Our Basil and Kale Pesto Recipe is herbaceous and cheesy with the perfect amount of garlic and lemon. It's one of our favorite nut-free pesto recipes that can pair well with everything from pasta to fish and poultry.
For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- Basil and kale pesto freezes well so make a big batch to use in many recipes.
- The combination of kale and basil in the pesto creates the perfect balance of flavor.
- Basil Kale Pesto is a nut-free pesto this is a great recipe for anyone with a nut allergy
Ingredient List
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- fresh kale
- fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
- lemon juice
- fresh garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Add the kale, basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the food processor.
- Use the pulse button on the food processor to blend the ingredients. Taste for seasoning, adjust if needed.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- Wash the kale and basil to remove any dirt before beginning the recipe.
- Use a salad spinner or cloth towel to dry the veggies.
- Don't use the stems in the pesto. They have too much of a bite.
- Place the stems in a freezer bag with other veggie scraps to make vegetable stock.
- This is a simple recipe with just a few ingredients, use the best Parmesan cheese and olive oil in your price range. It is worth it to have amazing tasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some leafy veggies can be a bit bitter. Adding lemon to the pesto will help balance the flavors.
Kale is fairly hearty and is harvested from June to February. I freeze a lot of my kale and use it during off-season months too.
One of my favorites is Tuscan kale which is very popular in many farmer's markets and easy to grow.
Lacinato kale and curly kale are also great choices for this recipe.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Spice: Add a bit of red pepper flakes for heat in the kale pesto.
- Add in an avocado for hearty creamy kale pesto.
- Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or roasted pignoli nuts work well in this kale pesto recipe.
- Greens: Leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, or beet greens would be a tasty addition to this pesto sauce.
- Vegan: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Store basil and kale basil pesto in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer Instructions:
Pesto freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for up to 4 months. To freeze pesto, use an ice cube tray and scoop 2 Tablespoons of pesto into each cube holder in the ice tray.
Place the pesto-filled tray into the freezer and allow the pesto sauce to freeze, for about 1-2 hours. Once the pesto has frozen, remove them from the ice cube tray. Store in freezer-safe bags until ready to use.
The pesto defrosts quickly in the refrigerator. Pesto can be added in a frozen state to most sauces.
Recipe Ideas
Add a Tablespoon or two of kale pesto when making Chicken Bellagio and Homemade Mashed Potatoes.
Soups such as Zuppa Toscana, Ham Bone Soup, and Chicken Zoodle Soup would have an extra level of flavor from this pesto recipe.
Substitute this pesto sauce on Flatbread Pizza.
Pesto would be awesome on a veggie burrito
.Greek yogurt flatbread topped with kale pesto is delicious.
Grilled Pesto Chicken would be just as delicious using kale pesto.
A favorite of mine is Cauliflower Steaks or Whole Roasted Cauliflower, slathered with this pesto.
Change up Roasted Pork and brush it with this pesto recipe before baking. Also, this tasty pork sandwich would be mouthwateringly tasty with some pesto.
Nut-free pestos can be added to everything from roasted spaghetti squash, and baked chicken, to roasted salmon.
Similar recipes
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Keep up to date with recipes by following me on:
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TWITTER
Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Kale Pesto Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped kale Note 1
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese Note 2
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Save the Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor using the blade attachment, add 3 cups kale, ¼ cup fresh basil, ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Blend until everything is broken down and smooth.
- Taste for seasoning, if needed adjust seasoning. (Note 3)
- Store the pesto in an airtight covered container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Comments
No Comments