How To Bring Wilted Kale Back To Life

You know how sometimes you bring home bunches of kale or chard, with every intention to gobble up your greens like it’s nobody’s business… but then that night you’re too tired from grocery shopping to actually cook… and the next night you work late so you grab sushi takeout… and the night after that you open your fridge to discover your kale is sad and limp?

Leafy bunches of greens really only stay perky in the fridge for a day or two before they start their rapid decline to limp and unappetizing. You can avoid this altogether by washing them as soon as you bring them home, spinning them dry and stacking the leaves with paper towels in a large freezer bag. Lovely greens for days and days!

But even if they’ve been neglected in your crisper drawer for a while, I’ve discovered a way to restore them to their perfect, shiny-happy selves!

The secret is… treat them like flowers! Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut their stems at an angle, about an inch from the bottom. Then pop them in a glass of water, put them back in the fridge, and they’ll be just like new in a few hours!

Last Updated on April 28, 2014 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

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Alexandria Reid
Alexandria Reid
2 years ago

This worked like a charm! Thanks for sharing this life hack!

SmoothieKing
SmoothieKing
2 years ago

I only buy kale for smoothies, same with celery but I only use a single leaf at a time. No room for the paper towel trick and while it’s still good enough to use in smoothies I hate the feel of limp, wilted kale and rubber celery so use this trick for both.

Patti
2 years ago

Hello I just started the juicing with Joe program but I left my giant kale in the fridg for 4 days not properly stored. My question is does it still have enough nutrients?

Gigi
Gigi
2 years ago

My organic kale wilted overnight. Ok I didn’t put it away properly but thought i would have a day to pack it right. So I googled and found you. Thank you! It worked! So excited!

Ruf the Magic Vegan
Ruf the Magic Vegan
3 years ago

MIND. BLOWN. It worked!!!!!!

nick r
nick r
4 years ago

this was a great tip. you made a couple who hates wasting food very happy so thanks

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