Celery Free Basil-Pesto Kale Salad
Bright, herby, and deeply satisfying, this kale salad is the kind of thing that converts skeptics one forkful at a time. The real magic starts with massaging the kale with a pinch of sea salt until it softens and darkens — that step transforms what can be a tough, bitter leaf into something tender and almost silky. The homemade pesto is blended from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of turmeric, giving it a vivid color and a flavor that's layered and bright without relying on any store-bought shortcuts. Crisp radish slices add a peppery crunch that plays beautifully against the rich, garlicky coating on every leaf. Because the pesto is built entirely from whole herbs, citrus, and olive oil, there's nothing hidden to worry about — just clean, straightforward ingredients you can see and trust. It works equally well as a light lunch on its own or as a bold side alongside grilled proteins or grain bowls. A few extra torn basil leaves and a squeeze of lemon over the top before serving make it look as good as it tastes.
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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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