Tired of kale that’s either tough and chewy or cooked into a mushy mess? The Instant Pot is your secret weapon! This recipe transforms a big bunch of healthy kale into a perfectly tender, vibrant green side dish infused with bright lemon and savory garlic. It’s the fastest, most foolproof way to get your greens on the table, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp. (15 ml) olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly slivered
• 1 pound (about 450g) fresh kale, tough stems removed and chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp. (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Once the pot is hot, add the olive oil and slivered garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Add the chopped kale to the pot, stirring for 1-2 minutes until it just begins to wilt.
4. Press “Cancel” to turn off the Sauté mode. Pour in the water and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Secure the lid and set the pressure valve to the “Sealing” position.
6. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the timer to 5 minutes at High Pressure.
7. When the timer finishes, carefully perform a Quick Release by moving the pressure valve to the “Venting” position.
8. Once the float valve drops, safely remove the lid. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
9. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Per Serving
• Calories: 90
• Total Fat: 12.7g
• Net Carbs: 3.17g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Fiber: 0.1g
Pro Tips
• For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
• Swap the water for vegetable or chicken broth to infuse the kale with a deeper, more savory flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot. If using a very large bunch of kale, you may need to add it in two batches during the sauté step, allowing the first batch to wilt down before adding the rest.
• Finish the dish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or a dash of nutritional yeast for a cheesy, umami boost.
FAQ
Q: How long do you pressure cook kale
A: For perfectly tender kale, set your Instant Pot or pressure cooker to High Pressure for 5 minutes. Follow this with a Quick Release to prevent it from overcooking and becoming mushy.
Q: Can I use frozen kale in the Instant Pot
A: Yes, you can use frozen kale. You can skip the initial wilting step and add the frozen kale directly to the pot with the sautéed garlic and liquid before pressure cooking for the same amount of time.
Q: How do you make kale less bitter
A: This recipe balances kale’s natural bitterness by infusing it with savory garlic and finishing it with bright, fresh lemon juice. Removing the tough stems before cooking also helps significantly.
Q: What can I add to kale for more flavor
A: To enhance the flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a spicy kick, swapping the water for vegetable or chicken broth, or finishing the dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
