Introducing my Garlic Kale Stir Fry recipe, a lightning-fast and nutritious option for a flavorful vegetable side dish. With just 4 minutes of prep and cook time, this dish seamlessly blends sautéed garlic with fresh kale, enhanced by toasted sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Elevate your meal with this easy-to-make and deliciously healthy kale stir fry!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
As a lover of easy and healthy vegetable sides that complement Asian-inspired meals, I love my Garlic Kale Stir Fry! This dish, similar to my beloved Baby Bok Choy and Stir Fry Bean Sprouts recipes, requires only six ingredients and a mere 4 minutes to prepare, making it a convenient choice for any dinner spread!
Utilizing my perfected vegetable stir fry technique from dishes like my Garlic Spinach Stir Fry and Stir Fry Green Beans, this kale stir fry boasts tender, flavorful greens with a delightful hint of white pepper and a base of toasted sesame oil. Perfect for anyone seeking a quick and nutritious addition to their meal, this vegetable stir fry will be your next go-to recipe!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Kale – fresh kale leaves, de-ribbed/de-stemmed.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Garlic – freshly sliced garlic cloves.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- White Pepper – ground White Pepper in a bottle.
- Toasted Sesame Oil – 100% Toasted Sesame Oil that should have a dark brown color.
🥬 Kale Note
For even quicker preparation, opt for Pre-De-Ribbed and Chopped Kale Leaves, ready to use in bite-sized pieces.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
For optimal stir-frying, go with a roomy Wok or Deep Skillet to ensure all ingredients have sufficient space to cook effectively.
Step 1 Start by preparing the kale, ensuring you remove the tough ‘ribs’ or ‘stems’, retaining only the tender leaves.
Step 2 In a wok or large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced garlic and let it sizzle for 20-30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the kale and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired texture.
🍳 Stir Frying Pro Tip
Keep the kale moving in the pan by Stirring Constantly. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
🧂 Restaurant Flavoring Pro Tip
If you want that restaurant-style flavor, consider adding a light sprinkle of MSG to enhance the flavor.
Step 3 Finish by seasoning with salt and white pepper, drizzling with toasted sesame oil, ensuring even coating, then serve immediately.
Pairing Recommendations
Elevate your meal by serving this Garlic Kale Stir Fry alongside Chinese-inspired mains like Black Pepper Chicken or Sweet Chili Chicken along side my Garlic String Beans dish! Complete the experience with a comforting bowl of Chinese Shrimp Egg Drop Soup for a balanced and satisfying meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of oil is best for stir-frying kale?
For stir-frying, it's best to use a neutral-tasting and high-temperature oil. Options like safflower oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil are all suitable choices. These oils have a high smoke point and won't impart strong flavors to the dish, allowing the natural taste of the kale to shine through.
How long should I stir-fry the kale to achieve the perfect texture?
Aim for a total stir-fry time of around 2-3 minutes, ensuring the pan isn't overcrowded. Cooking for longer than this can lead to overcooked and soggy kale, so keeping it brief will result in tender yet crisp greens.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. The leftovers will maintain their freshness and flavor for up to 5-7 days in the fridge.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Japanese Miso Eggplant Stir Fry
- Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
- Asian Steamed Vegetables With Sesame Sauce
- Brussels Sprout Stir Fry
Watch How To Make It
Garlic Kale Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Kale Leaves chopped
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral, no flavor or taste
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp White Pepper
- 2 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Wash, dry, remove ribs (stem) and cut kale into bite size pieces (about 1/2 inch slices).
- Finely slice garlic as shown below.
- In a deep frying pan or wok, add high temp neutral cooking oil and sliced garlic on high heat. Once the garlic becomes fragrant, about 20-30 seconds, add in chopped kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until kale is softened while continuously mixing/stirring.
- Once the kale is softened, add in salt, white pepper and toasted sesame oil. Mix well and transfer to a serving plate.
Nutrition
Good recipe, but…please don’t recommend a teflon pan. Do it in anything that isn’t coated in plastic, which is both more of a pain for home cooks long term, but also damaging to our environment. (teflon is horrible stuff)
Hi Kara – ok, good to know!
I just cooked today. It was delicious, almost like restaurant’s. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
So glad you liked the recipe Kana (that’s actually my sister’s name too!).
This tasted like edimame. Really yummy!
Glad you liked it!