Description
This vibrant and flavorful Kale Pesto combines fresh kale, parsley, parmesan cheese, walnuts, and a hint of lemon to create a nutritious and versatile sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a simple yet delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of leafy greens with the rich texture of traditional pesto.
Ingredients
Herbs and Greens
- 3 cups (slightly packed) torn kale leaves (110g)
- 1/2 cup (slightly packed) parsley leaves (15g)
Cheese and Nuts
- 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (45g)
- 1/3 cup walnuts (38g)
Flavorings
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled and crushed
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 to 3 Tbsp water, to thin as desired
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the greens and nuts: To a 7-cup food processor, add the torn kale leaves, parsley, grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, walnuts, crushed garlic clove, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and pulse the mixture until all ingredients are finely minced, creating a coarse, evenly blended base for the pesto.
- Add lemon and oil: Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water to the processed mixture. With the processor running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube of the lid to emulsify the ingredients and create a creamy consistency.
- Adjust consistency: If the pesto is thicker than desired, add up to 2 more tablespoons of water, blending briefly between additions, until the pesto reaches your preferred texture.
- Store the pesto: Transfer the kale pesto into an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to 3 days, making it convenient for meal prepping or using throughout the week in various dishes.
Notes
- Use slightly packed kale and parsley leaves to get accurate flavor balance and texture.
- Adjust salt and lemon juice according to your taste preferences.
- The walnuts can be substituted with pine nuts or almonds if desired.
- For a vegan version, substitute parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or a vegan-friendly cheese alternative.
- Use the pesto on pasta, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, or as a spread for extra nutrition and flavor.
- If storing longer than 3 days, consider freezing pesto in ice cube trays for portioned use later.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
