How to Saute Kale – Sautéed Sesame Kale

Sautéed Sesame Kale is a great alternative to regular wilted kale. The combination of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds packs a powerful punch of flavor that will keep you begging for more. Follow these easy steps for how to sauté kale.

I love stocking up on bunches of fresh kale at the local farmers’ market. Sometimes I sauté it with mushrooms, braise it with tomatoes, wilt it with bacon, add it to soup, or make a delicious salad, but today, I was craving something new.

Sautéed Sesame Kale Recipe

So I opened up one of my favorite cookbooks called Vegetables on the Side. I found a sautéed kale recipe that inspired my own variation. I love this Asian spin on kale featuring both toasted sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. It’s the combination of both that makes this recipe special.

I keep a bag of sesame seeds in the freezer to have on hand for recipes like this one. It’s not an ingredient that I use often, so keeping them in the freezer keeps the oil in the seeds from going rancid and developing off flavors. I love using them for our easy broccoli with sesame seeds as well.

Ingredient List

• Kale Leaves, bite size pieces with woody stems removed
• Olive Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Minced Garlic
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Sesame Seeds, toasted

How to Sauté Kale (with sesame)

Step By Step Instructions

1. Add stemmed and chopped kale to a large skillet with water; cover and cook on low heat until the the kale wilts and is tender, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Remove kale; drain excess water if needed.
3. Heat olive oil and sesame oil over medium heat to medium-high heat; stir in garlic and cook for 10 seconds.
4. Add kale, and continue to cook in the oil for 3 to 4 minutes of until it is cooked through.
5. Season well with salt and pepper, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over top.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave.

For the full recipe and ingredient list for Sesame Kale, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Kale with Sesame Seeds Recipe FAQs

• Remove the stems from the kale by folding it along the spine, and ripping the leaves easily away. Discard the stems.
• After wilting the kale in step one, drain well in a colander if the kale has excess moisture.
• Onions would be a nice addition to this sautéed kale recipe.
• While toasted sesame seeds are optional, I highly recommend that you don’t skip this ingredient. They add the most amazing flavor and texture to this sesame kale recipe. You can also find toasted sesame seeds in the store or online.
• How to toast sesame seeds? Heat sesame seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Watch closely and stir often until the seeds begin to get brown and fragrant. These will burn quickly, so do not walk away.
• Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite ingredients and kitchen items.

Recipe Variations

• Substitute coconut oil for olive oil, if desired.
• For heat, add red pepper flakes.
• I love adding diced onions with the garlic.
• Add a dash of soy sauce or a splash of rice vinegar before serving. (I prefer low sodium soy sauce.)

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