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Can you blend kale in a blender?

Yes, you can blend kale in a blender

You absolutely can blend kale in a blender! A blender is a perfect appliance for blending up leafy greens like kale into smoothies, juices, soups and more. The powerful blades and motors of most standard blenders have no problem breaking down and pureeing the fibrous leaves of kale.

Blending kale allows you to reap all the benefits of this super nutritious green in a drinkable form. It helps make the nutrients more bioavailable and easier to digest compared to eating raw kale leaves. Blending also allows you to pack more kale into your diet as it condenses down when processed.

There are just a few tips to follow when blending up kale in your blender for the smoothest results:

Tips for Blending Kale

– Chop or tear the kale leaves into smaller pieces before adding to the blender. This helps the blades process it more easily. Remove any thick stems which can be tough to blend.

– Add some liquid to help the kale blend smoothly. This can be water, juice, non-dairy milk, etc. The liquid helps the blender blades turn and puree the kale properly.

– Start on a lower speed and gradually increase to high. Let the blender work through the kale for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute on high speed to ensure it is well broken down.

– Add some fruit or sweeteners like bananas, pineapple, dates, or maple syrup to help mask the strong flavor of kale. Smoothies are a great way to blend kale.

– Consider using a blender with a powerful motor and sharp blades if you plan to blend kale often. This makes the job easier for the appliance.

Benefits of Blending Kale

Blending kale to drink allows you to gain all the fantastic nutrients and benefits of this leafy green vegetable:

Nutrition

Kale is one of the most nutritionally dense foods there is. A 1 cup serving provides:

– Vitamin A: 206% of the RDI

– Vitamin K: 684% of the RDI

– Vitamin C: 134% of the RDI

– Vitamin B6: 9% of the RDI

– Manganese: 26% of the RDI

– Calcium: 9% of the RDI

– Copper: 10% of the RDI

– Potassium: 9% of the RDI

– Magnesium: 6% of the RDI

Plus it contains antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol.

Anti-inflammatory

The antioxidants in kale can help lower inflammation in the body which is linked to numerous diseases like cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

Heart Health

The fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in kale support heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Detoxification

The isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from glucosinolates in kale help regulate detoxification at a cellular level.

Digestion

Kale contains fiber and water to promote regularity and healthy digestion. The nutrients also help support the good bacteria in your gut microbiome.

Vision Health

Lutein and zeaxanthin found in kale act as antioxidants to promote healthy vision.

Cancer Prevention

The ITCs, antioxidants and fiber of kale may help bind and eliminate carcinogens from the body to reduce cancer risk.

Strong Bones

The calcium, vitamin K, magnesium and potassium in kale helps build and maintain strong, healthy bones.

Best Blenders for Kale

You can blend kale in just about any standard countertop blender. However some are better equipped to handle the fibrous green than others. Here are some of the best blenders for kale:

Vitamix

Vitamix blenders are frequently used by juice bars and smoothie shops because of their power and blending abilities. With a 2+ HP motor and aircraft-grade stainless steel blades, it can blend just about anything easily. It quickly pulverizes kale into smooth juices and smoothies.

Ninja

Ninja makes several good blender models that excel at blending greens. Their stackable blade design provides great crushing power. Look for ones with 1000 watts or more motor power. The Ninja Mega Kitchen System is a top choice.

NutriBullet

NutriBullet blenders are compact but mighty. Their cyclonic blending action helps break down tough ingredients. The NutriBullet Pro 900 series has a 900 watt motor ideal for kale.

Cleanblend

For a more budget-friendly option, Cleanblend makes a 1800 watt blender comparable to Vitamix. It handles kale with ease and is easy to clean.

Blendtec

Known for the viral Will It Blend videos, Blendtec is a top blender brand. The 3 peak HP motor and blunt stainless steel blade easily purees kale. The Total Blender Classic model offers great value.

Kale Blender Recipes

Blending kale makes it simple to add this vegetable to just about any recipe. Here are some delicious kale blender recipes to try:

Green Smoothies

Smoothies are a tasty way to drink kale. Simply blend kale with banana, pineapple, mango or other fruit plus liquid to mask the green flavor. Some favorite combinations include:

– Kale, banana, almond milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla

– Kale, mango, OJ, Greek yogurt

– Kale, pineapple, coconut water, lime

Green Juices

For a lower sugar option, make green juices with kale as the base along with fruit and veggies like:

– Kale, apple, spinach, cucumber, celery, lemon

– Kale, parsley, broccoli, carrot, ginger

– Kale, grapefruit, avocado, lime, mint

Pureed Soups

For healthy soups, blend kale along with broth and mix-ins like beans, tomatoes, butternut squash, cauliflower, etc.

Pestos

Kale makes a great addition to pesto. Blend kale with basil, parsley, garlic, olive oil, nuts, lemon and parmesan cheese for a tasty sauce.

Dressings & Sauces

Put kale in dressings like ranch or green goddess or nut-based sauces for pasta, grains and veggies.

Nice Cream

For dairy-free “ice cream”, blend frozen bananas and kale with cocoa powder, peanut butter or berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my kale not blending smoothly?

If your kale seems to get stuck in your blender and isn’t breaking down well, try adding more liquid, starting on a lower speed, increasing the blend time, chopping into smaller pieces, or using a more powerful blender.

Can I blend kale in a food processor or magic bullet?

While you can blend kale in smaller appliances like mini choppers and magic bullets, a high speed blender with a powerful motor and sharp blades works best to fully break down and liquefy the kale leaves.

Is raw kale better than cooked kale when blending?

Raw and cooked kale contain similar nutrients, though some antioxidants may be reduced from cooking. Use raw when blending into green juices and smoothies for the freshest taste. Lightly steam if adding to pureed soups.

What is the best liquid to use when blending kale?

Water, coconut water, almond milk, oat milk and fresh fruit juices all work well as blending liquids for smooth kale blends. Avoid dairy milk which can curdle with the greens.

Can you blend kale into a power shake?

Yes, kale is fantastic blended into pre/post workout shakes and protein shakes. Simply add your kale along with powdered protein, banana, berries and nut butter or yogurt.

Conclusion

Kale stands out as one of the healthiest vegetables due to its incredible nutrition profile. Luckily, you can easily access these nutrients by blending kale into delicious smoothies, juices, soups and more using any standard blender. Choosing a high speed blender optimizes the process for smooth results.

Blending kale helps concentrate its powerful health boosting compounds while softening it for better digestion. Drink up your greens in the form of green smoothies, juices, pestos, dressings and other creative blends to boost your overall health.