Pesto doesn't have to be made from just basil! This easy kale pesto will add extra healthy greens and lots of flavor to any dish from pasta to soups.
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We found ourselves with a TON of kale in the garden. Up to our elbows. So what to do with it? Make pesto of course! Yes, you can make pesto with kale!
And so easy to make! Just zip the ingredients in the food processor and you're done. It's ready in 15 minutes and will keep in your refrigerator for a while, so make a big batch because everyone will love it!
Try this kale pesto recipe when you want to amp up the greens in a dish like Pesto Pasta without adding more volume to it.
Can't get enough pesto? Try my classic basil pesto or sage pesto recipes!
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Kale pesto ingredients and variations
My kale pesto recipe only has 7 ingredients, two of them are pantry staples. You don't need a lot of ingredients to have a lot of great flavor!
- Kale: You can use any kind of kale for this pesto recipe. I used Siberian kale because it's what we had in the garden, but it's not readily found in grocery stores.
- Fresh basil: You can still add a bit of basil to this if you have some on hand, but it's not required.
- Grated parmesan cheese: Please use real parmigiano reggiano for this recipe. The flavor is much better than what you get in that canister, and it makes all the difference.
- Garlic: You can adjust the garlic to your taste level. Just remember it is raw so it will have a bright and pungent flavor!
- Pine nuts: Pine nuts are the classic pesto choice.
- Salt and extra virgin olive oil: The amount of these two may vary slightly, depending on your taste and whether or not you cook the kale.
Variations
- Like I said, you can use any type of kale. Try curly kale or Tuscan kale.
- Parmesan cheese is a classic choice for pesto, but since we're making a non-traditional one, why not use another aged cheese like pecorino romano or grana padano?
- Pine nuts make your kale pesto creamy, but they can be expensive. I like walnuts as an affordable substitute, or try almonds or even hazelnuts. Use what you have!
- Change up the herbs! Use soft herbs like tarragon, parsley and cilantro to amp up the flavor.
How to make kale pesto
Step 1: Chop the kale and grate the cheese
Use a good chef's knife to chop the kale. Use a vegetable peeler or box grater to grate the cheese.
Step 2: Toast the nuts
Place the pine nuts (or whatever type of nuts you're using) in a small skillet over medium heat and toast gently until fragrant.
Step 3: Wilt the kale (or not)
At this point, you can add the kale to a large skillet over medium heat and quickly wilt it. You could also make the pesto with raw kale.
If you choose to cook it, once it's done, wrap it in a kitchen towel and wring out the water.
PREP TIP You can make kale pesto with raw kale or cooked kale. Since kale has a hearty texture, cooking it for just a couple of minutes can make the final product a little smoother. Cooking the kale will also intensify the bright green color and reduce any bitterness.
Step 4: Finish the kale pesto in the food processor
Add the kale, pine nuts, and ¼ cup grated parmesan to a food processor with a pinch of kosher salt. Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic directly into the food processor.
Turn the food processor on and begin to drizzle the olive oil into the mixture until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
Expert tips
- Raw kale pesto can sometimes be slightly bitter. Cooking the kale lightly, just until it wilts can take some of the bitterness out. So if you plan to use your kale pesto in recipes like sandwiches as a spread or in cold appetizers where it won't get warmed up, you may want to consider this.
- I always prefer to grate my own cheese! It will have a much deeper, richer flavor if you grate it yourself and since we only have a few ingredients in this kale pesto recipe, you want them all to shine and taste their best.
FAQs
Store kale pesto in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a layer of olive oil on top to preserve the green color. It will keep for at least 5 days.
Yes, you can freeze kale pesto - or any kind of pesto - for 6 months or more. I like to freeze it in ice cube trays, then transfer to a zip top bag, so you can just pop a cube or two into soups and sauces all year long. Get your green on and save it for a rainy day.
Yes! Just omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast in place of the parmesan.
How to use kale pesto
You can use kale pesto in any recipe where you would use classic basil pesto. It's a great way to add another green vegetable into something that you're already making!
- Try kale pesto in soups! It would taste great on top of Soupe au Pistou.
- Of course it's great in pasta! Substitute it for basil pesto in this recipe for Gnocchi with Peas and Pesto, or stir it into creamy zucchini pasta.
- Use kale pesto on sandwiches for a delicious twist. Spread it on eggplant sandwiches or serve with turkey burgers.
- Add some to vegetable side dishes like roasted cauliflower or pan fried brussels sprouts.
- Whisk a spoonful into your salad dressing!
More kale recipes
- A Massaged Kale Salad is a great way to start any meal.
- Kale Pizza with Bacon and Caramelized Onions is another way to use kale and makes comfort food seem slightly healthy?
- Tuscan White Bean Soup is an easy, warming, one pot meal.
This kale pesto recipe is simple, quick, and versatile!
- Made with just a handful of ingredients.
- Ready in 15 minutes or less!
- Endless ingredient swaps: use different cheeses, nuts or herbs.
- It's gluten free and vegetarian. Can easily be made vegan.
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Recipe
Kale Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups kale roughly chopped
- handful fresh basil optional
- 1-2 cloves garlic depending upon your taste
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Use a good chef's knife to chop the kale. Use a vegetable peeler or box grater to grate the cheese.
- Place the pine nuts (or whatever type of nuts you're using) in a small skillet over medium heat and toast gently until fragrant.
- At this point, you can add the kale to a large skillet over medium heat and quickly wilt it. You could also make the pesto with raw kale. If you choose to cook it, once it's done, wrap it in a kitchen towel and wring out the water.
- Add the kale, pine nuts, and parmesan to a food processor with a pinch of kosher salt. Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic directly into the food processor. Turn the food processor on and begin to drizzle the olive oil into the mixture until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
Notes
- Kale pesto can be frozen for up to 6 months. Freeze in ice cube trays for small servings that you can easily pop into sauces or soups.
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