Whole30 Homemade Kale Pesto
Brighten up your meals with this *Whole30 Homemade Kale Pesto*, a nutrient-packed, dairy-free twist on the classic recipe! Featuring fresh kale and basil as the star ingredients, this vibrant pesto is blended to perfection with zesty lemon juice, garlic, sunflower seeds, and the savory flavor of nutritional yeast for a completely plant-based and Whole30-compliant option. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a versatile sauce that's perfect for tossing with zoodles, drizzling over roasted vegetables, or adding a punch of flavor to grilled meats. With no cheese and a creamy olive oil base, this kale pesto is not only wholesome but also perfect for meal prep, as it stores beautifully for weeklong convenience. Healthy, delicious, and simple—this recipe will be your new go-to for clean eating!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh kale leaves
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
Instructions
Start by washing the kale and basil leaves thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or pesticide residues. Pat them dry with a clean towel or salad spinner.
Roughly chop the kale and basil leaves, and peel the garlic cloves.
In a food processor, add the chopped kale, basil, garlic cloves, and sunflower seeds. Pulse several times to combine and break the mixture down.
Add the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Continue to blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides several times to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice according to your taste preference.
Transfer the kale pesto to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Use the Whole30 kale pesto as a sauce, dip, or dressing. It pairs well with zoodles, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1463 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 139.6 g | 179% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.7 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1312 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.8 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.7 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 26.2 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 479 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 7.6 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 1972 mg | 42% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
