How to Cook Kale in Instant Pot
If you are looking for a quick, easy way to cook kale, look no further. Instant Pot Kale is delicious and easy, and it takes no time at all to learn how to steam kale in the Instant Pot. This makes for a great side dish to any meal that takes about 10 minutes.
How to Steam Kale in Instant Pot
Kale is a super food! It’s healthy, fast, versatile, and tasty! It is a great veggie for a weeknight meal.
Start to finish, it’s ready in less than fifteen minutes. And uncooked, it stays fresh in the fridge for more than a week, which is helpful when we’re limiting trips to the grocery store.
Why Should You Cook Kale in the Instant Pot?
I’ve been making kale on the stove for years, and while it is easy, it takes a long time and can wilt in the pan. Cooking it in the Instant Pot is a game changer. It’s fast, fluffy and a vibrant green. It has a better texture too!
What Should You Serve Kale With?
Kale is such a simple recipe, but it makes for a great side dish. This particular recipe goes well with dishes like chicken, pork, and pasta really well.
This recipe simply has garlic, chicken bouillon, and red pepper flakes, but you can dress it up afterward with bacon, parmesan, or any number of ingredients.
Kale on its own can be a bit bitter, though some people will serve it as a salad with various ingredients – such as cranberries and walnuts and an easy vinaigrette. It can also be delicious when served in soups, such as Zuppa Toscana.
How to Prepare a Head of Kale
If you aren’t working with a bag or box of prepared kale but purchased a head, it isn’t hard at all to prepare it:
- Simply take one leaf, fold it in half at the stem, and tear the thick part of the stem, called the rib, out.
- About half of the stem will tear off from the leaf.
- Discard the spine, and do a rough shred of the kale with your hands or a knife.
- Rinse the kale very carefully. Kale grows in sandy soil, and if you don’t get the sand out, your dish will be gritty and unappetizing.
Cooking Kale in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 16 oz pre-washed bag of kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- Dash red pepper flakes or black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth or bouillon
Supplies
- Instant Pot
- Colander or Bowl
Instructions
- Sort the kale in a large colander or bowl. You don’t need to wash the kale thoroughly, you’re mostly picking out the thick stems and any pieces that don’t look fresh.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute Low, add the olive oil and the garlic.
- Toss the kale into the pot as you sort it. Saute for one to two minutes, just enough to shrink the kale to fit into the pot and give it a little extra flavor.
- Add the liquid and pepper, seal the lid and set the pot to pressure cook for 4-6 minutes. If you like kale al dente, cook it for four minutes. If you like it very tender, cook it longer. I like mine soft, at the expense of a little color and volume.
- Once it’s done, do a quick release to stop the veggie from overcooking as the pressure drops.
- If you want, now is the time to add a little more salt and pepper, vinegar, lemon juice, bacon, or even some grated Parmesan cheese.
Instant Pot Kale Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz pre-washed bag of kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- Dash red pepper flakes or black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth or bouillon
Instructions
- Sort the kale in a large colander or bowl. You don’t need to wash the kale thoroughly, you’re mostly picking out the thick stems and any pieces that don’t look fresh.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute Low, add the olive oil and the garlic.
- Toss the kale into the pot as you sort it. Saute for one to two minutes, just enough to shrink the kale to fit into the pot and give it a little extra flavor.
- Add the liquid and pepper, seal the lid and set the pot to pressure cook for 4-6 minutes. If you like kale al dente, cook it for four minutes. If you like it very tender, cook it longer. I like mine soft, at the expense of a little color and volume.
- Once it’s done, do a quick release to stop the veggie from overcooking as the pressure drops.
- If you want, now is the time to add a little more salt and pepper, vinegar, lemon juice, bacon, or even some grated Parmesan cheese.
How much Kale can I put in my Instant Pot?
Your kale will probably come close to the top of the pot.
That’s okay because kale collapses quickly and has a low moisture content, so you’re not at risk of any pressure issues.
This recipe is for a 16 ounce bag of pre-washed raw kale. Some bags are 10 ounces, so make sure you know what size you’re dealing with. The recipe should work either way.
Are Kale Stalks Edible?
While most people tend to eat just the leaves, the stems are edible. If you enjoy an extra crunch, it can be nice to keep them in.
They do have a lot of fiber, though, so if you don’t typically have a diet rich in fiber, it may be something you work up to.
Why is Kale Good For You?
Kale is often considered a superfood, becuase it’s full of all sorts of nutrients. It contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins C and K. All of these are essential parts of a healthy diet and have numerous health benefits.
The most notable benefits of Kale are the fiber and antioxidants.
Other Instant Pot Side Dishes:
- Instant Pot Acorn Squash
- Instant Pot Creamy Broccoli Rice
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot Rice
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
This easy Instant Pot Kale recipe is a great side dish that the whole family can enjoy. You can also feel good knowing that it has so many health benefits! Eat it as recommended or add a few more toppings to dress it up. Either way, this is a quick, easy way to cook kale that everyone will love!
The Dutch way to eat kale is cooked together with potatoes and then mashed together. You can sauté an onion first in the instapot, maybe even ad some bacon, and then ad twice as much potatoes as the kale you’re using. Ad water or broth up to 2/3 level of the potatoes. When using water add some salt. Then a handfull of quickoats. Then the kale ( could also be blendered into smaller pieces while still raw) Do not stir! Close the pan and pressure cook for 10 minutes. Do a quick release. Check if there is not to much liquid in the pot, otherwise drain it and keep some to add later after mashing. Mash it. It should be a little soggy. Add salt/pepper to taste. Eat with smoked sausage, ham or beefroast and gravy.
Thanks for sharing!!
I had a bag of kale waiting to be prepared and needed a fast recipe/cook option. I am so glad I bought a new larger pressure cooker and found your recipe. Easy, fast and sooo delicious/ nutritious.
I added half a minced shallot and sliced button mushrooms and a splash or two of Braggs Aminos.
Happy, healthy holidays!
So glad you enjoyed it!