Garlicky kale

Kale wilted in olive oil with plenty of garlic, a little chili and lemon. Serves 2.

  • Lazy AF
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Mediterranean
  • Side
  • Vegetables
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • One pan
  • Superfood
Hands-on
14 min
Total time
17 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 8 min
  • Cook 6 min
  • Clean up 3 min
Pans
1
Ingredients
6
Cost/serving
$1.56

Per serving

Calories
104
Protein
3.2 g
Fiber
4.3 g
Net carbs
2.2 g
Fat
8.3 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Vitamin K 329%, Vitamin C 109%, Vitamin A 27%, Riboflavin (B2) 27%, Calcium 20%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 2

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 1 bunch kale (200 g)

    Same amount as: about 9½ cups.

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (14 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL.

  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed (9 g)

    Same amount as: 3 tsp fresh minced garlic, 1½ tsp jarred minced garlic, ⅜ tsp garlic powder.

  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (0.3 g)
  • 2 tbsp water (30 g)

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (15 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL, ¼ lemon squeezed from fresh lemons.

  • salt, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings. Two bunches fill a 30 cm pan. Add the second one a handful at a time as the first wilts.

Nutrition Facts

2 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (134 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories104
Total fat8.3 g11%
Saturated fat1.1 g6%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium209 mg9%
Total carbohydrate6.5 g2%
Dietary fiber4.3 g15%
Total sugars1.2 g
Net carbs†2.2 g
Protein3.2 g6%
Vitamin D0 mcg0%
Calcium263 mg20%
Iron1.7 mg10%
Potassium377 mg8%
Vitamin A244 mcg27%
Vitamin C98 mg109%
Vitamin E1.7 mg11%
Vitamin K394 mcg329%
Thiamin (B1)0.12 mg10%
Riboflavin (B2)0.35 mg27%
Niacin (B3)1.2 mg8%
Vitamin B60.21 mg12%
Folate64 mcg16%
Vitamin B120 mcg0%
Magnesium35 mg8%
Zinc0.45 mg4%
Selenium1.6 mcg3%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Pull the leaves off the thick stems and throw the stems away. Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Wash and shake dry.

  2. Slice the garlic thin.

  3. Heat the oil in the pan on medium for 1 minute. Add the garlic and pepper flakes. Stir for 30 seconds.

    Done looks like: Garlic smells strong and is starting to turn pale gold.
  4. Add the kale and the water. Turn it with the spatula for 4–5 minutes.

    Done looks like: Dark green, soft and shiny. Water gone.
  5. Turn off the heat. Add the lemon juice and salt.

Equipment

Large frying pan or skillet, 30 cm (12 in) $25–60

What to look for

  • Wide flat base so food cooks in one layer
  • Stainless steel or cast iron for high heat

Skip: Woks on flat electric stoves; they do not heat evenly there.

Silicone spatula $5–12

What to look for

  • One-piece (no seam where the head meets the handle)
  • Stiff enough to scrape, safe on non-stick

Skip: Wooden spatulas for non-stick pans; they work but do not scrape as cleanly.

Chef's knife, 20 cm (8 in) $15–50

What to look for

  • Comfortable handle that does not slip when wet
  • Blade you can sharpen, or a cheap one you replace every few years

Skip: Knife blocks with 12 knives. A chef's knife and a small paring knife cover almost everything.

Cutting board $10–30

What to look for

  • At least 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 in), so food stays on it
  • Wood or plastic; plastic goes in the dishwasher

Skip: Glass or stone boards. They dull knives fast.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Tough, chewy leavesStems left in, or not cooked long enough.Strip out every stem, and cook until the leaves are soft.
Bitter, brown garlicGarlic cooked too long before the kale went in.Have the kale ready next to the pan and add it after 30 seconds.

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.