5 from 12 votes
Kale Pesto Recipe
This Kale Pesto blends toasted walnuts, garlic, kale, spinach, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a vibrant, nutty sauce. It offers a twist on traditional basil pesto by incorporating kale and spinach for a deeper green flavor and added nutrients. The toasted walnuts add warmth and crunch to the smooth, herby blend, while lemon brightens the overall taste.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 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 kale removed from stem, torn leaves
- 1 cup spinach use what you have handy!, or basil, fresh
- ½ tsp salt plus extra to taste
- 1 lemon approx. 2 TBSP lemon juice, juiced
- 1/3-1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese to taste, freshly grated
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 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.
- Add walnuts and garlic to your food processor. Pulse until both are minced.
- 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.
- 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!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use a high-quality, flavorful olive oil to enhance the pesto's taste.
- Adjust olive oil quantity to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Try kale pesto on crusty bread or as a versatile sauce for pasta and vegetables.
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
(4%)
Vitamin A
2745IU
(55%)
Vitamin C
38mg
(42%)
Calcium
116mg
(12%)
Iron
0.8mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
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.