Artificial Flavors Free Sautéed Kale with Garlic and Lemon
Garlicky, bright, and just a little spicy, this sautéed kale is the kind of simple side dish that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. Every ingredient here is exactly what it says it is — fresh kale, real garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and a squeeze of actual lemon juice — so you never have to squint at a label wondering what's hiding in a seasoning blend or bottled sauce. The technique is straightforward: golden garlic and red pepper flakes build a fragrant base, then the kale goes in and steams until tender before the heat gets cranked up to give the edges a satisfying little crisp. That final drizzle of fresh lemon juice pulls everything together with a clean, zippy brightness that no artificial flavoring could replicate. It's fast, it's honest, and it makes a leafy green genuinely craveable.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 bunch (about 10 oz) curly or lacinato kale, stems removed, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- 2
Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 1–2 minutes. Watch closely, as the garlic can brown quickly.
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