Kale Conversion: Bunch/Weight to Chopped & Cooked Volume (US Cups)
An approximate guide to the yield of chopped fresh kale and cooked kale (in US cups) from a typical bunch or by weight. Kale, like spinach, reduces significantly when cooked.
Fresh Kale Input
Approximate Weight
Chopped Raw Yield (US Cups) (moderately packed)
Cooked Yield (US Cups) (approx.)
1 medium bunch kale
~8-10 oz / ~225-285 g
~6-8 cups
~1 - 1 1/2 cups
1 pound (lb) fresh kale
1 lb / 454 g
~10-12 cups
~2 - 2 1/2 cups
8 oz pre-washed bag/container
8 oz / ~227 g
~5-6 cups
~1 cup
Important Considerations for Kale Yield:
"Bunch" sizes for kale can vary significantly. This chart assumes a common grocery store bunch with tough stems removed before chopping.
Chopped raw yield is for moderately packed kale. Kale is bulkier than spinach when raw.
Kale reduces considerably when cooked, though often not as dramatically as spinach. The final cooked volume depends on cooking method and time.
Different types of kale (e.g., curly, Lacinato/dinosaur) may pack slightly differently when raw.
For recipes where kale quantity is important, it's often best if the recipe specifies a weight of fresh kale or a volume of *cooked* kale.