta salataI hope that this post was helpful for you all. I feel like I’ve become sort of a kale expert, so if you have any questions about kale, ask me!

xoxo, Jackie 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna says

    July 2, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    I had no idea the stems were to be removed from kale! I find it unpleasant in my mouth. My fresh kale from my patio now looks edible!!!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    March 17, 2015 at 4:59 am

    Is it better to cut with a plastic knife?

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      March 17, 2015 at 12:31 pm

      Hi there! You can totally use a regular knife. I’ve never used a plastic knife to be honest!

      Reply
  3. Jake Albano says

    October 23, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    Very helpful! I would have made my first kale salad with stems included if I hadn’t found this. 😉

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      October 28, 2014 at 3:21 am

      Ha Ha! I’m super happy to help Jake and I’m glad you got to enjoy a “stemless” kale salad! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply
  4. 'Becca says

    October 8, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    I’m so glad to find this (via link at Becoming Gezellig)! I already had figured out these strategies and have to some extent described them verbally in some of the posts of my many kale recipes, but I rarely post photos because I do most of my writing during lunch break at work–so it’s great to find a photo tutorial. I am linking to it in my big post of kale ideas and the recipe for Green Ribbon Lentils, which uses lacinato kale sliced exactly like this.

    Reply
  5. Bennett says

    November 17, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    Really enjoyed these kale receipes !!!!

    Reply
  6. Kepanie says

    March 23, 2013 at 4:34 am

    THese all look so good. I have yet to try raw kale as I usually cook it down.

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      March 25, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      Hi Kepanie! Yes, try raw kale, it’s really not as scary as people think. The lacinato kale really tastes like lettuce. The curly kale is the one that gives kale the bad rap for tasting bad. Curly kale is more bitter and leaves a chalky aftertaste.

      Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    I love the tutorial and love your kale salad round-up. I’m having kale salad tonight! Hey, it’s Mama’s night off so have a great dinner out wherever you go, and have a great weekend! I saw you commented on my posts too so will go over there, but yes, we are both post crazy this week with 3 posts! When you’re feeling inspired, you’re feeling inspired. Teehee! xoxo, Sharon

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      March 23, 2013 at 4:00 am

      Hey Sharon! I’m so glad you’re having (or had) some kale salad tonight! Marin mama actually ended up cooking tonight. We’re heading out to dinner tomorrow night, so I decided to cook. For some reason I have an abundance of energy this week. I hope it lasts because I’m getting so much done! Have a great weekend girl! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  8. Mary says

    March 22, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    excellent! not only great tips but great kale recipes also :))
    Mary x

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      March 22, 2013 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks Mary!

      Reply
  9. Michelle says

    March 22, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Great tutorial girl! Love the wood under the first photo! Is that a cutting board?

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      March 22, 2013 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks Michelle! Yes, it’s a cutting board that actually needs some mineral oil rubbed into it. I picked it up at Sur La Table.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kale and Quinoa Sauté | thenutricionista says:
    June 16, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    […] the quinoa is cooking, de-stem kale and rinse with cold water. Marin Mama Cooks does a great job of demonstrating how to quickly do […]

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  2. Snappy Salads – Lemony Kale Salad | The Mindful Veggie says:
    April 12, 2015 at 2:41 am

    […] the kale and strip the leaves off the stem. (You can check this video from Marin Mama Cooks on how to prep the kale). Break the leaves into bite sized pieces into […]

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  3. Snappy Salads – Lemony Kale Salad | Roz Ka Khana says:
    November 10, 2014 at 6:46 am

    […] the kale and strip the leaves off the stem. (You can check this video from Marin Mama Cooks on how to prep the kale). Break the leaves into bite sized pieces into […]

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  4. Sweet Summer Kale Salad - Climb Healthy says:
    October 24, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    […] bunch kale (of any kind), de-stemmed, and thinly sliced: Click here to see step-by-step instructions on how to de-stem and thinly slice […]

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  5. Lacinato Kale Salad | Your CSA says:
    June 2, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    […] Wash, de-stem and thinly slice your kale. To see step-by-step instructions on how to de-stem and thinly sliced kale click here. […]

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  6. vegan kale salad with citrus dressing – Marin Mama Cooks says:
    March 18, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    […] 1 bunch of lacinato/dinasour kale, de-stemmed, thinly sliced – to see how to de-stem and thinly slice kale click here […]

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  7. Kale Salad | plumsnpears says:
    December 11, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    […] 1 to 1 1/2 bunches of lacinato kale, de-stemmed and thinly sliced –  I usually use 1 1/2 bunches of kale, as the kale really reduces down after you massage it. To see how to de-stem and thinly slice kale click here   […]

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  8. kale salad with brussels sprouts and toasted almonds – Marin Mama Cooks says:
    November 8, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    […] 1 to 1 1/2 bunches of lacinato kale, de-stemmed and thinly sliced –  I usually use 1 1/2 bunches of kale, as the kale really reduces down after you massage it. To see how to de-stem and thinly slice kale click here   […]

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  9. pasta with kale, lemon and toasted walnuts – Marin Mama Cooks says:
    October 29, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    […] thus making it perfect for those busy Meatless Mondays or any busy weeknight.  If you have your kale de-stemmed and ready to go, then this will take even less time.  All you’re basically doing is zesting […]

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  10. Kale & Spinach Smoothie! says:
    June 9, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    […] 2-3 leaves dinosaur or lacinato kale – rinsed and de-stemed.  Here’s a post on how to de-stem kale. […]

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  11. kale and ricotta salata salad | Marin Mama Cooks says:
    March 22, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    […] and de-stem your kale, and then cut it into thin strips.  I show you step-by-step photos on how to de-stem and slice kale in this post. Put the sliced kale into a large salad […]

    Reply

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Hi! Welcome to Marin mama cooks! I’m a natural chef, as well as a mom who loves to cook up tasty and healthy whole foods for her family.
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