Gluten Free Basil-Herb Kelp Noodle Salad
Kelp noodles are one of those quietly brilliant ingredients that make grain-free, gluten-free eating feel genuinely exciting rather than like a compromise. They start out firm and a little crunchy, but a quick soak in apple cider vinegar and cold water transforms them into tender, pliable strands that hold onto a sauce beautifully. The pesto here is blended from scratch — fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and a warm hit of turmeric and ginger — so you know exactly what's in it with zero guesswork about hidden additives. Shaved zucchini ribbons and thin cucumber half-moons add crunch and freshness that make the whole bowl feel light and vibrant. Everything gets tossed together until every strand is coated in that bright green sauce, and the result is the kind of salad that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort. A squeeze of lemon at the end pulls all the flavors into focus, and torn basil on top makes it feel just a little bit fancy.
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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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