Pescatarian Vegan Kale Pesto with Lemon Zest
Bright, herby, and packed with leafy greens, this kale pesto is the kind of sauce that makes you want to put it on absolutely everything. Toasted pine nuts bring a warm, buttery depth, while fresh basil keeps things aromatic and classic — and the double hit of lemon juice and zest lifts the whole blend into something genuinely vibrant. Nutritional yeast steps in for parmesan, delivering that savory, umami-rich backbone without any dairy in sight. The food processor does most of the heavy lifting, so you're looking at a sauce that comes together in minutes with very little effort. It's thick enough to cling to pasta, bold enough to spread on flatbread, and versatile enough to dollop over roasted vegetables or grain bowls. Since every ingredient here is whole and plant-based, there's no guesswork about what's in it — just clean, punchy flavor you made yourself.
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!