Gluten Free Pesto-Walnut Kale and Brussels Sprout Slaw
This slaw is a serious crowd-pleaser — shredded Brussels sprouts and lacinato kale ribbons tossed in a bright, garlicky basil pesto that you blitz together in minutes. The homemade dressing is the real star here: fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Parmesan, and olive oil come together into something far more vibrant than anything from a jar. Because every component is naturally free of gluten, there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap out ingredients — it just works as written. Massaging the greens with the dressing is a small step that makes a big difference, softening the kale and sprouts so the whole thing feels tender rather than tough. Toasted walnuts go in twice — once blended into the pesto for body and richness, and again scattered on top for crunch. A pinch of red pepper flakes and a shower of extra Parmesan at the end pull it all together into something that looks impressive but comes together with very little effort. It holds up well in the fridge, making it a smart make-ahead option for lunches or a dinner side that actually gets better as it sits.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 8 oz brussels sprouts, tough outer leaves removed, very thinly sliced
- 4 cups lacinato kale, stems removed, very thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the pesto dressing
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup dry-roasted walnuts, divided
- 1 oz parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Using a box grater, mandoline, or sharp chef's knife, shred the Brussels sprouts as thinly as possible — aim for paper-thin slices. Stack the kale leaves, roll them tightly, and slice into thin ribbons. Combine both in a large mixing bowl.
- 2
In a food processor, combine the basil, ¼ cup of the walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and uniform.
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