Sautéed Kale With Garlic and Lemon is still a darling in the kitchen because it’s nutritious and affordable!

Easy to cook with, sautéed kale has a mild flavor and a bit of a crunch that makes it a home cook’s dream to use year-round. It’s low carb, keto, and low in calories, too!  Plus, when it comes to nutrition, kale is at the top of the food chain!

sauteed kale and garlic in a bowl with a spoon.

Sautéed Kale With Garlic and Lemon

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Best Sautéed Kale

Garlic butter sautéed kale is the delicious side dish that either stands alone or goes with everything! One of the newly anointed superfoods, kale is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Our simple recipe is sautéeed fresh kale in oil, butter, and garlic until it is just barely tender. But kale can be a vegetarian entrée in itself when it’s sautéed with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, canned white beans, and even apples for just a bit of sweetness. It can also be added to soups, casseroles, and omelets. So many options!

ingredients to make sauteed kale with garlic and lemon

Ingredients and Variations

KALE Fresh or frozen kale can be used in this recipe and it will come out firm, crispy, and flavorful every time. If kale is not available, use the next best variety of super greens like spinach, swiss chard, or collard greens!

SEASONINGS Olive oil, garlic, butter, lemon juice, and a little bit of salt are used to season the kale to perfection! A splash of balsamic vinegar will accent the garlic and butter.

How To Prepare Kale

  1. Remove the kale leaves from the fibrous stem and rinse away any dirt or debris under running water.
  2. Dry the kale by placing it in a salad spinner or wrap paper towels around it and press the water out.
  3. Cut or tear leaves into bite-sized pieces.

sauteed kale and garlic in a pan with butter

How To Sauté Kale

This may be one of the easiest side dishes to make, and it’s ready in 3 simple steps!

  1. Cook kale in oil until it’s tender, then sauté the garlic in butter in the same pan.
  2. Stir the garlic and kale together, garnish and season according to recipe.
  3. Continue cooking briefly to blend the flavors before serving.

PRO TIP: Bacon bits are a perfect garnish for garlic butter sautéed kale!

What To Serve Sautéed Kale With

Just like spinach, sautéed kale with garlic and lemon goes with so many different entrées! Try it with keto pork tenderloin, meatloaf, air fryer chicken thighs, crockpot mississipi roast, or air fryer salmon!

Leftovers

  • Kale will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for about 3 days in a covered container. Reheat it by popping it in the microwave and squeezing a little lemon juice and salt on it before serving.
  • Easy to freeze, place chilled kale in a zippered bag labeled with the date on it and freeze for up to a month. Thaw it in the refrigerator, reheat, and season.

sauteed kale and garlic in a frying pan

Other Easy Vegetable Sides

sauteed kale and garlic in a bowl with a spoon.
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Sauteed Kale With Garlic & Lemon

This is the best sauteed kale recipe! Infused with garlic and lemon it is a delicious and healthy side dish that goes with so many entrees!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Holly

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 1 bunch kale washed and dried
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add kale and chicken broth. Cook 7-8 minutes or until tender.
  • Push kale to the side of the pan and add butter and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
  • Stir garlic and kale together, drizzle with lemon juice and salt. Cook 1-2 minutes to blend flavors.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

Leftovers will last up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
5 from 14 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 171mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3334IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

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About the author

At Easy Low Carb® we believe that every meal should be full of big bold flavor! From amazing main dishes and simple sides to the best party snacks, reducing carbs doesn’t mean giving up your favorites!
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