How to Wash Kale: 3 Tips for Washing Kale Properly

There are two main ways to wash kale leaves. These methods also work for other leafy vegetables like collard greens and chard.

1. 1. In a colander: You can wash a hearty bunch of kale leaves in a colander. Let them sit under cold running water as you rub the leaves to remove any clumps of dirt. You can pat the kale dry with paper towels or a clean dishcloth, or you can use a salad spinner to dry kale leaves.
2. 2. Submerged in cold water: This is the best way to wash a lot of kale at once. The key is to fill up a container with cold water and fully submerge the kale in it. Swish the leaves in the water to remove dirt as needed. A large bowl usually does the trick, but you can also clean your sink and plug it, fill it with water, and submerge the kale. Drain the dirty water and rinse the greens to prep a large amount of clean kale.

These methods work equally well on curly kale (the most common kind of grocery store kale) and flat-leafed Tuscan kale (also called dinosaur kale). Cleaning kale barely adds to your cooking time and ensures your kale is clean and safe for consumption.

Consider the following tips when washing kale.

1. 1. Plain water works fine. You don't need a special wash or ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to wash kale. Simply use cold water and knock off any persistent dirt with your fingers.
2. 2. In some cases, you can cut the kale before you wash it. If your kale recipe calls for medium-sized leaves, you can chop the kale on a cutting board before washing it. This can make drying the kale in a salad spinner more efficient and slightly cut down on your prep time. Washing big leaves works fine, too, but salad spinners don't handle them as well as they do smaller pieces.
3. 3. Wash kale before freezing it. This rule applies to all veggies. If you plan to freeze them for later use, wash them first. Freezing won't get rid of pesticides and dirt, so make sure to rinse kale thoroughly before you freeze.

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