Fold the leaves of the kale together and hold them with your non-cutting hand. Use a large chef’s knife to cut off the tough stem.
Roll up the kale leaves.
Cut the kale into slices, using a circular motion with the knife. (Make thicker slices if the kale should be chopped into rough pieces; see Step 4.) You can use thinly sliced kale ribbons for salads and soups.
If you’re chopping the kale, rotate the slices and then chop them in the other direction to make small pieces. Repeat for all the kale leaves.