Hate kale? Good. Because this is THE recipe of all kale recipes to turn hatred to pure love. I however, love kale. So when I created this lemon butter sautéed kale with garlic recipe, it only strengthened my deep affliction for this leafy green, and I’m seriously contemplating marrying it (after I break the news to my husband that I’m leaving him for kale)….
He probably wouldn’t even be surprised if I came home one day and said, “I love you, but I love kale more. And we’ve decided to make a life together”. There’s so many pros and cons to marrying kale, it would be a really tough call.
Pros: super duper duper healthy, a good source of iron, vitamin B6, fiber, and calcium, it does what I want it to and doesn’t talk back
Cons: not very conversational, can be bitter (when consumed raw), inability to give massages, unattractive, unemployed, short future potential
Ok maybe I’ll take my husband over kale, but it’s seriously a close call.
I have this “thing” – I love making a big batch of sautéed kale at the beginning of the week so I can simply reheat and serve with ANYTHING – eggs in the morning, a side dish with grilled chicken, or as a warm salad in the fall. However, kale can be…well, kale – kind of bleh. So in order to convert those kale haters to love kale once and for all, I’ve pumped up the flavor and added some awesome components to make this leafy green a favorite, forever.
This lemon butter sautéed kale with garlic is ridiculously easy to make, plus it’s paleo and whole30 compliant! Just a few simple ingredients transforms boring ‘ol kale into a warm and savory side dish.
Follow my lead and make a big batch of this for some body-good food that you might want to end up marrying.
Looking for more whole30 recipes to try? Check out these out:
Thai Shrimp Salad with Almond Dressing
Whole30 Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Herby 30-minute Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Bake
Turmeric Balsamic Beef over Roasted Red Peppers
Caramelized Onion and Butternut Squash Crustless Quiche
Whole30 Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Parsnip Leek and Butternut Squash Soup
Lemon Butter Sautéed Kale with Garlic
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6 cups packed kale, chopped
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1–2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Instructions
- Wash and pat try the kale, then tear the leaves off the stem and shred into small, bite-sized pieces
- Heat ghee in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the kale. Coat evenly
- Add the lemon juice and garlic
- Continue tossing the kale until slightly wilted, roughly 5 minutes
- Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate to store
KALE!!!! I love it anyway, but yea, the best way to get a “hater” is all in the preparation (i.e. massaging and making it softer! Plus adding acidity like lemon!)
Spot on! Yes I forgot about the massaging part. I wish I was kale, I’d love a good rub down with my tense shoulders!
What is ghee?
Clarified butter. Paleo and Whole30 compliant!
Sounds delicious! I bet the lemon/garlic flavor really balances everything out! Yum!
It totally does. That’s why I am sure kale haters could learn to love this recipe! Thanks Cara.
Yummm I love lemon and garlic flavors!! So yummy.
You have good taste my dear!
Love kale and I’m
Always looking for new ways to eat it
Glad you found this gem Abby! You’ll love it.
New kale recipe loving this. Adding to recipe box.
Glad you found this gem Abby! You’ll love it.
This combination of flavors sounds so yummy!!
THEY ARE! Totally makes the kale delish!
Yum!!!!! I’m not a veggie person but this looks soooo good. I cannot wait to go home and try this. Look simple and quick. Thank you for posting. Perfect timing since in trying to modify my diet.
Simple and quick is what I NEED as a mom of two little boys! Plus it has to be tasty of course. Hope you loved it!
i need to try this! I loveee kale as well, but have never thought to prep a whole bunch at the start of the week and just add it to meals. so simple i love it 🙂
Girlfriend, prep that kale for the week. It will change your life!
I’ve been striving to eat better lately & kale has been one thing I’ve been implementing more into my diet. This sounds like a delicious recipe – thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome Lana. Kale is such a powerhouse food – I try to eat it at least a few times a week!
LOL on the kale jokes! love me some kale and this is so easy to make it. Pinned!
Thanks for the pin love! Kale jokes never get old 😉
I have a bunch of kale that needs to be used. I’m making this today!
Well there ya go! Perfect timing!
I’ve never tried sauteeing kale, but I have a big bundle of it in my garden ready to eat so I’m totally trying this tonight!! I’m not sure what ghee is- some alternative to butter/oil I’m assuming? Can I use butter or oil for this or is ghee a must have?
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Sorry for the late response! You can absolutely make this with butter – ghee is just clarified butter. Which is paleo compliant and easier for those with dairy sensitivities to handle. I hope you love/loved this Chelsea!
“I love you, but I love kale more”, haha too funny! But this looks delicious, simple yet flavorful, my kind of recipe!
It really is! And I really really do love kale 😉
I have a bunch of kale sitting in my fridge that I have been contemplating what to do with. Now I think I know 🙂
This recipe came at a perfect time for you Kayla! So glad! Enjoy my friend.
A new way to eat kale is always good, and I am 100% for any sort of lemon buttery thing.
It’s nice when kale packs some amazing flavor. It can be so blah at times. Thanks Emily!
I just got a big bag of kale from our CSA! I know what I’m making with it…YUM!!! 🙂
I LOVE CSA boxes! I hope you give this a whirl with all that nummy, organic kale!
Love how easy and delicious this looks! I’m all about those easy recipes. Plus I have a giant bag of kale I need to use up!
Rock on! Get that kale cookin’! You’ll love this Emily!
I love kale and I do like it sauteed but I always forget to do that! I’m definitely going to make this soon!
I hope you do! You’ll love it Liz!
I’ve been loving kale cooked like this lately! Super healthy and simple yet delicious!
Totally agree. It’s one of those side dishes I make often because it’s so easy and healthy!
I LOVE garlicky kale – so good! I love to make garlic kale chips or sauteed 🙂
Fellow kale-lover. I like you Kerri!
Oh kale yeah, you can’t go wrong with this one! We make garlicky kale a lot but I don’t usually add lemon unless I’m making it into a salad (or not cooking it), can’t wait to try this!! Pinned for later!
I love adding lemon because it really cuts any bitterness from the kale. Thanks for the pin love Sarah!
I’m so curious about ghee…saw it at the grocery store this weekend. Might have to try it because this sounds delicious!
Yes you definitely should! It has such a rich flavor – I prefer it over butter!
I love kale, it my favourite. I need to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
http://xoxobella.com
I’m definitely giving this recipe a try. I love Kale (and garlic) so this will definitely be a hit. Thanks!
I hope you do Liz! Thanks for stopping by.
Not a huge kale fan but when I do eat it it’s always sautéed, I think that makes so much difference with how it ends up tasting! This recipe looks great!
SERIOUSLY! I can’t eat kale raw (if I DO it’s in very small pieces mixed in with with other lettuce varieties). Makes a HUGE difference when it’s sautéed.
Delicious and healthy! I’ve been trying to find better ways to use kale.
★★★★★
Glad you found this recipe Tessa! Enjoy!
Yum!! I love kale every once in a while to mix things up–lemon and garlic is delicious on anything!
It’s a good combo – pinky promise! Thanks Heather.
I’m always looking for new ways to make Kale. I make Kale chips, and my husband loves them. The kids like them OK, but this sounds super yummy. I love that you can make a big batch, and then eat throughout the week. Perfect!
My husband loves kale chips too – which is SO not like him (pop tart and oreo lover). Maybe your hubs will even love this recipe too! Fingers crossed.
Oh I do love me some kale. This recipe looks so light and refreshing too! Can’t wait to try this!
You’ll love it if kale is already your friend Mikki!
Chrissa this looks awesome. I also love Kale so you’re PROBABLY gonna have to fight me for it… but it’s cool we can share
side note: Kale? Baby Name? KALEB? anyway…
You mention you store this all week after making a big batch (genius!) Would you say 5 day shelf life in the fridge? At what point does it get a little mucky?
xxox
Laura @ http://www.cookwineandthinker.com
Kaleb is a super cute name! My hubby and I had the hardest time picking a boy name for our newest little one. SO HARD! Yes I would say 5-day shelf life is probably perfect. We can fight over kale but I might win. I’m scrappy! 😉
I need to step up my ghee game. This looks like a simple and delicious way to do it!
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Ghee game – we should all be participants 😉 Super simple and really tasty. Thanks Rachel!
Looks delicious Chrissa. Sautéing is one of my favorite ways to cook kale.
It’s one of the only ways I can eat it! And in kale chip form too of course. Thanks Jill!
Oh my goodness, that looks healthy and tasty!
I made this recipe tonight for my veggie hating husband. I had it in my head that it had 3 tbsp of lemon (idk why 🤷🏽♀️), needless to say, it was very tart BUT still delicious. He actually approved! Thanks for the recipe.
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Glad it wasn’t a total flop and the hubby actually approved!! WHOOP WHOOP!