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Table of Contents
  1. Health Benefits of Leafy Green Vegetables
  2. Leafy Greens Recipes
  3. 5 Ways to Use Leafy Greens
  4. Benefits of Rotating Leafy Greens
  5. Tips for Cooking with Leafy Green Vegetables
  6. Freezing Your Leafy Greens
  7. Common Questions

Step aside salad. You’re no longer the only way to get leafy green vegetables into our diet. The following nutritional powerhouses deserve a starring role in any kitchenโ€” not just for a trained chef. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, leafy greens offer a wealth of health benefits and surprising versatility in the kitchen.

I started my love affair of leafy greens with blending baby spinach into my smoothies. Over time, I started to crave more leafy green vegetables. From vibrant stir-fries to hearty plant-based soups and even delicious green smoothies, it’s time to look beyond the bowl and discover the exciting world of cooking and blending with leafy greens. ย 

Wood cutting board with fresh leafy greens like chard, kale and spinach.

Health Benefits of Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens are super important for a healthy diet. They’re nutrient-dense, green veggies that provide tons of vitamins and minerals. According to a report in the journal Neurology, a daily serving of leafy greens can lead to slower age-related cognitive decline. The term “leafy greens” encompasses a wide array of edible leaves, each with its unique flavor profile and texture. Getting familiar with the leafy green varieties is the first step to unlocking their culinary potential.

Fresh spinach in a bundle on table with leafy greens.

Spinach

Mild & slightly sweet

Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vital vitamins (K, A, C), folate, and iron, crucial for bone health, vision, immunity, cell growth, and red blood cell production. Its high antioxidant content and plant compounds may also lower the risk of chronic diseases, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.

Lacinato kale leafy greens on wood cutting board.

Kale

Hearty & slightly bitter

Kale has different varieties like curly kale, Lacinato (dinosaur) kale, and baby kale offer varying textures. ย With 684% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, 206% of the RDV of vitamin A and 134% of the RDV of vitamin C, this dark leafy green packs a health punch.

Lettuce (Romaine, Butter, Iceberg)

Mild & slightly sweet

Primarily used raw for salads and wraps, some firmer varieties like romaine can be lightly grilled or braised. Romaine lettuce is high in fiber and low in calories. The vitamin C and beta-carotene content help to lower cholesterol and prevent build-up on artery walls, which reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Arugula leafy greens in a white colander.

Arugula (Rocket)

Peppery & slightly bitter

Arugula adds a zesty kick to salads and cooked dishes. More than just a garnish, one cup of this leafy green contains 27.7% of the RDV of vitamin K. Tastes best on top of pizza, in a salad or sandwich. I don’t recommend making smoothies with it.

Cabbage head on wood cutting board with a knife.

Cabbage

Hearty & pungent

This leafy green can actually be purple, red, white or green, but is definitely still considered a leafy green. I love using cabbage as a plant-based taco shell, blended in a cabbage smoothie or roasted cabbage with light seasoning. Loaded with fiber, folate, vitamin B6 and antioxidants which help fight inflammation.

Bok Choy

Mild & slightly sweet

Bok choy is excellent stir-fried, steamed, or added to soups. Full of vitamins A and C, bok choy ranks high for nutrient density as well. All parts of the plant can be used: shredded in a salad, my vegetarian ramen, cooked in soup or blended in a smoothie.

Bunch of freshly picked carrots with leafy greens tops on baking sheet.

Carrot Greens

Herbaceous & slightly bitter

Carrot tops offer surprising nutrition, providing vitamin K for blood clotting and bones, vitamin C for immunity, and potassium for blood pressure regulation. Their phytonutrients also offer potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, making them a worthwhile to smoothies or even pesto!

Beet greens on wood table ready to cook.

Beet Greens

Slightly earthy

Beet tops are a nutritious leafy green, rich in vitamins K and A, vital for blood clotting, bone health, vision, and immunity. High in phytonutrients, including betalains, beet greens have anti-inflammatory benefits. When blending smoothies with beets, wash and blend in the beet greens.

Collard greens on gray conter top.

Collard Greens

Tough & slightly bitter

Collard greens benefit from long cooking times. Like their other cruciferous family members, collard greens are great cancer fighters. They are also pretty good at helping your body digest foods properly with all the fiber inside. They are most popular steamed, but adding them raw to your smoothies will provide greater health benefits.

Bunch of Swiss chard on counter.

Swiss Chard

Mild & slightly earthy

Mild and slightly earthy with colorful stems that are also edible, Swiss chard is a beautiful and nutritious addition to many dishes. Chard is a colorful, dark leaf known for its ability to regulate the body’s blood sugar. Translation? If diabetes or maintaining blood sugar levels is a concern, add this veggie to your regular rotation.

5 Ways to Use Leafy Greens

Ready to move beyond the traditional salad? Here are some inspiring ways to incorporate more leafy greens into your daily meals:

  1. Sautรฉed and stir-fried: Spinach, baby kale, and Swiss chard wilt beautifully in a hot pan with a little olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness. Heartier greens like kale, mustard greens, and bok choy hold up well in stir-fries. Add them towards the end of cooking to maintain some texture and vibrant color. Pair them with your favorite proteins, vegetables, and sauces.
  2. Soups for warmth and nutrition: Stir in chopped spinach, kale, or Swiss chard during the last few minutes of cooking vegetable soup recipes. They will wilt down and add a boost of nutrients and a touch of freshness. Blend cooked greens like spinach or kale with broth, sautรฉed onions, and a touch of cream or coconut milk for a smooth and nutritious soup.
  3. Baked delights with a green twist: Incorporate chopped leafy greens into egg-based dishes like quiches and frittatas. They add color, flavor, and valuable nutrients. Layer sautรฉed greens into pasta bakes and lasagnas for an extra dose of vegetables. They blend seamlessly with the other ingredients. Add finely chopped cooked greens to roasted root vegetables, or use them as a filling for savory pastries and dumplings.
  4. Blended goodness in smoothies: Don’t be afraid to toss a handful of spinach or kale into your breakfast smoothie. The flavor is surprisingly mild when combined with fruits, yogurt, and other ingredients.
  5. Creative raw preparations: While not technically a recipe, juicing leafy greens is a great way to consume a concentrated amount of nutrients. Blend arugula, spinach, or kale with nuts, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice for a vibrant and flavorful pesto. You can also layer large lettuce leaves like romaine or butter lettuce to create healthy and delicious lettuce wraps and sandwiches. ย 

Benefits of Rotating Leafy Greens

I often talk about rotating your greens when making green smoothies. This is because leafy greens come from all different plant families, each offering different health benefits. Yet if spinach is your jam, no worries! Keep doing that. You can always have a salad with kale or make a soup with Swiss chard.

Dark leafy greens including bok choy, kale, cabbage, chard, arugula, carrot tops, romaine, collard, beet tops and spinach.

Tips for Cooking with Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens are more than just a salad component. Their versatility and nutritional benefits make them a valuable addition to any healthy diet. By exploring different cooking methods and incorporating them into a variety of dishes, you can unlock a world of flavor and boost your well-being. So, step away from the salad bowl and embrace the green revolution in your kitchen!

  • Experiment! Don’t be afraid to try different combinations and cooking methods to discover your favorite ways to enjoy leafy greens.
  • Wash thoroughly: Always wash leafy greens thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. A salad spinner can be helpful for drying them.
  • Remove tough stems: For heartier greens like kale and collards, remove the tough central stems before cooking.
  • Don’t overcook: Most leafy greens cook quickly. Overcooking can make them mushy and reduce their nutritional value. ย 
  • Balance flavors: The bitterness of some greens can be balanced with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar, or by pairing them with sweeter or richer flavors. ย 

What are your favorite leafy greens? Drop a comment below and let me know if this list has inspired you to try a new ingredient, or if you’ve got a new green for me to try!

Freezing Your Leafy Greens

Ever wonder how to use up all the beautiful leafy greens you just bought, before they start to wilt? Even though I make green smoothies daily, I sometimes need to freeze my spinach or kale to stay fresh longer.

To lengthen the shelf life of leafy greens and make rotating your greens as easy as opening your freezer, try freezing your spinach. I buy spinach and power greens at Costcoโ€” freezing half of it maximizes the freshness.

Common Questions

What are examples of leafy greens?

You’ve probably heard of spinach, kale and lettuce, but leafy greens also include carrot tops, beet greens, swiss chard, arugula and more! They can grow all on their own, or be found on the tops of other plants (like broccoli, beets and carrots).

What is the healthiest leafy green?

All leafy greens are incredibly nutritious and great to mix into your diet. Kale and spinach are probably the most nutrient-dense, yet you need a variety of greens (and other fruits and vegetables) for the best health. Don’t be afraid to give a new one a try next time you’re at the store. You might be surprised by mustard greens, bok choy and more!

How do you eat leafy greens?

Greens don’t just take place in salads or garnishes for burgers. You can use them in green smoothies, all kinds of pesto, filling for stuffed mushrooms or potatoes. Pretty much anything you want! Next time you are grocery shopping, grab a new-to-you leafy green and get adventurous with how you prepare it.

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Comments

  1. After how many days its ideal to rotate spinach r else greens?

    I have available with spinach..and very often coriander
    And cabbage alao.
    Beet greens r seasonal.
    So what would be the way to rotate my greens..as i have only one or 2 greens
    Plz guide

    1. Jen’s fav thing to do is to switch out greens once a week. So if you’re only using 2 greens, use one the first week, the other the next, then switch back and forth week-to-week. This will keep any toxins from one particular green from building up in your system (which is rare, of course).

  2. I recently bought a bunch of radishes with the leafy greens and wondered about using those. Are there any green vegetable tops that shouldnโ€™t be consumed?

    1. Hi Kim! Radish tops are totally fine to blend up – great idea! Many other ‘tops’ are great to add to your smoothies – especially carrot tops. We’d stay away from the leaves of potato and rhubarb plants though, as those can be toxic. When in doubt, check with a nutritionist or doc to be sure before consuming.

  3. Hey Nick,
    Way to blend while in college! That looks like a delicious smoothie. If you’re drinking it in place of a meal, I recommend adding a healthy fat + a protein to make it a complete meal. Not getting enough fats + proteins may be the reason for your 5pm slump and/or your feelings of grouchiness. You can read about our favorite fat + protein combos here: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie

  4. This is such a wide-ranging list! I know it doesn’t include every leafy green out there but it’s a great start for those of us who are looking to expand our smoothie ingredients beyond spinach and kale! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. So glad we can help expand your tastebuds + help you find more great smoothie ingredients!