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How to Microwave Kale

Perfectly cooked kale made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing tender and flavorful greens. This method ensures evenly cooked kale, ideal for a nutritious side dish or adding to various recipes.
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Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

3 mins

Free Time

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How to Microwave Kale

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Cooking kale in the microwave is a simple and quick way to bring out its vibrant color and keep all those good nutrients inside the leaves. The microwave creates gentle steam within the Anyday dish, which makes the kale tender in no time, perfect for when you're in a bit of a rush or aiming for something a bit healthier. This approach helps lock in the flavors, making sure your kale comes out tasty and nutritious, ready to be enjoyed by itself or as part of a meal.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Pairs well with

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

3 cups kale
  • 3 cups kale
  • 6 cups kale
  • 9 cups kale
  • 12 cups kale
  • 16 cups of kale
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
  • 700w
  • 800w
  • 900w
  • 1000w
  • 1100w
  • 1200w

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Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (60g) kale, stems removed and sliced
  • 3 tablespoons of water

Preparation

  1. Place the sliced kale in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water.
  2. After straining, cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, or until the greens are tender but not overcooked.

Suggestions

  • Parmesan and black pepper: Toss the cooked kale with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper for a simple, savory side.
  • Balsamic and garlic: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with garlic powder for a quick, flavorful side dish.
  • Beans and greens: Mix cooked kale with canned cannellini beans for a nutrient-dense, hearty dish.
  • Veggie pasta sauce: Blend the steamed kale with Béchamel Sauce to create a creamy, veggie-packed sauce perfect for pasta.

Recipe Notes

  • Add some olive oil, butter, or brown butter to cook the kale for extra flavor.
  • Kale stems will take much longer to cook compared to the leaves. Be sure to remove the stem from the kale leaves prior to cooking.
  • Check out cooking directions for Frozen Kale here!
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Kale

See for yourself— microwaving kale is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 3-4 mins
Stovetop* 20-25 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 20-25 mins
*Includes preheat time
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All You Need to Know About Microwaving Kale

How long does take to cook kale in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Cook Time
3 cups of kale 3 tablespoons water 3 mins
6 cups of kale 1/4 cup water 4-5 mins
9 cups of kale 1/4 cup water 5-6 mins
12 cups of kale 1/4 cup water 6-7 mins
16 cups of kale 1/4 cup water 8-9 min
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It typically takes around 2-3 minutes for 3 cups of raw of kale to cook in the microwave. Kale should be shiny, vibrant green, and tender but have a slight bite.

Can you microwave any type of kale?

Whether it's Tuscan, Dino, curly, or red, steaming kale in the microwave with Anyday cookware is the way to go. The cooking times provided in this recipe will work just fine for all varieties. If you prefer the kale a bit more tender, just add 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time.  You can even cook frozen kale! Check out cooking directions for Frozen Kale here.

How to tell when the kale is ready?

To tell when kale is ready, look for glossy, tender deep green color leaves. You can also test it by biting into a small piece, it should be tender but not mushy with a slight bite.

How to microwave frozen kale?

Yes, if you're using frozen kale, there's no need to thaw it first. Just add the desired amount of still-frozen kale to the Anyday cookware and follow the directions provided.

How to freeze microwaved kale?

To freeze microwaved kale, first cook the kale in the microwave, then transfer it to the 1/2 Cup Anyday Freezer Trays and freeze for up to 3 months.

Is it safe to steam kale in the microwave?

Indeed, it is! Steaming kale in the microwave is a fantastic way to retain essential nutrients like calcium. The good news is that it's pretty straightforward – just chop it up, toss it into an Anyday, and steam it like a pro in minutes without any extra work.

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