Name: Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 cups packed kale, stems removed and roughly chopped; 1/2 cup pistachios, raw and unsalted; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 garlic cloves, see Notes; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

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Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

The Story Behind This Recipe

We’re major pesto people around here. I make a killer basil pesto (be on the lookout for a recipe this summer!). There’s just something so fresh, yet satisfying about a good pesto. I was skeptical attempting a kale version of a favorite. But WOW, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. This kale pesto is savory, bright, almost refreshing and completely hides how healthy it is. As some of you know, most pestos are made with some type of cheese. But because we’re a cheese-free zone, I developed this recipe without cheese. And honestly – you won’t even know it’s missing anything!

What You Need To Make Kale Pesto

Kale – I used green curly kale, though any kale will work in this recipe. Be sure to remove as much of the stems from your kale leaves as possible before blending. And when I say “roughly chopped,” I mean it. Simply run your knife through the kale a couple of times and then it’s ready to use in this recipe!

Pistachios – Pistachios add a hearty almost sweet touch to this kale pesto. I’ve tried a few different nuts in this recipe and all work, though pistachios taste best. However, whatever nuts you use, it’s imperative that they are completely unsalted!

Lemon Juice – A touch of acidity brings out the brightness of this recipe! Lemon juice also helps to break down the tough fibers in the kale, making it easier to digest.

Ways To Enjoy This Kale Pesto

Perhaps the most obvious way is over pasta. This is how I enjoyed my kale pesto, with Jovial Brown Rice gluten-free pasta. I also added sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for extra protein/nutrients – and it was delicious!
Don’t knock this one ’til you try it – with scrambled eggs! Stir a tablespoon or two of kale pesto in with your eggs right before they’re finished cooking. The end result is creamy scrambled eggs loaded with flavor and veggies.
On toast – slather a healthy helping of kale pesto on toasted bread for a quick and delicious snack!