One thing I love about summertime is all the fresh herbs and vegetables that thrive so well in my garden. I get to include them in my sauces and stews and they definitely take my recipes to another level. Nothing like fresh basil and kale leaves picked fresh from the garden. I decided to capture some of its amazing flavors in my this kale basil pesto recipe.
Vegan Kale Pesto
So if you are trying to figure out what to do with your summer surplus of basil then this amazing tasting pesto recipe is just for you. Serve it as a dip, use instead of tomato sauce on pizza, or toss with hot gnocchi.
Traditional pesto recipe has dairy, it’s usually made with basil, pinenuts, olive oil, and aged hard cheese. My version uses nutritional yeast flakes for a cheesy taste. I used walnuts instead of pinenuts, you are welcome to substitute the nuts for your favorite.
Kale is a superfood that is packed with nutrients. It is one of the highest sources of Vitamin A, which strengthens your vision and immune system. It is also high in Vitamin C and K. I am always trying to find ways to implement it in our meals. Read more about the Benefits Of Kale.
Kale Pesto Ingredients
- Kale – I used baby kale but any kale can be used, just remove the tough veins and chop.
- Basil
- Walnut
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast Flakes
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Olive Oil
You can use any variety of kale, whether it is Lacinato, Lark’s Tongue, Red Russian, Siberian, or Vates, the taste of the basil will be more dominant so you don’t have to worry if you are not a fan of kale.
How To Make Kale Pesto?
- Using a food processor, add kale, basil, walnuts, garlic, nutritional yeast flakes, lemon juice, and salt in. Process until pesto reaches the desired texture, scrape down the sides of the food processor. Cover food processor with its lid, and start processing again, slowly drizzle the olive oil while processing to form a paste.
- Taste pesto to make sure it has enough salt, add more if needed. Also if your pesto is to dry, add extra olive oil. Scoop the pesto into a container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
- You can also add oil on top of the pesto, this helps to reduce oxidation.
What Can I Use Pesto For?
- Pasta
- Sandwich Spread
- Gnocchi
- Pizza
- Dip
- Salad dressing
Can You Freeze Pesto?
Absolutely, freeze your pesto during summer and enjoy the taste of summer of winter long. To freeze pesto, blend all the ingredients and pour into ice cube trays. Once frozen, place the kale pesto cubes into a freezer container in the freezer. When you are ready to use, remove the amount you need and thaw.
Other Kale Recipes To Try
- Kale Quinoa Artichoke Salad
- Thai Kale Salad
- Braised Kale And Tomatoes
- Sauteed Kale Garlic And Onions
- Vegan Kale Salad
- White Bean And Kale Soup
Nutrition
(Per serving
)Cooking Time
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes, optional
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor except the olive oil, process until a paste is formed. Stop the food processor and scrape down the sides.
- Continue to process, slowly drizzle olive oil. Taste pesto to make sure it has enough salt, add more if needed. Also if your pesto is to dry, add extra olive oil. Scoop the pesto into a container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
Love this recipe, so flavorful!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Senia, thank you for your feedback.
Wow, that looks so delicious! I don’t have a food processor though. Would there be any other good way to properly mix the ingredients?
I LOOOOOVE pesto! What a great idea to add the kale and make it that much more nutrient-filled. Healthy and delicious is always a win-win. Extra bonus, it’s so pretty! Great photo :)
Yum! I love that you used Kale for a little extra health benefits!
This is my new favorite Pesto recipe. I love that vibrant green color. It is nice to see a pesto recipe that is nothing like the traditional pesto recipe.
I admit, I was never a healthy eater but lately I have really been trying my best to improve on that. I will be putting this recipe on my list of foods to try. Thanks.
What a great change up of classic pesto! I love the flavor of kale so I know I would love this!
This is such a great way to make pesto! I love that you used kale. I have to try this out.
This looks great and a different take on how I usually make pesto! Cant wait to try it!
Beautiful photo! I am all about kale. I can’t wait to give this a try. If it tastes as good as it looks, I’ll have a new staple! :)
I have never been a kale fan….but this recipe has actually picqued my interest! I think I will put this in my recipe queue!
what a fun twist on classic pesto! and that color is gorgeous
Kale is my favorite! Yum! This looks so delicious and healthy!
I’ll have to try this the next time I get kale from the farmers market (hopefully Saturday!) And to Bob’s comment, you can veganize anything, even kale stems au gratin :)
I blanch kale in a steamer, squeeze out a fistful, reserving the liquid for a little flavor in cooking rice and such, then cut along the length, then about 1/2 slices. Fluff this out into a plastic baggie and freeze in 3-4 oz portions to add to soups and pilafs and such.
Forgot something — first I cut the stems away. Blanch them too or use raw in a smoothie. Stems cut in 1/4″ pieces and blanched I’ve used in an au gratin, but that’s not exactly vegan.