Pork Free 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 get a quick soak in apple cider vinegar and cold water to soften them into tender, pliable strands that soak up every bit of the vibrant green pesto coating them. That pesto is blended fresh from basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and a warm hint of turmeric and ginger — no jarred shortcuts needed. Shaved zucchini ribbons and cool cucumber half-moons add crunch and color, making each bowl feel genuinely satisfying without being heavy. Everything here is plant-based and built entirely from whole, clean ingredients, so there's zero guesswork about what's actually in your food. It's a great option when you want something that feels indulgent but is actually doing your body a favor — and the lemon wedges squeezed over the top right before eating make it sing.
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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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