Oma Shows How to Cook Kale – Grünkohl

by: Gerhild Fulson  /  Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

Oma's Amazon Shop

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Below you'll see how to cook kale, turning it into traditional German dishes that are both hearty and healthy. Kale, aka Grünkohl, is a hearty side dish for many German dinners.

It has an earthy taste that goes great with other hearty dishes. It just needs to be cooked properly!

It's great if you buy it canned or jarred. It's so easy to prepare then. If you have fresh kale, check below how to prepare and cook it. If it's not done properly, kale has a tendency to be tough and bitter. 

Since kale is such a nutritious and healthy vegetable, it's great to be able to cook it so the whole family will enjoy it. Shown above, it's served alongside some fried eggs. 

Below, I've made Kale Mash: cooked kale mixed with mashed potatoes. A super easy way to make a quick dinner and one that even the kids love.

Kale Mash -- super yummy!

• Kale has large stringy, curly leaves with a strong earthy taste and odor
• Kale tastes best after frost has hit the leaves, taste sweeting and more flavorful
• In northern Germany, "kale tours" are popular winter events for social clubs with meals of kale, Pinkel sausage, and kassler being served
• Kale is a great source of vitamin K, C, A, B6 and E, manganese; fiber, copper, tryptophan, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and omega 3 fats!
• Some varieties of kale can grow 6 - 7 feet high!

Want to know which recipes are Oma's favorites? Grab your copy of her very favorite recipes in Favorite German Recipes eCookbook.

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Kale is often served alongside hearty meals. Sausage is a favorite, as is pork roast, as shown below. Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, this makes a hearty dinner!

Traditional kale with bacon

Ready to cook some Kale?

Print Recipe

Oma Shows How to Cook Kale – Grünkohl

 Kale, aka Grünkohl, is a hearty side dish for many German dinners. It has an earthy taste that goes great with other hearty dishes. It just needs to be cooked properly!

It's great if you buy it canned or jarred. It's so easy to prepare then. If you have fresh kale, here's how to cook it.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 60 minutes

Total Time 80 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 - 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 pounds fresh kale
• ⅓ cup lard, goose fat, or butter
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ pound bacon, diced
• salt to taste
• l pound sausage, smoked and pierced with a fork in several places (optional)
• 1 tablespoon rolled oats or cornstarch (to thicken)

Instructions:

1. Wash kale leaves well. Trim stalks and ribs from leaves.
2. Blanche by immersing leaves briefly in boiling water. Then, drain well.
3. Finely chop blanched kale. 
4. Melt lard, goose fat, or butter in a large saucepan.
5. Add onion and saute lightly. Add bacon and fry briefly.
6. Add kale, about ½ teaspoon salt, a little water and sausage (if using)
7. Cover and cook on low heat about 1 hour for a traditional texture. Cook for shorter time if you prefer. Make sure it doesn't dry out - add more water as needed. Cook until kale is tender as you like. 
8. Thicken cooking liquid by adding rolled oats (the traditional way) or dissolve cornstarch in a bit of water and add enough to thicken, stirring constantly.
9. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. 

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Get Oma's FREE ebook!

---

Follow Oma on Social Media:

instagramyoutubefacebookpinterest

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

• 
• 

1. Calve's Liver and Onions Recipe with Apples: Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln

   
   This easy liver and onions recipe is so tasty with the added apples. A hubby and kid pleaser, this is quick to make.

   Go to Recipe

2. Best 10 German Foods with Recipes – Oma's 10 Beste der deutschen Küche

   
   Oma's best 10 German foods that will have you thinking you're back in your Omas kitchen in Germany. Cooking and baking together, but best of all, making memories!

   Go to Recipe

3. German Apple Strudel Recipe – Oma's Apfelstrudel Rezept

   
   This easy German Apple Strudel recipe is one of those German desserts that brings the traditional strudel taste to your table without all the work. Wunderbar!!

   Go to Recipe

*  *  *  *  *

PIN to SAVE this recipe to your Pinterest board!

And let’s be friends on Pinterest!

---




How to Cook Kale ~ Just like Oma



By Oma Gerhild Fulson








Ingredients: kale, butter, bacon, onion, seasonings, cornstarch,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Let's connect...

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.