Vegetarian Kale & Herb Pesto
This vibrant green pesto takes everything you love about the classic and gives it a serious nutritional upgrade, swapping out some of the traditional pine nuts for hearty kale without losing any of that bright, herbaceous punch. A quick blanch in boiling water and an ice bath keeps the kale brilliantly green and mellows any bitterness, so the finished sauce tastes fresh and lively rather than grassy. Basil and parsley round out the herb base, while lemon juice lifts the whole thing and a touch of turmeric adds a warm, golden undertone you didn't know pesto needed. The optional fresh ginger nudges it in an even more interesting direction if you're feeling adventurous. Everything comes together in a food processor in minutes, and the slow stream of olive oil at the end gives you that silky, spoonable texture that clings beautifully to pasta, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread. It's completely plant-based and built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients — no cheese, no nuts, nothing hidden — making it easy to serve to a wide range of guests without a second thought. Make a batch on Sunday and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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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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