Carrageenan Free Basil-Pesto Kale Salad
Massaged kale gets a serious glow-up here, coated in a vibrant homemade pesto that's blended fresh from basil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and a hint of turmeric. The hands-on massage step is the real secret — working the salt into the leaves for a few minutes transforms them from tough and bitter to silky, deeply flavored, and almost irresistible. Store-bought dressings and pesto sauces are notorious for sneaking in additives and thickeners that can be hard to spot on a label, so blending your own from scratch puts you fully in control of every ingredient. The pesto comes together in under a minute in a food processor, streaming in good olive oil until it turns glossy and bright green. Thinly sliced radishes add a peppery crunch that plays beautifully against the rich, herby coating on the kale. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end lifts the whole bowl and keeps everything tasting clean and lively. It's the kind of salad that actually holds up over time, making it a smart choice for meal prep or a make-ahead side.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 2 bunches curly or lacinato kale (about 10 oz), stems removed, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, divided
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
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 fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn, for serving (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the torn kale leaves in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp of the sea salt. Using both hands, massage the kale firmly for 2–3 minutes until the leaves darken, soften noticeably, and reduce in volume by about half.
- 2
Combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, and remaining 1/4 tsp sea salt in a food processor or blender. Pulse 5–6 times until the herbs are roughly chopped.
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