If youāve ever bought a bunch of kale only to find it wilted or slimy a few days later, youāre not alone. Kale is incredibly nutritious but it can go bad quickly if itās not stored properly.The good news? With the right washing and storage method, you can keep kale fresh for weeks, not days. This blog has step-by-step directions to explain exactly how to clean, dry, and store kale to reduce waste and save money on groceries. Thereās also a video at the bottom of this blog if you prefer to learn by watching.
How to Wash Kale
Kale (like all leafy greens) can carry dirt, bacteria, and even mold spores. Washing it correctly doesnāt just clean it, it actually extends its shelf life significantly.
I use a vinegar wash because vinegar kills off harmful bacteria like E. coli and listeria as well as mold spores. Below is how to wash kale.
Instructions:
- Fill a large bowl with 10 cups of water and add Ā¼ cup 5% distilled white vinegar
- Submerge the kale completely
Let it soak for 2 minutes - Set a timer, donāt over-soak
- Rinse the kale under cool running water
- Gently move the leaves around to remove any remaining debris
Tips for Drying Produce
Drying is one of the most important steps of washing produce. Storing wet kale (or other items) causes them to spoil faster even if you washed them correctly. One way to speed up the drying process with kale and other greens is to use a salad spinner. This helps to speed up the drying process so that you can put it away sooner. I do this for kale and all types of lettuce.
After using a salad spinner, I lay the kale out on a towel to dry. I use a large organic cotton beach towel so that I can dry all of my produce at the same time. When you lay them down, put the stem side up so that the water drains off the leaves. They should look like houses, not boats where the water will collect in the leaves. You should allow 2ā3 hours for full drying before putting it away.Ā
Ā When it comes to berries and other fruits, I have tips on reducing condensation in this video.Ā
How to Store Kale in the Fridge
How you store kale depends on how you plan to use it. If you want to keep it fresh for salads it should be stored in the fridge. I remove it from the stem and cut it into smaller pieces before I put it away. I recommend using a large glass container. This one will hold an entire bunch of kale and it is the same one that I use for lettuce. You can also use a silicone bag such as a Stasher Bag. When washed and stored correctly, kale should last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you donāt plan on using kale right away, it can be put in the freezer. Before putting it away, make sure that it has been washed and is completely dry. In the freezer it should be stored in a freezer safe bag and it will be fresh for several months. You can also move kale from the fridge to the freezer after a couple of weeks if you find that you arenāt eating it as quickly as you might have thought. This is an important step to reducing food waste.
Zero Waste Produce Guide
If you are looking for information on how you should wash and store produce besides kale, be sure to check out my Zero Waste Produce Guide. It contains information for washing and storing 75 produce items. The book also has over 40 recipes for how to use your produce. It is available inĀ The Cross Legacy ShopĀ as well as onĀ Amazon.
Easy Ways to Use Kale
If youāre looking for recipes with kale, one of the most popular recipes that I use it in is my Zuppa Toscana. It can also be used in grain bowls such as this farro grain bowl.
Keep Kale Fresh Longer and Waste Less
Learning how to properly wash and store kale is a simple habit that can make a big difference in your grocery budget. By following these steps you will have kale that lasts longer, is ready to go when you want to use it for a recipe, and you save money on groceries by reducing food waste.
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