If you don’t love kale, let me encourage you to give this leafy green another chance! Here are a few reasons why you may not be loving that kale salad.

Lacinato kale leaves
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I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say “I really want to like kale, but I just don’t like the taste/texture/flavor.” And I get it. Kale might be trendy but it isn’t something that you’ll love at first bite… if it’s not prepared correctly. So I thought I’d share the common mistakes people make when preparing kale that might cause you to think you don’t like it.

Chopped kale on a cutting board

You’re not removing the kale stems

Kale stems are extremely bitter and very hard to chew. If you just chop up your kale without removing the stems, you’ll find yourself chewing and chewing and wondering why you decided to eat a tree for dinner. Do yourself a favor and de-stem the kale. You can either fold the leaves in half and slice the stem off or you can just tear the leaves right off the stem.

lacinato

You’re not massaging the kale

Kale is a tough green and it needs a little massaging to make it tender. If you’re wondering “why is kale so hard to chew?” it’s because it’s a very tough green. It really needs to be massaged to make it easier to chew. After you’ve washed your kale, you want to literally massage it with your hands. I typically massage the dressing right in. My easiest combination is just lemon juice, olive oil, salt + pepper. You can pour the lemon juice and olive oil on top and then work it in with your fingers. You want to soften the kale just a bit. All you need is a minute or two of working the kale in your hands, then you’re ready to go!

kale salad with white balsamic vinegar

You’re trying too many unfamiliar things at once

When I’m trying a new food (or trying to get someone else to try a new food) it usually helps to pair it with something familiar. You’ve probably seen kale caesar salads popping up everywhere and while it might not be the healthiest option (let’s be real, it’s creamy dressing, croutons, and cheese) it can be a good way to get used to the texture and taste of kale. Once you’ve found a familiar way to enjoy it, you might be more adventurous the next time!

Lacinato kale salad in a bowl with shredded cheese

You’re not using the right dressing

Kale is a very bitter green and it needs something to help soften it a bit. An acidic dressing will help break down the fiber in the kale which will make it easier to chew. As I mentioned before, I love using lemon juice and olive oil but it’s also great with white balsamic or apple cider vinegar.

Kale Recipes to Try