Velvety Creamed Kale

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly simple and utterly delicious creamed kale recipe. Perfect as a show-stopping holiday side, a luxurious accompaniment to your favorite steakhouse meal, or a comforting weeknight treat, this dish transforms healthy kale into an irresistibly creamy delight. Packed with nutritious kale, rich cream cheese, and a generous sprinkle of savory Parmesan, it’s a side dish that promises to steal the spotlight.

Why Creamed Kale is Your New Favorite Side Dish

When it comes to pairing with a perfectly seared Pan-Fried Ribeye or a succulent roasted turkey, many people immediately think of creamed spinach. While a classic, I’m here to make a bold claim: creamed kale is, in my humble opinion, the superior choice. Its slightly firmer texture and subtly earthy flavor hold up beautifully against the creamy sauce, offering a more satisfying bite and a richer taste profile than its spinach counterpart.

This easy creamed kale recipe simplifies the process by utilizing frozen chopped kale. The magic lies in a quick thawing, draining, and squeezing out of excess water – a method I frequently employ for other creamy vegetable dishes like my Baked Spinach Bacon Dip. This technique ensures a perfectly textured kale base, free from sogginess, ready to soak up all the delicious creaminess.

The heart of this dish’s velvety texture and rich flavor comes from a luscious blend of cream cheese and heavy cream. This combination not only delivers an unparalleled creamy outcome but also infuses the kale with that irresistible, tangy cream cheese goodness that everyone adores. Prepare for this creamed kale to become the absolute SUPERSTAR of your next meal.

This cherished recipe has been thoughtfully updated from its original 2014 version. Why the refresh? Frozen chopped kale packages have evolved over the years, decreasing from an 18-ounce standard to a more common 12-ounce size today. I meticulously reworked the ingredient ratios to ensure this dish remains as delectably creamy and flavorful as ever, even with modern packaging adjustments.

For those who prefer to work with fresh produce, fear not! I’ve included detailed instructions further down this page on how to prepare fresh kale for this recipe, ensuring you achieve the same fantastic results. Whether frozen or fresh, this creamed kale is designed for culinary success.

Essential Ingredients for Creamed Kale Perfection

Crafting this savory creamed kale requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in developing its rich flavor and decadent texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Olive oil: The base for sautéing our aromatics, adding a subtle richness.
• Yellow onion: Diced finely, it provides a sweet and savory aromatic foundation.
• Garlic: Minced or grated, for that essential pungent depth of flavor.
• Cream cheese: The secret to an incredibly thick, smooth, and tangy cream sauce. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy melting.
• Frozen chopped kale: The convenient star of the dish. Make sure it’s lightly steamed, thoroughly drained, and squeezed dry to prevent a watery result.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, umami kick and contributes to the overall creamy texture.
• Heavy cream: For luxurious richness and an ultra-creamy consistency.
• Spices: A simple blend of kosher salt, ground black pepper, and a touch of ground nutmeg to enhance all the flavors without overpowering the kale. Nutmeg is especially lovely with cream and greens.

These ingredients come together beautifully to create a side dish that’s both elegant and comforting, proving that healthy greens can be incredibly indulgent.

Mastering the Art of Creamed Kale: A Simple Guide

Creamed vegetables are undeniably one of my ultimate favorites. While they might not be the leanest way to enjoy your greens, the sheer deliciousness makes them entirely worth it! This creamed kale recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating your olive oil in a spacious 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté gently until the onions are translucent and fragrant, and the garlic is soft, taking care not to burn it. This step builds the foundational flavors of your dish.
2. Melt the Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat slightly if needed, then add the room temperature cream cheese to the skillet. Use a silicone spatula to break it apart and stir continuously until it has completely melted into a smooth, creamy sauce. Keep the heat moderate to prevent scorching.
3. Combine Main Ingredients: Incorporate the prepared kale (remember, thoroughly drained and squeezed dry!), grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg into the skillet.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Gently stir all the ingredients together until everything is thoroughly combined and coated in the rich cream sauce. Continue to cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through, visibly thickened to your desired consistency, and wonderfully hot and creamy. Serve immediately to enjoy its peak flavor and texture.

Embracing Fresh Kale: A Step-by-Step Guide

While this recipe is wonderfully convenient with frozen kale, using fresh kale is absolutely an option! It does involve a few extra preparation steps, which is precisely why I initially developed this recipe with frozen kale in mind – all the initial prep work is already done for you. However, if you have fresh kale on hand and prefer to use it, here’s how to prepare it to ensure it integrates perfectly into your creamy dish:

• Select Your Kale: You can choose either curly kale or lacinato (also known as dinosaur kale). Lacinato kale is often preferred for its slightly softer texture, but curly kale works beautifully too. Ensure the leaves are vibrant and fresh.
• Wash and Destem Thoroughly: Begin by gently washing your kale under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Next, strip the leaves off the tough, fibrous stems. You can do this by holding the stem with one hand and running your other hand firmly along the stem to pull off the leaves. This process is quite similar to preparing greens like my Instant Pot Collard Greens.
• Chop the Kale: Once destemmed, gather the kale leaves and chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces. For this recipe, you’ll still need 12 ounces of kale. To accurately measure, I find it helpful to place a bowl on a kitchen scale and add chopped kale until I reach the desired weight.
• Drizzle and Massage for Tenderness: This is a crucial step for fresh kale! Drizzle a few teaspoons of olive oil over the chopped kale in your bowl. Now, gently massage the oil into the kale leaves with your hands for about 2-3 minutes. This process breaks down the tough fibers in the kale, making it significantly softer, more tender, and easier to digest. You’ll notice the kale become darker and more pliable.
• Proceed with the Recipe: After you have meticulously prepped and massaged your fresh kale, you can continue with the recipe as written, starting with the sautéing of onions and garlic. The massaged kale will cook down beautifully and absorb the creamy sauce just like its frozen counterpart.

Choosing fresh kale offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with your ingredients, and with these simple steps, you’ll achieve an equally delicious and satisfying creamed kale.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Creamed Kale

To ensure your creamed kale turns out perfectly creamy and flavorful every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Dry Kale is Key: Whether using frozen or fresh, thoroughly draining and squeezing out all excess water from your kale is critical. Watery kale will dilute your creamy sauce and result in a less desirable texture.
• Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Allow your cream cheese to soften at room temperature before adding it to the skillet. This helps it melt smoothly and evenly, preventing lumps in your sauce.
• Don’t Overcook: While kale can withstand cooking, once the creamy sauce is introduced, you only need to cook until it’s heated through and thickened. Overcooking can make the kale mushy and dull its vibrant color.
• Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. You might find you need a little more salt, pepper, or even a tiny pinch more nutmeg to suit your preference.
• Consistency Control: If your creamed kale seems too thick, you can thin it out with a splash more heavy cream or even a little milk. If it’s too thin, a quick simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, will help it thicken. Alternatively, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water, stir into the kale, and simmer for another minute until thickened.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan: While pre-grated Parmesan works, freshly grated cheese melts better and offers a superior flavor and texture to your dish.

Serving Suggestions for Your Creamed Kale

This versatile creamed kale pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses, elevating any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Here are some serving ideas:

• Steakhouse Classic: The most obvious and perhaps best pairing! Serve alongside a perfectly grilled or pan-seared steak, like a ribeye or filet mignon.
• Holiday Feasts: A fantastic addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinners. It’s a comforting green side that stands out among the usual offerings.
• Roast Chicken or Turkey: Its rich flavor complements poultry beautifully. Imagine it next to a juicy roasted chicken or a festive turkey dinner.
• Pork Chops: The creaminess balances the richness of pork chops, whether baked, fried, or grilled.
• Fish and Seafood: Surprisingly, creamed kale can also pair well with heartier fish like salmon or cod, adding a depth of flavor.
• Vegetarian Main: For a vegetarian meal, serve a generous portion of creamed kale alongside roasted potatoes, a grain like quinoa, or crusty bread.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Creamed kale is a dish that can be enjoyed as leftovers, though its texture is best when fresh.

• Storage: Allow the creamed kale to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat creamed kale gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or extra heavy cream to restore its creamy consistency, as it tends to thicken in the refrigerator. Stir frequently until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
• Freezing: Freezing creamed dishes can sometimes alter the texture, especially with cream cheese and heavy cream, which may separate upon thawing. While possible, it’s generally not recommended for optimal quality. If you do freeze, store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding liquid as needed to restore consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about making creamed kale:

Can I make creamed kale ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare creamed kale a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit more cream or milk if needed to loosen the sauce.

What kind of kale is best for this recipe?

Both curly kale and lacinato (dinosaur) kale work well. Lacinato is slightly more tender, but curly kale offers a nice textural contrast. Frozen chopped kale is the easiest option for convenience.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

You can, but it will result in a lighter, less rich sauce. If using milk, opt for whole milk for the best texture, and be mindful that the sauce may not thicken as much. You might need to add a small amount of cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) to achieve a thicker consistency.

How do I prevent my creamed kale from being watery?

The most important step is to thoroughly drain and squeeze out as much water as possible from the kale (whether frozen and thawed or fresh and blanched). Excess moisture is the primary culprit for a watery sauce.

What spices can I add for more flavor?

While the recipe uses a classic combination, you can experiment with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, a dash of onion powder, or even a tiny amount of white pepper for added depth without altering the color.

Nutritional Powerhouse: The Benefits of Kale

Even when dressed in a rich, creamy sauce, kale remains a nutritional powerhouse. This leafy green is packed with:

• Vitamins: An excellent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, all crucial for bone health, vision, and immune function, respectively.
• Minerals: Contains essential minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, and calcium, supporting various bodily functions from nerve signaling to bone density.
• Antioxidants: Loaded with potent antioxidants such as quercetin and kaempferol, which help combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Fiber: Provides dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and promoting gut health.

So, while you’re savoring the comforting flavors of this creamed kale, you can also feel good knowing you’re incorporating a dose of highly beneficial nutrients into your diet.

Explore More Delicious Kale Recipes

Sourdough Kale Bacon Sausage Stuffing

Italian Sausage Kale Pasta

Chopped Kale Caesar Salad

Sun-Dried Tomato and Kale Pasta