High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Basil-Pesto Kale Salad
This vibrant kale salad is the kind of dish that makes you genuinely excited about eating your greens. The homemade pesto is the real star — blended from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and a touch of turmeric, it comes together in minutes and coats every leaf in something bright, herby, and deeply satisfying. Massaging the kale with sea salt before dressing it is the move that transforms tough, bitter leaves into something tender and almost silky, so don't skip that step. Thin-sliced radishes add a peppery crunch that plays beautifully against the rich olive oil base of the pesto. Store-bought pesto and pre-made dressings are notorious for sneaking in sweeteners and additives you'd rather avoid, which is exactly why making your own from scratch is such a win here. Every single ingredient in this recipe is whole and unprocessed — nothing comes from a jar with a suspicious label. It's a clean, confident salad that works as a light lunch, a side dish, or even a base for grilled protein.
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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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