Say hello to your new favourite kale recipe – it’s time to think beyond a salad!!
There’s an enormous amount of kale hidden in amongst all that buttery, garlicky rice…. This is a terrific two-in-one side dish that will pair with almost anything and keeps for days!
A kale recipe that’s totally scoff-able
Kale is one of the nutritious plant foods in the world, and this Garlic Butter Kale Rice is a fantastic way to incorporate a LOT of kale into a dish that’s so tasty, even kale haters love it.
Really. This kale recipe is that good. Read some of the reviews from people who have tried it!
Actually, I hadn’t planned to share this recipe. I didn’t think it would be of interest to readers, but it turns out that it’s possible the most requested recipe ever! People spied this Garlic Butter Rice with Kale on the side of a Baked Chicken Breast that I shared a couple of months ago. I didn’t even mention it in the post, it was just leftovers I had in the fridge that I added to the plate just to take this photo:
That single photo triggered so many messages via email, on Facebook and Instagram I could hardly believe it!
But you spoke, and I listened. Here it is. 🙂
Little trick to make kale even tastier!
It’s a real easy recipe. The one little trick I have to make this even better is that I marinate the kale before stirring it through the rice.
Just a drizzle of olive oil and tiny sprinkle of salt followed by a 30 second massage not only softens the kale, but also adds flavour.
This is the same technique I use in my Kale and Quinoa Salad which is almost like the salad version of this kale recipe. Marinating the kale truly makes all the difference when using raw kale.
Serve this Kale Garlic Butter Rice as a side dish – it’s a great two-in one, being a carb plus greens. And it’s an excellent way to dramatically boost the amount of nutrition you take in – in a delicious way!
It will go with cuisines, even with Asian dishes! I’ve popped a few suggestions below.
– Nagi x
Try this Kale recipe with:
Any seared protein, such as Juicy Baked Chicken Breast, Honey Garlic Chicken, Baked Pork Chops, Lemon Garlic Marinated Pork Chops (Just to offer a few suggestions!)
Why kale is good for you
Kale has gained it’s status as a super food for good reason – it’s one of the most nutritious plant foods in the world. Here are just some of the health benefits of kale:
- exceptionally high amount of Vitamins A, C and K
- high in antioxidants
- help lower cholesterol which can reduce the risk of heart disease
- it has cancer fighting substances
- an excellent source of minerals that many people don’t get enough of, including calcium, potassium and magnesium
So this kale recipe is an excellent delicious way to get more nutrition into your diet!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Garlic Butter Rice with Kale
Ingredients
Marinated Kale:
- 7 cups kale sliced leaves , tightly packed (1cm / 2/5″ slices) (Note 1)
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Garlic Butter Rice:
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
- 3 – 4 large garlic cloves , minced
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (Note 2)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable)
Finishing:
- 1 – 2 tbsp (15 – 30g) butter
- 1/3 cup chopped almonds (or other nuts / seeds of choice)
Instructions
- Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle over oil, sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and pepper. Scrunch with hands for 30 seconds, set aside while rice cooks.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute until just starting to turn golden and is incredibly fragrant.
- Add rice, stir for 10 seconds.
- Add broth, stir, then cover.
- Turn heat down to medium or medium low so the liquid is simmering very gently. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed (tilt pot to check).
- Quickly toss all the kale on top of the rice, put the lid back on then remove from heat.
- Rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, stirring kale through.
- Lastly, stir through extra butter and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and sprinkle over nuts (or stir nuts through rice).
Recipe Notes:
LIFE OF DOZER
And the hits just keep on coming…..
This is the inflatable cone I got after I shared the photo of Dozer looking extremely unhappy with the plastic cone, thanks to the suggestion of readers. He is definitely more comfortable…… and providing much amusement to everyone who sees him!!!
That pattern…. why? Why??!!! 😂 It looks like a pool floatie!!
Made it so many times, in pan, rice cooker, and Instant pot, etc , it’s just super easy and yummy. Thank you for sharing!!
How do you cook this in an instapot? I’d love to make it in mine! 😊
Fantastic, what a beautiful side dish. Thank-you for sharing!
Wow. My new favorite side dish. I went for seconds and the entire pan was empty. My husband said “oh I thought you already had seconds. Did I eat the entire thing.” Uhhh yeah you did other than the measly spoonful I got! Thanks for the great recipe!
excelent! we enjoyed it on its own a a main dish:)
This was fantastic and so simple, thank you for providing. I used Walnuts and they complimented the rice and kale perfectly.
Sounds great Sarah! N x
This recipe exactly as written is flawless. I crave this rice dish and have made it 4 times in as many weeks. So good. I didn’t love kale until now. Delicious. Cheers.
Hi Nagi, this was a really nice recipe for kale thank you for your lovely recipes.
Regards
Patricia
You’re so welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂 N x
Hi, what type of rice do you use? I’ve made this 3x using Calrose rice, and the rice always comes out a bit hard. Keep making because the flavors are so yummy. Any tips appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Susan, sorry you’re having issues – I generally use a medium grain rice. Calrose is a different type and requires more water (as it’s stickier) Try lowering the temp, adding 1/4 cup more water and cooking a couple of minutes longer ❤️ N x
Thank you for the tip! I have been using your recipes weekly, and each one is a major hit! Love everything about your site!
Dear Nagi!
What a fortunate crossing I had when I came upon your site!
Even though it is hotter than Hades where I live right now, I was in the mood for a nice comfort dish using some mince and I found your Salisbury Steak w/Mushroom gravy. It then lead me to look at your other recipes and read your delightful musings about life and Dozer! What a cutie!
It did not take me long to sign up for your newsletter and what an amazing surprize to receive your 3 e-books! I expected perhas a few recipes but I was absolutely joyful receiving such a generous gift! I have reviewed all of the recipes and my mouth was watering just looking at and previewing them! Thank you, Nagi…I can hardly wait to get after so many of them!
You are definitely a very talented lady – in all ways and we are so lucky to share in your generous gifts.
Hugs – from a distance! – to you and Dozer!
Please take very good care and wishes for healthy and happy days ahead!
nobody in my family likes kale but they do now with this easy and delicious garlic butter kale rice. OMG…. so good.
You’ve totally converted them Fanny!! N x
I just submitted a comment on the Kale Rice. I meant to give it 4 stars. Sorry, I forgot.
After following the instructions to a tee, the rice was perfectly done. The only thing is that I had to add a splash of lemon juice and some lemon pepper to liven it up a bit. It paired well with breaded pork loin chops.
Another winner! I read others’ comments about their kale-hating family members liking this and thought “not mine” but he devoured his dinner and came back for seconds. He even looked at me and said “how did I get so lucky?” 😂🤣 You’re making love happen, Nagi! I’m not a huge kale fan myself but this will definitely be a staple in our home.
Nagi, can I use cooked brown rice? If yes, how will i alter the cooking process? Can’t wait to try this out! Thank you so much!
Hi Maikee, I talk about this in the recipe notes – N x
I read the whole article 2-3x thinking i may have missed but i do not see anywhere that talks about cooked rice! Specifically went back to the Recipe Notes.
Made this dish last night. Followed the recipe but the rice didn’t get cooked. Any ideas what I can do to remedy this? I hate to waste such good food and all that beautiful kale!
What I did is that I brought the rice with the stick to a boil, once it started boiling then brought it down to low and proceeds with recipe steps.
I apologize for the typos. I meant stock * and proceeded *
Hi Nancy, sorry you had issues here. If the heat was low, it may just need a couple more minutes to cook. N x
I’ve made this soo many times since finding it a few months ago. It’s crazy good and my rice loving husband just adores it. I confess I actually make mine with shaved Brussels sprouts in the place of kale, but regardless this recipe is great, thank you for sharing. Just love your site.
Do you have an alternative to rice? My old man hates it. Thanks!
Hi Jackie – this one is all about the rice! You could use quinoa instead if you like though! N x
The recipe was great! I made it as directed, and it turned out perfectly. Felt very healthy and was tasty as well! Thank you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS AND YOUR INSIGHT!
I’m of Latin descent and I have never been able to cook rice perfectly to save my life. It was a bit of a downer, given my heritage – but your easy step by step guide helped me make my first perfect rice in 20 years!
Thank you again!
Thanks so much Merry! N x
This was sooo good! I don’t hate Kale. But the bitterness can be tough and I don’t use it unless a recipe calls for it.
Was it the butter and/or garlic? Yummy.