Kale with Seaweed, Sesame and Ginger

Wilted kale recipe with arame seaweed, garlic, sesame, and fresh minced ginger.

Sautéed Kale with Sesame and Ginger
Elise Bauer

Living for a while in Japan can greatly expand your food preferences.

Instead of thinking, "eating seaweed? PHEW!" one gets a warm glow and a faraway look in one's eyes thinking, "Eating seaweed? Ahhh. Yummm.


So when I saw a kale seaweed salad at a local Whole Foods deli counter, I was all over it.

It was wonderful! The kale, ginger, sesame, seaweed and seasoning worked so well together.

Dinosaur Kale
Dinosaur Kale (Lacinato Kale). Elise Bauer

When you buy seaweed in the market, typically it is dried. You'll first need to hydrate it by soaking it in some water. We are using "arame" seaweed, which is fairly common; you could also easily use hijiki. I like to use either Eden or Emerald Cove brands.

We are using lacinato kale, aka dinosaur kale, for this recipe because it is a little more tender than regular kale, but either will work.

Kale with Seaweed, Sesame and Ginger

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings


  • 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoons dark (roasted) sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp peeled and minced ginger
  • 1 bunch kale (we used dinosaur kale)
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce (can sub with Bragg Liquid Aminos)
  • 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds


  1. Prepare the seaweed:



  2. Prepare kale:


  3. Sauté garlic, then seaweed and ginger:

    In a large covered skillet, uncover and heat 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil on medium heat. Add garlic and gently sauté for one minute, until fragrant. Add the seaweed and ginger, gently cook for 1 minute. Remove seaweed/ginger/garlic from pan back to the bowl and set aside.

  4. Sauté kale:

    Add another 1 Tbsp oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot, add the chopped kale. Add 1 Tbsp soy sauce. Gently mix in the pan to coat the kale with the oil and soy sauce. Cover; lower heat to low; let cook for 5-10 minutes or until kale is wilted - soft enough to eat easily, but not so soft as to be mushy.


  5. Mix in the kale with the seaweed ginger mixture:

    Add more dark sesame oil and soy sauce to taste. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.


All about kale from The World's Healthiest Foods