ShelfLife
How long does kale last?
Fresh kale keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge from the day you buy it. Blanched or not, it keeps 8 to 12 months in the freezer, for smoothies, soups and cooking.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Kale | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if kale has gone bad
- Yellowing leaves: past their best and more bitter, but still edible cooked.
- Slimy, dark or wet-looking leaves.
- A strong sour or sulfur smell, or mold.
How to store kale
- Keep kale unwashed in a bag in the crisper drawer, wrapped in a paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Wash and dry it just before use.
- Chopped bagged kale spoils faster than whole bunches: use it first.
- Keep it away from apples, pears and bananas, which make it yellow faster.
Can you freeze kale?
Yes, for 8 to 12 months. Wash it, strip the leaves from the stems, dry them and freeze them in bags. Blanching for a couple of minutes keeps the color and texture better if you'll cook it. Use frozen kale straight in smoothies, soups, stews and pasta.
Questions
Can you eat yellow kale?
Yes, if it isn't slimy or moldy. It's more bitter, so cook it rather than eating it raw.
How long does kale salad last?
Kale is sturdier than lettuce: a dressed kale salad keeps a day or two in the fridge, though it softens.
Should kale be washed before storing?
No. Wash it just before use: moisture in the fridge makes it slimy faster.
Add greens to ShelfLife, and get a reminder before they turn yellow.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.