How Long Does Kale Last?

Got a pack of kale in the refrigerator and want to know how long it will last or whether it is safe for consumption or not. Storing green leafy veggies is quite a hard struggle. But you are at the right place. Here is a detailed guide to storing kale. 

So how long does kale last? Here is a short and crisp answer. 

At room temperature, kale lasts two hours, whereas it stays fresh for two weeks when stored in the refrigerator. In the freezer, kale can last fresh for up to 8 months. 

Whether you saute, cook, or eat kale raw, we all agree that kale is a great way to load your body with the goodness of green leafy vegetables. Kale is touted as one of the healthiest leafy vegetables. It is filled with vitamins and minerals and is lower in calories. 

In this article, you learn about the shelf life of kale, how to store it, and the signs of spoilage. So scroll down and learn about some facts!

How Long Does Kale Last?

If you are looking for a straightforward answer, then here it is! Just go through the below-mentioned table and know about the shelf-life of kale. 

How Long Does Kale Sit Out?

Leaving kale outside is not a great option as it is likely to get spoiled. You must keep it in the fridge to extend its shelf life. 

Fresh and bagged kale can not be kept at room temperature for more than 3 to 4 hours. On the other hand, you must not keep cooked kale for more than 2 hours outside. 

How Long Does Kale In The Fridge?

Storing kale in the refrigerator is ideal for extending its shelf life. The cool temperature of the fridge can surely prevent it from getting spoiled if stored properly. 

Fresh kale can not be kept for more than 5 to 7 days, whereas you must not keep cooked kale in the refrigerator for more than 7 to 10 days. On the other hand, when it comes to cooked kale, you can store it for up to 3 to 5 days. 

How Long Does Kale In The Freezer?

If you are not using kale for instant use or want to keep it for a month, you can go for the freezing option. It is an ideal way to store kale for a much longer period. 

Fresh and bagged kale can be kept in the freezer for about 6 to 8 months. On the other hand, you must not keep cooked kale for more than 2 to 3 months outside. 

Does Kale Go Bad?

We all know that greens get spoiled after some time, and kale is no exception. So, it is apt to say that kale goes bad or gets spoiled over time.

If you want to extend its shelf life, you need to focus on its storage. Make sure you place it in the ziplock bag and avoid washing it until you are going to consume it. If kale is open to moisture, it gets easily spoiled and fastens the bacterial attack. 

How To Tell When Kale Is Bad? 

Are you confused about whether the pack of kale in the fridge is bad or not? Well, let’s check out by following these easy ways. 

1. Wilted and slimy 

When you take kale out of the refrigerator, it might feel slimy and sticky. This is a sign of it getting spoiled. Before using it, check the leaves properly. Just get rid of the slimy part, and you can use the rest. 

2. Sulfur-like smells

Another easy way to find out whether the kale is spoiled or not is by checking its smell. Fresh kale leaves smell nice and earthy, but the spoiled one smells like rotten egg. If you feel a sulfurous odor, it is time to toss it away. 

3. Change in color

The fresh kale has a beautiful vibrant green color. With the passing of time, this green color changes into yellow, which is quite a visible sign of spoilage. 

4. Organic growth

Before consuming kale, look for dark patches, mold, or organic matter. The presence of moisture is an open invitation for a bacterial attack, and consuming spoiled kale harms your health.

So, if you spot any of these spots, it is the right time to discard them. 

How To Store Kale?

Storing kale is not that much of a hard struggle. You just need to remember a few points before storing it in the refrigerator. The most important thing you need to be careful of is to keep kale away from moisture. 

How To Store Raw Kale? 

The best way to extend the shelf life of kale is to store it dry in the fridge. We all know that greens must be kept away from moisture as it will speed up the spoiling process. 

Follow these simple yet effective steps to store raw kale. 

• Until you plan to use it, do not wash it. As I already mentioned, adding moisture is just an open invitation for the spoilage of greens. 
• Keep the kale leaves in the Ziploc bag, and make sure you squeeze out an extra air present in it. 
• Store it for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. 
• When you want to eat, just wash it properly with cool water and dry it with a salad spinner or kitchen towel. That’s it! You can just simply add it to the salad and enjoy it. 

How To Store Cooked Kale? 

You don’t have to worry about storing cooked kale. It is not a difficult task; just follow these easy steps – 

• The first step is to cool the cooked kale down at room temperature. 
• Once it cools down, place it in the resealable storage bag or airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for about four to five days. 
• If you want to eat cold kale, you can directly grab a bite. 
• But if you want to eat warm kale, just microwave it for about 10 to 20 seconds. You can also reheat it on the stove. 

How To Freeze Kale? 

1. Remove The Leaves

Before placing the kale in the freezer, make sure you remove all the leaves from the stem. Well, for this, you don’t have to take a long chopping and cutting route. 

Just simply run your hands down the stems and pull the leaves off. After this, break the leaves of the kale into small pieces. You can also cut them into slices. 

2. Wash The Kale

After properly removing the leaves from the stems, the next step is to wash them properly. Add the kale leaves to the bowl, pour cold water, and just swish them with your hands.

Isn’t it simple? Let that bowl rest for about 20 to 15 minutes so that all the dust gets removed. 

3. Remove The Moisture

Now, just drain all the moisture from the leaves. To dry all the kale leaves, you can use a salad spinner or kitchen towel to pat dry them. 

4. Place kale on Baking Sheet

Once you pat dry all the leaves, keep them on the baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours. 

5. Airtight container 

The final and last step is to keep them in the freezer, and for this, you need to transfer the kale to an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Ensure you remove extra air from the bag, which is good to store for up to 6 months. 

Tips to increase the shelf life of kale 

1. Use plastic bags 

Just keep kale in a plastic bag before keeping it in the refrigerator. Remember to squeeze out extra air from the bag.                                  

2. Store kale with a paper towel 

Before sealing the plastic bag, place the towel in the bag. It will surely help to absorb all the extra moisture present in it. 

3. Store it in the crisper drawer

The crisper drawer present in the fridge is just made of vegetables. This section of the fridge has low humidity from the rest of the fridge. Low humidity prevents kale from being spoiled. So you must place all your greens in this compartment of the refrigerator. 

4. Rehydrate the kale if needed

Kale leaves get dry and wilt after some time. So place it in the bowl of cool water for about 10 to 15 minutes. After this, you can seal the kale again after drying all the moisture. 

5. Avoid washing kale until before consumption

Washing all the vegetables before consumption is a mandatory thing. But you must avoid washing them before placing them in the fridge. Moisture speeds up spoilage, and thus you must avoid washing it before placing it in the fridge. 

Conclusion

Thus, it is all about how long kale lasts. I hope all your doubts related to shelf life, storage, and signs of spoilage of kale are cleared now. 

Keep it away from moisture, place it in the refrigerator, and you are ready. So, make a delicious meal with this green vegetable and enjoy! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)