Go Back
–+ servings
Print
Kale pesto in a large white bowl with a silver spoon in the photo.

Kale Pesto Recipe

Simple, delicious, homemade kale pesto can be made in just five minutes and tastes delicious!

Course Appetizer, Sauces
Cuisine American
Keyword kale pesto
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 558 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh torn kale no stems (about 1 large bunch)
  • 1 cup fresh parsley stems removed (about 1 bunch)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon white miso paste optional but recommended
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice juice of approx. 1 large lemon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. To a food processor, add the kale, parsley, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, miso paste, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and avocado oil. Pulse on high speed until a creamy green mixture forms.
  2. Slowly stream in the olive oil while pulsing the food processor, just until combined.
  3. If the pesto is too thick, thin it out by adding in 1 tablespoon of water at a time, pulsing just until combined. You can also add starchy pasta cooking water at this point if you're planning to mix the pesto with pasta afterward.
  4. Taste and add more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Recipe Notes

  • During step 1, the food processor will look very packed (and nearly overflowing with kale), but as the kale gets broken down it will turn into a creamy pesto nearly 1⁄4 of the volume.
  • Once the pesto is ready, easily toss it with freshly cooked pasta! If the pesto isn’t adhering nicely to the pasta, add 1⁄2 cup of the starchy pasta water to the mixture and mix on low heat until the pasta is well coated.
  • You can alternatively add cold pesto to cold pasta for a chilled pasta salad vibe!
  • I always use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. This recipe will not work the same with Morton Salt (highly advise against for measurement purposes).
Nutrition Facts
Kale Pesto Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 Calories from Fat 486
% Daily Value*
Fat 54g83%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11g
Monounsaturated Fat 33g
Sodium 1891mg82%
Potassium 647mg18%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 5685IU114%
Vitamin C 79mg96%
Calcium 135mg14%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.