Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 12 votes

Kale Pesto Recipe

Let's sneak in some extra veggies with this tasty kale pesto recipe! It's easy to make and ready in minutes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 178 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups torn kale leaves (removed from stem)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach or basil (use what you have handy!)
  • ½ tsp salt plus extra to taste
  • 1 lemon, juiced (approx. 2 TBSP lemon juice)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First toast your walnuts! Heat your oven or toaster oven to 350°F and spread walnuts, spaced on a baking sheet. Roast for 5 to 10 minutes, shaking/tossing the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  2. Add walnuts and garlic to your food processor. Pulse until both are minced.
  3. Next add kale, spinach (or basil), salt, juice of one lemon, and optional parmesan cheese. Blend well, adding the olive oil through the top of the processor towards the very end and gently blending to incorporate. 
  4. Since everyone's perfect pesto varies, feel free to adjust seasoning to taste as well as the liquid to veggie ratio, an extra drizzle or two of olive oil can thin the sauce as desired. I usually snag a piece of crusty bread and dunk as I taste test, it's glorious!

Notes

  • Try to choose an olive oil you love the taste of, a quality oil is key here!
  • See post for some tasty serving suggestions for kale pesto.

Nutrition Information

Calories 178kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 3mg (1%) Sodium 296mg (12%) Potassium 183mg (5%) Vitamin A 2745IU (55%) Vitamin C 38mg (42%) Calcium 116mg (12%) Iron 0.8mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 178

% Daily Value*

Calories 178kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 296mg 12%
Potassium 183mg 4%
Vitamin A 2745IU 55%
Vitamin C 38mg 42%
Calcium 116mg 12%
Iron 0.8mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.