Healthy Eating 101 Healthy Cooking How-Tos How to Cut Kale Learn how to prep kale for use in salads, side dishes and more. By Lisa Kingsley and Alex Loh Alex Loh Alex Loh is EatingWell's associate food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 15, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Helen Norman Whether you're growing it in your backyard or picking up a bunch from the grocery store, kale is known for its curly, and oftentimes unruly, leaves. While those leaves are great for using in a wide array of recipes, from Kale Salad with Cranberries to Creamed Kale, prepping kale for cooking may seem tricky. To help, we put together this guide with step-by-step photos, so you can learn how to cut kale like a pro. 5 Reasons to Love Dark Leafy Greens How to Cut Kale 1. Wash kale in cool water to remove sand and grit. Karla Conrad 2. Slice along each side of the stem or hold onto it and pull off the leaves. Karla Conrad 3. Chop or tear leaves to desired size. Karla Conrad Once your kale is chopped, recipes like Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas and Spicy Potato & Kale Soup are just the beginning of what you can make and enjoy. Next up: Learn how to cook kale the right way. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit