• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Vegetables and Sides

Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil

Published: May 24, 2015 · Modified: Oct 17, 2024 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe
White bowl filled with cooked kale and slivers of garlic on top of a russet and green print napkin.

When I saw the recipe for Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil on the Kitchn blog I knew I had to make it. As I've mentioned before,  we really enjoy "spicy" and so the minute we see that a recipe suggests that it will heat up our taste buds,  we're all in.

In the last few years, kale has become very popular -- there are countless recipes for it in almost every magazine.

But, we were on the kale bandwagon long before kale became a trend. 

Fiery Kale with Garlic, Olive Oil and Pancetta @allourway.com
Fiery Kale with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Pancetta

 In fact, our purchasing history for kale goes back more than 20 years. It was a staple in our household. There was always a huge bunch in the fridge's vegetable drawer.

Ironically, we never tasted it. 

Then what did we do with the kale?

Well, Bubba ate it.

Bubba, our Iguana, with a happy face after eating his kale @allourway.com
Bubba, Our Iguana, With His Happy Face

Bubba was our oldest son's pet iguana. Our son brought him home from the pet store as a tiny 8-inch lizard. Bubba immediately let us know he was very discerning when it came to his food.

He refused to munch on anything other than fresh kale and fresh carrots with the ferny green tops. For the kale, our son had to cut out the hard stem and tear the leathery leaves into bite-size pieces. The fresh carrots had to be grated and sprinkled on top of the kale.

If it wasn't just so -- he would pout, step on his dish and upend it. 

This was his way of telling us exactly what he thought of his meal. 

One time we ran out of fresh carrots and our son substituted bagged carrots instead. He sniffed the contents of his dish,  shook his head then stepped on his bowl dumping the entire "salad". Bubba turned around and lumbered off to lay on his heat rock. 

By that time Bubba was 4 feet long.

We had him for twelve years before he went to his big garden in the sky.

I wished we would have had the Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil recipe all those years ago. We could have been enjoying that delicious green along with Bubba. 

Fiery Kale with Garlic, Olive Oil and Pancetta @allourway.com
Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil

Our iguana knew something about kale we hadn't realized yet -- how delicious it can be.

 If you don't like spicy, you can control the heat by decreasing the crushed red pepper flakes. And instead of the pancetta, you can use bacon or hard salami cut into ¼ - inch strips, whichever you prefer.

 Just make it "Your Way". 

Tutti a tavola è pronto!

Un caro saluto e alla prossima.

Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil is a delicious vegetable side with a spicy taste.

 

📖 Recipe

Fiery Kale with Garlic, Olive Oil and Pancetta.

Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil

A spicy kale recipe that is sauteed in olive oil with garlic, red pepper flakes, and pancetta.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: vegetable side
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 161kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. package organic Tuscan Kale --we got the brand from Trader Joe that is ready to use
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves sliced thin
  • 2 ounces pancetta diced *
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large, wide high-sided sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, pancetta, and red pepper flakes and sauté for about 3 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic. Turn up the heat to medium high and add the kale and the chicken broth. Cook stirring often until the leaves turn from leathery stiff to shrunken soft strands of deep, dark green, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Notes

  • * Can substitute 2 ounces of diced bacon or hard salami that is quartered and cut into ¼-inch strips
  • Adapted from The Kitchn recipe of Fiery Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 410mg | Vitamin A: 7230IU | Vitamin C: 87.1mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise

    Note: Recipes and content from ©All Our Way are copyright protected. Please do not use content or recipe without prior written permission. If you want to share the information, please link to this post. Grazie. 

    Related Posts

    • Fusilli Col Buco With Toasted Breadcrumbs, Garlic, Basil Olive Oil

      Fusilli Col Buco With Toasted Breadcrumbs, Garlic, and Basil Olive Oil is a twist on…

    • Jason's Pompano Grilled with Lime and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

      Pompano grilled with lime and extra-virgin olive oil shows off this delicate tasting meat. All…

    • Tuscan Kale with Mushrooms and Garlic { Cavolo Nero con Funghi e Aglio}

      Tuscan kale {cavolo nero} is in practically every food magazine out there. You've noticed it…

    More Vegetables and Sides

    • A Glass bowl filled with a BLT pasta salad dressed with Ranch Dressing.
      Bold and Tangy BLT Pasta Salad
    • Overhead view of the creamy shrimp zucchini stuffed boats in a casserole dish.
      Creamy Shrimp Zucchini Boats
    • A Hoagie made with Italian Chopped salad filling.
      Italian Chopped Salad Sandwich
    • Salad bowl filled with Italian-inspired grilled corn salad.
      Italian Corn Salad
    333 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jolina

      November 22, 2018 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      We always have kale at home - we use add it to everything lol - so this dish is definitely right up our alley. Can't wait to try! Looks very tasty.

      Reply
    2. Denise

      November 22, 2018 at 6:38 am

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh this sounds yummy to me ... my hubby makes his own pepper flakes and puts them on everything and am very partial to garlic. I am going to grab a bag of kale and make it his week!

      Reply
    3. Gloria

      November 21, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      I often cook spinach this way but have not tried making kale this way. What a great side, especially to steak. Love the garlic and bit of heat in this recipe. I will have to pick up kale up next time when I shop and give this a try. Might be a great addition to bibimbap that the kids have requested for Christmas Eve dinner.

      Reply
    4. Priya Srinivasan

      September 13, 2017 at 2:41 am

      Nice to read about your pet iguana bubba! Now this is a recipe I would love to try! We love it nice and spicy!! Next time I buy kale, i m definitely making this!

      Reply
    5. Ashley - Forking Up

      September 12, 2017 at 10:28 pm

      When I met my husband, he hated all things green. Strangely enough, I've gotten him to tolerate KALE. I make mine very similar to this!

      Reply
    6. Christine - Jar Of Lemons

      September 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Such a great recipe idea! My husband would love this too. Definitely saving for later!

      Reply
    7. Veronika

      September 12, 2017 at 1:06 pm

      My fiance is always asking me to make this dish) now, having the recipe, I have no more excuse))) Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        September 12, 2017 at 4:56 pm

        You're welcome, Veronika! I hope he enjoys it.

        Reply
    8. Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

      September 12, 2017 at 9:51 am

      I love kale! I was a picky vegetable eater as a kid, but I could eat an entire bowl of it by myself. Have to say, I had no clue that iguanas ate kale! That is such a funny story

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        September 12, 2017 at 4:58 pm

        Hi, Karyl! Bubba was a real character -- he must have had gourmet taste -- he ate kale before we did.

        Reply
    9. Veena Azmanov

      September 12, 2017 at 8:28 am

      5 stars
      Such a cute Iguana!! Not a big fan..! Honestly I'm scared of them! My kids want a pet but .. we have no place in our home.. and because I work with cakes I try to keep things to the minimum.
      I love kale but i'm mostly enjoying it alone and fiery. Sounds delicious

      Reply
    10. Kylee from Kylee Cooks

      September 12, 2017 at 12:27 am

      Way to spice up a rather bland green! It looks and sounds like it would be very popular in my house too, anything to increase the heat works for us!

      Reply
    11. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife

      September 11, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      This sounds great! I bet the garlic cloves are to die for. I love that it has a hint of spiciness. Yum!

      Reply
    12. PAM

      September 11, 2017 at 6:28 pm

      Love the story about Bubba! I never realized kale could be tasty until a few years ago. This dish sounds yummy!

      Reply
    13. Amy

      September 11, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love this post and the story about Bubba - hilarious! Who knew someone would have such a personal connection with kale! This spicy version sounds yummy!

      Reply
    14. Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh

      September 11, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Awe, Bubba! My daughter wants some sort of lizard, and an iguana is one of the ones she has mentioned. Kale, I actually don't like it. It's just one of those greens, I can't seem to get my taste buds to agree on. I totally would do this same recipe though with spinach! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        September 11, 2017 at 2:08 pm

        Hi, Joanna! I did make it with spinach and it tastes good. I guess kale is a learned taste -- Bubba sure got a big kick out of it. ????

        Reply
    15. Helene D'Souza

      September 11, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Your Iguana is beautiful and it seems to know what is good and tasty. I bet your fiery kale is delicious. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        September 11, 2017 at 2:11 pm

        Thank you, Helene! Bubba is very spoiled! He's stubborn and gets angry if he doesn't get his food when he wants it. The kale is very good. If you don't like spicy you don't have to put as many pepper flakes in it.

        Reply
    16. Kiki

      September 11, 2017 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      We have so much kale in our garden and I am running out of ideas! Thanks for this great new impulse. I will try the recipe tonight!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        September 11, 2017 at 2:11 pm

        Hi, Kiki! That's great that you're able to grow your own kale. I miss our country garden.

        Reply
    17. Liz@Virtually Homemade

      May 28, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Great pic of the kale! Just looking at it makes me hungry!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 28, 2015 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you! I never thought I'd like kale as much as I do -- I hope I don't turn green like Bubba.

        Reply
    18. Thistle

      May 27, 2015 at 11:24 am

      Looks delicious! I'll have to give that a try!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 5:04 pm

        Are you going to attempt a veggie garden at your beautiful farm? I could picture you making sculptures out of the plants --very decorative and coordinated. 🙂

        Reply
    19. Yvonne @ StoneGable

      May 26, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Scrumptious!!! I have Kale in the garden so I'll be using this recipe when it's harvested! YUMMY!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm

        You will have so many delicious recipes to pick from. Are you going to let us know what is in your garden??

        Reply
    20. Ciao Chow Linda

      May 26, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      That is such a hoot about Bubba and the carrots. He was a gourmand too! Sounds like a great way to eat kale.

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm

        Nothing like having a picky lizard who tells you what he wants!! He was all about natural. 🙂

        Reply
    21. Simply Suzannes at Home

      May 26, 2015 at 6:52 pm

      Let's talk kale, Marisa!
      Your dish looks delicious! I've never had it cooked before, let alone jazzed up with delicious ingredients.
      You've peeked my interest, so I'm going to have to give this a try.
      I have all the ingredients, except the kale - but I can easily pick some up tomorrow.
      I'm a big fan of red pepper flakes,so I think they make a great addition to this dish. Yum!
      I hope you had a wonderful weekend, sweet Lady!
      Suzanne
      PS My kiddos love the photo of Bubba :0)

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 5:01 pm

        Oh you will love the spiciness of it! And if your little ones liked Bubba they would have love Gidget -- she started out as a itty bit boa and ended up eight feet long -- but that's another story and it WAS my son's pet. The same one who had Bubba. 🙂 Don't ask me what I fed it.

        Reply
    22. Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen

      May 25, 2015 at 10:19 am

      Great post Marisa, Bubba must have been something to see! This kale recipe sounds and looks delicious, one I will be trying for sure. Thanks Happy Memorial Day to you!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 4:57 pm

        Did you plant kale in your huge garden?? Wish we had room and to think I used to complain about gardening!

        Reply
    23. Jovina Coughlin

      May 24, 2015 at 10:19 am

      Now this is how to give kale some taste. I love the story of Bubba - wow- four feet long? Lots to feeds there.
      Your recipe has several delicious ingredients in it. I'll have to make it this way the next time I have kale on hand.

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        May 27, 2015 at 4:57 pm

        Oh he did eat a lot -- kale in those days was cheap. Le me know how you like it.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Roasted Grape Tomatoes and Garlic Pasta says:
      June 10, 2021 at 8:31 am

      […] bowl with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Yes! I realize we use a lot of red pepper flakes but we like to spice up life […]

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    🍿Snack Favorites

    • Macaroni and cheese stuffed into a large pepperoni slice and baked.
      Pizza Bites Appetizer and Snack
    • A glass bowl filled with creamy chickpeas made into a hummus dip.
      Homemade Hummus Recipe
    • Casserole dish with baked ground beef taco dip.
      Baked Taco Dip
    • A sausage meatball pyramid in a white plate with the appetizers pierced with toothpicks.
      Cheesy Sausage Balls

    🇮🇹 Italian Comfort Food

    • Bolognese Sauce Antica gives you a true taste of Italy. A special sauce for a special meal.
      Bolognese Sauce Antica A True Taste of Italy
    • Creamy Parmesan Baked gnocchi in a rich cheesy sauce baked in a black cast iron skillet.
      Baked Gnocchi in Parmesan Sauce
    • A cast iron skillet holding the Beefy Ravioli Bake with torn basil leaves sprinkled on top.
      Beefy Baked Ravioli
    • A white plate filled with egg sauce coated pasta with bits of pork on top and some parley leaves.
      Classic Roman Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

    🌬️ Cozy Winter Soups

    • Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe served in a white bowl and garnished with onions, bacon, and almonds.
      Savory Chicken Wild Rice Soup With Mushrooms
    • Bowl of Slow Cooker Taco Soup Topped With sour cream and corn chips.
      Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    • Brown bowl filled with chunks of meat and barley grains in a tomato broth with a spoon in the bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Hearty Beef Barley Soup - The Way Mamma Used To Make
    • Black Bean soup garnished with sliced avocado, diced red onions, and cilantro leaves.
      Southwestern Black Bean Soup

    🤤 Delicious Yet Light

    • A salad bowl filled with Strawberry Lettuce combination and grilled chicken dressed with poppyseed dressing.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
    • A glass bowl filled with orzo pasta combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, feta, seasonings, and dressed with a Greek vinaigrette.
      Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad
    • Fresh green cabbage salad made with a homemade green goddess dressing.
      Green Goddess Salad And Dressing
    • Overhead view of large white bowl filled with arugula salad tossed with pears, gorgonzola cheese, cranberries, and walnuts.
      Arugula Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 All Our Way

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.