Macadamia Free Vegan Kale Pesto with Lemon Zest
Bright, garlicky, and packed with leafy greens, this plant-based pesto is the kind of sauce that makes you want to put it on absolutely everything. Toasted pine nuts bring a buttery richness that blends beautifully with the earthy kale and fragrant basil, while nutritional yeast adds a savory, almost cheesy depth without any dairy. The lemon juice and zest are the real secret here — they lift the whole mixture and keep the color vivid and fresh. Because the recipe relies on pine nuts rather than the macadamia nuts that sometimes sneak into specialty or gourmet pesto blends, it's a genuinely safe and satisfying option for anyone avoiding that particular ingredient. Everything comes together in a food processor in just a few pulses, making it one of those recipes that feels impressive but barely takes any effort. Toss it with pasta, spread it on toast, or use it as a dip — this pesto is endlessly versatile and stores beautifully in a jar for easy meals throughout the week.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 3 cups packed curly or lacinato kale leaves, stems removed and roughly torn
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed to loosen (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate and let cool for 2 minutes.
- 2
Add the kale, basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the greens are finely chopped and the mixture looks uniformly crumbly.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!