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
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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!!
I picked some Kale, silver beet & beetroot leaves, so combined them & used your recipe. It was beautiful, with a little squeeze of lemon juice. Thank you.
Sounds divine Jan!
I had tried using rice cooker. Brown short grain is used instead. Added extra mushroom n tomatoe. It’s supper yummy.. Thanks for sharing such a simple yet delicious.
That’s awesome to know Susan!
Made this last night as a side dish – it’s awesome! I added a couple scrambled eggs to the leftovers for an awesome lunch today too. Thanks for sharing this.
What a great idea Belinda, I’ll be using that one!
I cooked this to accompany tonight’s dinner! It was a HUGE hit. My husband said it was quite possibly the best dish he had ever eaten. And, already asking when I will make it again.
Thank you so much for sharing your talents
Will wild rice work?
Hi Alisha, You can cook it as per brown rice in the recipe notes, you may need to add slightly more water and cook it slightly longer – N x
I add a little more liquid to the rice so almost a 2:1 ratio. This is a fantastic recipe. Thanks
I’m so happy you love it Brian!
I absolutely love your recipe! I am writing vegetarian recipe round ups on my blog in 2019 for people who are trying to make more meat-free meals (everyone has to start somewhere). I would love to feature you. You can check out my blog (for beginner environmentalists) at sunshineguerrilla.com. Is it alright if I share this link to your recipe?
Made this for the family today. Kids looked at it with doubt initially but gobbled it up! My nephew called it “nature rice”. We had it with your juicy oven baked chicken and it was a winning combo!
How are all you recipes so good!!
Thanks so much for the great feedback, I’m so glad it was a hit!
LOve this recipe,It doesnt taste like Kale,(not bitter).Will be making again all !!the time! Might add some mushrooms
Yesssss! It’s one of my faves!
Trying this tonight! Have you made this in a rice cooker? Thanks xx
I followed the recipe but did it in the rice cooker – so easy! And it is DELICIOUS. Can’t even taste the kale!!! Winner winner! Thank you
I made this tonight and my husband and I both loved it. He took his first spoonful and was ‘mm… that is pretty tasty!’ lol
so I will be making this again!
Thanks to you Nagi I now have a bigger repertoire of recipes to cook x
You’re so welcome Anita!! — Nxx
My family loved! I have a vegetarian so I used vegetable bullion. I didn’t have any kale so I used spinach and it was great.
Great Sue!
Thank you Nagi for another cracker recipe!
Made this for dinner last night to go with your grilled marinated thai chicken.
Made with brown rice and added peas, and baked the chicken YUMMO!!!
Wahoo! Great combo Mish!
This was a great and easy recipe . The taste was wonderful . I was so tired of plain rice with chicken .
You won’t look back now! It’s a staple in my house ☺️
What type of kale did you use? Curly or Lacinato? Since curly is more chewy, if you used, did it get tender? Thanks.
Hi Karen, as per the recipe notes, I use curly kale. By following step 1, you scrunch the kale to help tenderise it so it’s not chewy. ❤️
Can you use cauliflower “rice” in this recipe?
Hi Alysha, you’d need to adjust all the liquids as cauliflower doesn’t absorb the stock like rice would ☺️
Delicious! I’m growing kale, so I have tons, and this recipe was a hit. We paired it with chicken one night and enchiladas the next night. I added spinach and parsley and thyme and skipped the nuts and broth because we didn’t have any on hand. Loved it!
I’m so jealous Leah, I’d love to have fresh kale from the garden!!
I think I ate just as much from the pot as I did on the plate – SO SO GOOD!
I have that problem ALL the time!
I made this rice recipe with the chicken recipe for a gathering and everyone LOVED it.
This is a keeper.😉
This makes me so happy!!!
New to cooking. For step 3 is the rice already cooked when it’s added to the garlic and butter?
The rice is uncooked when you add it in step 3 😀 step one is to get the kale marinating while you prep and cook the rice (step 2 onwards).
Hi Joshua, the video might help you as well here with any tips. The rice isn’t cooked, it will cook in the broth ☺️