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The Daily Insight

Does massaging kale make a difference?

Author

Sarah Duran

Updated on February 17, 2026

Does massaging kale make a difference?

Mushy kale. Over-massaged kale loses that texture we love so much. Rub the kale leaves together between your fingers, until they just start to wilt. You want to massage the leaves to the point where it you can feel a crisp and resistance in the bite, but aren’t struggling to tear away or chew.

Does massaging kale make it less bitter?

Below are a few ways to get the bitterness out of kale: Massage kale by rubbing it with your hands until it looks a little wilted and darker. This quick process helps release the bitterness. Kale can be massaged with salad dressing for 10+ minutes.

Does massaging kale help with digestion?

Tough, chewy, fibrous leaves, the kind you might encounter with mature kale or collards, can give your jaw muscles quite a workout, and aren’t all that pleasant to eat. Massaging the leaves will soften the fibers and make the leaves easier to chew, whether raw or cooked, as well as making them easier to digest.

Why is my kale so bitter?

The enthusiasts aren’t wrong—massaging kale does help wilt and soften the leaves, but it’s also partially to blame for kale’s bitterness. That’s because crushing the leaves breaks down the cell walls of two important chemicals naturally present in kale—the myrosinase enzyme and glucosinolates.

How long does massaged kale last in fridge?

3 days
How Long Does Massaged Kale Keep? Massaged kale will keep sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wait until you’re ready to serve to add the dressing.

Can you massage kale without oil?

Oil-free dressings are my favorite ones at the moment, it’s amazing you can make delicious dressings without oil and they taste even better! Now it’s time to massage the kale for at least 2 or 3 minutes. It can sound weird, but you need to do this if you want the kale to be soft.

How do you cook kale so it is not tough?

Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, once the oil is hot add the chopped kale, saute for 2 minutes. Season with salt, stir and cook until the leaves a tender and slightly wilted and toasted, 2 to 4 minutes. The longer the kale is in the pan the more toasted in flavor, and leaves will be more crispy.

How long do you have to massage kale?

How to Massage Kale. Our go-to method: Add chopped kale to a large bowl and top with lemon juice and olive oil. Use clean hands to massage for about 3 minutes to soften the leaves and infuse the leaves with the oil and lemon. A pinch of salt added near the end of massaging adds even more flavor.

How far ahead can you massage kale?

Massaged kale will keep sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wait until you’re ready to serve to add the dressing.

Should you massage kale before cooking?

If you’re cooking kale, you shouldn’t need to massage it first, as it’ll break down and soften during the cooking process. And, if you’re using a very tender kale leaf, like baby kale, you probably don’t need to worry about massages at all, either.

How long should you massage kale?

Should you blanch kale?

Blanching kale helps soften the tough fibers and makes it easier to chew. Most people do not care for raw kale, so blanching is a quick and easy way of making the leafy green more palatable.

What are the best recipes for Kale?

Directions Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add crushed red pepper flakes, if using, and let them sizzle a bit in the oil. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored. Raise heat to high, add the stock and kale and toss to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Does massaging Kale make a difference?

Massaging the kale really does make a difference in texture and taste! Add kale to soups, sautéed vegetables or stir fry dishes. The incredible thing about kale is it won’t shrink up and wilt like spinach when added to hot dishes.

What is the best salad dressing for Kale?

Directions. Layer carrots, roasted corn, tortilla chips, almonds, and smoked cheese on top of kale. Drizzle dressing over salad. Mix salad using tongs to evenly distribute. Gently stir eggs into salad.

What is the recipe for Kale?

Directions. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic until sizzling, about 1 minute. Add kale to the skillet and place a cover over the top. Cook, stirring occasionally with tongs, until kale is bright green and slightly tender, 5 to 7 minutes.