Easy Kale Pesto Sauce made in minutes. It’s so much better than store-bought. If your garden is flourishing with lots of fresh kale, this is the recipe for you. Vibrant, bright, nutrient-rich and so versatile. It’s a less expensive pesto option.
Kale is a healthy ingredient with a nice peppery flavour. It can be used to make kale soup and add crunch to a turkey wrap. Add it to smoothies, great in salads and stir-fries too. Make kale chips for a healthy snack. It is available all year round in the grocery store.
Authentic pesto ingredients. This pesto sauce uses kale in place of basil. Homemade pesto is a great substitute for pasta sauce. Use it as a spread, add to dips, and more.
My daughter and son-in-law planted some kale in their garden, and it has flourished. We have been enjoying it in so many delicious ways.
This leafy green cabbage-like vegetable is so versatile. You can enjoy it raw, or cooked. It has a high nutrient content, and like other cruciferous vegetables, it is a source of antioxidants, vitamins, and more.
Some people find kale to be on the bitter side. Removing the stalks, massaging the leaves with oil before using it in a salad, or cooking it will help reduce the bitter taste.
Since we try to eat a few meatless meals during the week, I decided to make some homemade pesto. The perfect topping for pasta! Low-carb, gluten-free, and you can also make it vegan and dairy-free.
What’s In Pesto Sauce?
Super simple ingredients. I often find the easiest recipes are the tastiest.
- fresh kale
- fresh basil
- parmesan cheese
- garlic
- pine nuts
- Italian seasoning
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- water
Since my herb garden is growing like crazy, I added just a touch of basil to this pesto recipe. You can omit that if you like. Check out the recipe tips and suggestions below.
Speaking of a herb garden, you might also like to try this recipe for parsley sauce. If you thought parsley was only for garnish, this will change your mind.
How To Make Kale Pesto
Made in minutes, this easy pesto recipe will impress your family. Full instructions are in the recipe card.
- Rinse the kale and basil. Set aside.
- Measure all the ingredients. Set aside.
- Add the kale, basil, and seasonings to a food processor.
- Pulse until finely minced.
- Add the lemon juice and pulse.
- Drizzle in the oil and mix until combined.
- Add water to thin.
If you have never made pesto from scratch, you are in for a treat. Not only is it super easy, the aroma is amazing.
I did not add salt to the recipe, since I find the cheese salty enough. Adjust the cheese and seasonings to your taste. Adding more oil or water will help create the perfect consistency. If you are using it as a spread, you may want it on the thinner side.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
- Kale is the main ingredient in this pesto recipe. As an alternative, you can use basil or even parsley.
- Pine nuts can be replaced with walnuts, almonds, or pepitas. You can even toast the nuts for more flavour.
- Olive oil can be replaced with avocado oil.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced with salt and pepper, or Greek seasoning. If you would like a kick of heat, add some red chili flakes.
- Vegan options are using vegan cheese, or replacing the cheese with nutritional yeast.
Store in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge. It will last for about 5 days.
Freeze pesto for up to 6 months. Place in freezer-proof containers or use ice cube trays for the perfect portion serving.
Do you warm pesto? It can be used as is. Just add to hot pasta for the perfect topping.
How much per individual serving? That is your choice, I would recommend 1 – 2 tablespoons per person.
Kale Pesto Meal Ideas
- Toss it over warm pasta.
- Use it as a pizza sauce.
- Use as a pesto spread for sandwiches, burgers, and sausages.
- Add it to dips.
- Layer over chicken, seafood, or other meats.
- A great seasoning for steamed or grilled vegetables.
- Use it to make marinated chickpeas.
- The perfect food gift idea.
Looking for more meatless sauces to try? Here are a few:
Homemade Pesto Sauce With Kale
Ingredients
- 2 ounces curly leaf kale stems removed, roughy chopped
- ½ ounce fresh basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons parmesen cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water optional, to thin out
Instructions
- Wash and remove inner ribs from kale, you only want the leaf portion. Roughly chop.
- Rinse the basil and remove the leaves from the stem.
- Add the kale, basil, pine nuts, cheese, garlic and seasoning into the bowl of a food processor.
- Place on the lid and pulse until you have a finely minced mixture.
- Add the lemon juice, and pulse.
- With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil. Process until combined. If the mixture is too thick, or you want it to be a thinner consistency, drizzle in 1-2 tablespoons of water.
- Place the pesto in a airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
Jamie
I had a bunch of dinosaur kale so made this pesto using it and it turned out fabulous! Went great with some bowtie pasta for lunch!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Kale grows so well, and quickly, glad you found this recipe useful.
Katie Crenshaw
This is such a great way to use up some of my kale and sneak in some extra vitamins. This pesto turned out delicious.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, anytime you can sneak in some nutrition is a winner for sure.
DK
Tried doing this Kale Pesto Sauce, and I definitely love it! Never thought I’d honestly like this green twist! It’s so quick and easy to do too, will be doing more of it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It is a nice twist to the classic pesto for sure.
Vicky
What a clever idea to use kale! It turned out wonderful, so tasty! Will make again soon!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We really enjoyed this kale pesto too.
Carrie Robinson
Such a great idea to make pesto using kale! 🙂 I just love adding unexpected greens to recipes. Looks delicious.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The more greens the better, and this is a great way to eat kale for sure.
Lauren
I made this kale pesto with kale and basil from my garden. It was SO good! Will definitely be making another batch soon.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have been making it too with kale fresh from the garden. So easy.
Bernice
YUM! I love pestos of all kinds and kale pesto is a great way to get extra greens in your diet. I am not a fan of pine nuts so I used walnuts. It’s easy to make and freezes well. Great recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
By all means switch up the nuts, walnuts is a great choice.
Genevieve
I’ve never thought to use kale as a the base for pesto but that’s actually genius and I can’t wait to try this with Kale from my garden!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It is a great alternative to basil, and cost effect too. Works great in the winter as well.
Catalina
I made the Kale Pesto Sauce and it was a game changer! The earthy flavor of the kale combined with the garlic and Parmesan was just perfect. I’ll definitely be using this on everything from pasta to sandwiches!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is a great pesto recipe, and a fun twist on the classic.
Nora
Easy and flavorful pesto sauce! The whole family loved it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed this easy to make pesto sauce using kale.
Claudia
I’ve made this Italian kale pesto sauce and it’s fantastic! The kale adds a great twist to the classic pesto flavor.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It is a fun twist on traditional pesto, and super easy to make.
Juyali
This sauce is a green dream and a healthy twist on a classic. It turned perfect. Thanks
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. It sure is a great way to enjoy kale.
Amy Liu Dong
I have never thought of using kale to make pesto sauce, but this one sounds like a great substitute for basil. I will make this at home to taste it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
If you love pesto, you really need to give this a try.
Liz
We had loads of kale in the garden and I’m so glad I found your recipe! This pesto was fabulous on pasta–made a great meal!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This kale pesto is the perfect topping for pasta.
Veronika
Such a delicious way to get some extra greens in! We always have too much kale in the summer so this is perfect and much more budget-friendly than basil pesto.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, this is a great way to get more greens into our meals.
Loreto and Nicoletta
Kale is quite plentiful this year, and this is a lovely way to use it. Love the color you achieved, and pesto is such a delicioys way to dress pasta. Great share! ❤️ 👍 😋
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I do agree, simple dishes like pesto pasta are still our favourites.