Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Kale with Lemon
A zesty and spicy kale stir-fry featuring garlic and fresh chili, brightened with lemon juice to boost immunity and flavor. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs fresh kale leaves, washed and chopped, olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 10 oz fresh kale leaves, washed and chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 small fresh red chili, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced fresh red chili. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 10 oz chopped fresh kale leaves to the skillet. Toss well and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until kale is wilted but still vibrant green.
- Step 3: Season with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Step 4: Serve warm as a nutritious side dish to support immune health during cold season.







