Eggless Basil-Herb Kelp Noodle Salad
Bright, herby, and refreshingly light, this kelp noodle salad is the kind of dish that looks like it took serious effort but comes together with surprisingly little fuss. Kelp noodles start out firm and glassy, but a quick soak in apple cider vinegar and cold water transforms them into tender, pliable strands that hold onto the vibrant pesto beautifully. That pesto — blitzed together from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and a warm hint of turmeric and ginger — is what makes the whole bowl sing. Shaved zucchini ribbons and cool cucumber half-moons add crunch and freshness, turning this into a genuinely satisfying meal rather than just a side. Since everything here is built from whole vegetables, herbs, and olive oil, there's no need to scan labels or worry about hidden binders — it's naturally free of eggs without any substitutions required. Finish with torn basil and a squeeze of lemon for a little extra brightness, and you've got a stunning bowl that's as good for a weeknight dinner as it is for impressing guests.
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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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