Barley Free Basil-Herb Kelp Noodle Salad
Kelp noodles are the unsung hero of grain-free cooking — translucent, satisfying, and completely free of any grain-based ingredients that can sneak into packaged noodle products. A quick soak in apple cider vinegar and cold water transforms them from stiff strands into something genuinely tender and pliable, ready to soak up every bit of the vibrant herb pesto. That pesto is blended fresh from basil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and olive oil, with a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger that makes it taste far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. Shaved zucchini ribbons and cool cucumber half-moons add crunch and freshness, turning this into a salad that actually feels substantial. The whole thing comes together in one bowl with a food processor and a colander — no stovetop required. It's bright, herby, and the kind of dish that looks impressive enough to bring to a gathering but is genuinely low-effort to pull off.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 12 oz kelp noodles
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1 medium zucchini, shaved into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler
- 1 english cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
- lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the kelp noodles under cold running water in a colander, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp of the salt, and enough cold water to submerge the noodles. Let them soak for 15 minutes, until noticeably softened and pliable.
- 2
While the noodles soak, combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, ginger, and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor or blender. Pulse 5–6 times to roughly chop the herbs and garlic, then stream in the olive oil with the motor running and process until the pesto is smooth and bright green, about 30 seconds.
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