Pregnancy Friendly Vegan Kale Pesto with Lemon Zest
Bright, garlicky, and loaded with leafy greens, this kale and basil pesto is the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste more vibrant. Kale brings a serious nutritional punch — folate, iron, and vitamin C — which makes it a genuinely smart choice when you're eating for two and trying to pack more goodness into every meal. Nutritional yeast steps in for parmesan, delivering a savory, cheesy depth without any dairy, so it's a clean option for those navigating pregnancy cravings while keeping things plant-based. The lemon juice and zest aren't just for brightness — they also help your body absorb the iron from all those dark leafy greens, which is a quiet little win hiding in plain sight. Toasting the pine nuts first is a small step that pays off big, coaxing out a warm, buttery richness that makes the whole sauce feel more complex and satisfying. Everything comes together in a food processor in just a few pulses, so you get a thick, spreadable pesto without a lot of effort or time on your feet. Toss it with pasta, swirl it into soup, or spread it on toast — it's endlessly versatile and keeps well in a jar in the fridge.
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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.
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