High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Kale & Herb Pesto
This vibrant green pesto is a fresh, herb-forward sauce that goes way beyond the classic pine nut version. Kale gets a quick blanch to tame any bitterness and lock in that gorgeous color, then it's blended with basil, parsley, garlic, and bright lemon juice into something deeply savory and satisfying. A pinch of turmeric and optional fresh ginger add a subtle warmth that makes the whole thing feel a little more interesting than your average jar from the store shelf. Store-bought pesto and condiments are notorious hiding spots for added sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup, so making your own is genuinely the smartest move. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — good olive oil, fresh herbs, real lemon — so you know exactly what you're eating. The food processor does most of the work, and the result is a thick, spoonable paste you can adjust to your preferred consistency just by streaming in a little more oil. Toss it with pasta, spread it on toast, swirl it into soups, or use it as a dipping sauce — it's one of those recipes that earns its place in your weekly rotation fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups curly or lacinato kale, stems removed, leaves roughly torn
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a small skillet of water to a boil over high heat. Add the kale leaves and blanch for 30 seconds, until bright green and just wilted. Drain immediately and transfer to a bowl of ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking, then squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands.
- 2
Combine the blanched kale, basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, turmeric, and ginger (if using) in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the garlic is broken down.
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