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Home » Recipe Type » Dips
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Creamy and Fresh Kale Pesto

5 minutes
garlickale
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:4/6/22
Updated:10/2/24
Jump to Recipe

Super easy kale pesto ready in 5 minutes! This creamy pesto can be used with pasta or as a spread or dip. This is great to make when you have lots of kale to use! This recipe will make about 2 cups of pesto.

kale pesto in mason jar with spoon full.

Have lots of kale? Make Kale Pesto!

Have you ever been stuck with too much kale in your fridge but have no desire to make yet another batch of Kale Chips? Sure, you could use it up in a batch of my Homemade Kale Crackers, or make Kale Pasta with Butter Sauce for dinner, or if you’d prefer something super easy…. try this pesto!

Making pesto sauce with kale is a great way to use up your leftover leafy greens if you have it in the fridge, or if you’re a gardener with just too much kale! Italian pesto sauce is traditionally made by blending basil, pine nuts, lemon juice, oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese together, but instead we’re swapping the basil for kale!

This recipe calls for 1 bunch of kale which will make 2 cups of pesto, but you can easily double or triple it if you want to make more. When we have too much kale in the garden, I will make a few batches to freeze!

glass jar filled with kale pesto with other ingredients behind it on table.

Kale pesto ingredients

  • Kale, a whole bunch of it, about 6-7 cups.
  • Nuts, use whatever you have in your kitchen: pine nuts, pistachios, cashews, or almonds all work!
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Garlic
  • Sugar
  • Salt and pepper
closeup of fresh kale

How to Make Creamy Kale Pesto

Prepare the kale by chopping it into small pieces and wash it with water. Dry it with a clean kitchen cloth or in a salad spinner, we just want to make sure it’s clean.

Place the clean kale and the rest of the pesto ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until you have a smooth sauce. If it’s too thick, add a little water to thin it out.

ingredients in food processor.

Serve the pesto right away or store it for later.

What can I do with Kale Pesto?

  • Add over spaghetti, and then stir. A little bit goes a long way!
  • Drizzle over pizza on top, or use pesto instead of pizza sauce.
  • Mix it into mashed potatoes to add some nutty flavor.
  • Use as a spread on your favorite sandwich.
  • Serve with crackers and cut vegetables as a dip.
spaghetti on plate with kale pesto on it.

Storing Pesto

To store: Add the pesto into a airtight container, or mason jar, storing it in he refrigerator. Pesto usually stays good in the fridge for a couple weeks.

To freeze: Pour pesto into ice cube trays and freeze until they are solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze, good for a couple months. To use, simply add frozen to hot dishes (it will melt quickly on hot pasta), or if using as a dip or spread, defrost in the microwave.

Pin for later:

This creamy Kale Pesto recipe swaps basil leaves for fresh kale to make a vegan pesto sauce. Use as a pasta topping, a spread or dip, or grab a spoon and dive in! This is great to make when you have lots of kale to use! This recipe will make about 2 cups of pesto.
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Fresh 5 Minute Kale Pesto

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Super easy kale pesto ready in 5 minutes! This creamy pesto can be used with pasta or as a spread or dip. This is great to make when you have lots of kale to use! This recipe will make about 2 cups of pesto.
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale cleaned and chopped, about 6-7 cups
  • 1/4 cup nuts you can use pine nuts, pistachios, cashews or almonds
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • pinch pepper

Instructions

  • Wash kale and then chop up into small pieces. Dry kale, either with a salad spinner, or pat dry with a towel.
  • Place all your ingredients into a food processor. Pulse a few times until a creamy pesto forms. If your food processor is not moving, add 2 tablespoons of water to help the blades.
  • Serve over pasta, as a dip/spread, or add to an airtight container to store in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.

Notes

This recipe makes 2 cups of pesto.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: kale pesto
Fall, Spring, Summer
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • White Bean and Roasted Pepper Soup
  • Kale Cheese Sandwich
  • Simple Potato Kale Salad
  • White Bean and Roasted Pepper Soup

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  1. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    September 13, 2013 at 6:09 pm

    Your Kale Pesto looks so fresh and healthy! So jealous of your garden!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 13, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      You can come pick kale whenever you want! 🙂

      Reply
  2. veganmiam.com says

    September 13, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    The kale pesto looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 13, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Samina | The Cupcake Confession says

    September 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    wow!!!!! This pesto looks amazing!!!! 🙂 I loveeee cashews and pistachios and can almost imagine what this pesto will taste like!!!! Delicious!!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 13, 2013 at 12:28 pm

      Thanks Samina!

      Reply
  4. Ada ~ More Food, Please says

    September 13, 2013 at 1:03 am

    This pesto recipe is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Simple and with kale! Bookmarked the recipe and will make it soon 😀 I really like the idea of using a combination of almonds, pistachios, and cashews! Pine nuts are great, but so expensive!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 13, 2013 at 11:36 am

      They’re so expensive aren’t they? I hope you give it a try Ada, enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Julie @ Table for Two says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Pesto is one of my very favorite things and your kale version sounds so good!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      Reply
  6. yummychunklet says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Great kale addition!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Stephanie says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    oooh its so green and beautiful! I have to admit that I’ve only ever had basil pesto, so in my mind pesto tastes like basil. I really need to fix that.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Enjoy Stephanie!

      Reply
  8. Sophie33 says

    September 12, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Your yummy looking kale pesto looks like it is alive,..oooh yeahh!

    I love my pestos the same way as you do but I never tried crackers topped with home-made pestos before,..That is a delish combo, I see! 🙂 MMMMMM!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      Yummy Yum Yum! My favorite snack! Hope you give it a try! It’s hard to stop though!

      Reply
  9. Abbie @ Needs Salt says

    September 12, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Oh my goodness. I love pesto!
    This looks amazing. I love Kale, but I haven’t really tried putting it in a lot of different dishes, yet. I’ve been wanting to make pesto, though, and I don’t want to steal all the basil in our garden. haha!
    I’m totally bookmarking this and pinning! 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:33 pm

      Awesome Abbie, let me know if you try it! Sure hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
  10. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    At my house, every green leaf eventually becomes a pesto! Love it with pasta and rice. We had 90º weather this past week (it’s still winter here) and now it’s raining and it’s supposed to go on until sunday… Gorgeous pics!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:33 pm

      Thanks Paula! Seems like the weather is crazy all over then!

      Reply
  11. Miss Messy says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I’d love this with pine nuts! 🙂 sounds super! I really need to make my own pesto!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Enjoy! It’s yummy!

      Reply
  12. Ash-foodfashionparty says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    Love the spin on pesto, healthy. Your pictures are so pretty.
    White noise is a must, can’t sleep without it..

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks Ash!

      Reply
  13. ashley - baker by nature says

    September 12, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I always forget we’re both in Brooklyn. OMG dude, how hot was yesterday!!!!

    Love kale pesto pizzas! Must make sooooon.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      I know, it was horrible! Today feels ick too! Enjoy this pesto!

      Reply
  14. dixya| food, pleasure, and health says

    September 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    pesto is my absolute favorite too – pine nuts are pricey so i usually use whatever I have available too usually walnuts and pistachios. Chicken pesto pizza on a thin crust happens to be my and boyfriends fav dinner 🙂 thanks for the kale version.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      Love that added chicken on the pizza! Enjoy Dixya!

      Reply
  15. Jaclyn says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Never tried kale pesto, I love the idea of putting it on crackers though!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 12:15 pm

      Hope you give it a try Jaclyn! One of my favorite snacks!

      Reply
  16. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:32 am

    I love this twist on traditional pesto! Stay cool out there.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Nicole!

      Reply
  17. Pam says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:31 am

    I love pesto too. I’ve never thought to make kale pesto – great idea! It looks super tasty.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Pam!

      Reply
  18. Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Hmmm… I don’t know if I have ever actually tried pesto… I think its going on the list to make and try 🙂 I totally understand the cat in bed thing. My HUGE male cat sits at the top of my pillow.. and if that doesn’t get me up he will bite my hair. Lovely way to wake up 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:31 am

      I totally know the feeling Laura! We have a Siamese who taps me on the chin to get under the blankets to sleep.. this is fine.. but she likes to go in and out about 10x a night, so there’s alot of taps! Hope you try the pesto!

      Reply
  19. Koko says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:09 am

    It’s super hot here too!! I will have to try this…I love pesto (especially on pizza!) but definitely have not tried making it with kale. Good idea!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:14 am

      Enjoy Koko! Hoping you stay cool!

      Reply
  20. The Café Sucre Farine says

    September 12, 2013 at 10:38 am

    It’s not only very tasty looking Pamela, it’s beautiful too! I didn’t grow up eating pesto either, only bratwurst and apple kuchen in a very German family and community 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

      For what it’s worth I could eat bratwurst every single day! 😉

      Reply
  21. Amy @ Elephant Eats says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:54 am

    Yay for more cat posts! I don’t let my cat into our bedroom at night because we wouldn’t get any sleep. She doesn’t stop moving! I think the only kind of pesto I’ve had is basil pesto. Does kale pesto taste similar? I can’t imagine what it would taste like…I def need to experiment with some diff varieties. I just hate pulling out my food processor!!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

      I definitely think it has similar tastes Amy, I hope you give it a try. We have a Siamese who is like that, she can’t get settled in for quite a bit! She needs to make sure she’s extra comfy! 😉

      Reply
  22. Francine says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:44 am

    Loooooove pesto. Never thought to use kale. Also never thought to use it in soup or with pizza or eggs. YOU’RE BLOWIN MY MIND, GIRL.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

      I’m glad Francine! Enjoy the pesto madness!

      Reply
  23. Davida @ The Healthy Maven says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:20 am

    Hello YUM! I’m so glad I’m not the only person who eats pesto as a dip…people think I’m strange for not just eating it with my pizza or pasta. I think they’re lame and missing out 😉 I think this will be an awesome recipe to trick my family into eating healthy!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Davida, they are totally missing out! You know how to do it!

      Reply
  24. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:18 am

    ughhhh, right? It was SOOO hot, like a sauna!! I haven’t tried kale pesto yet but I really want to-it’s on my list. Yours looks phenomenal!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Thanks Kayle! Enjoy!

      Reply
  25. Ashley says

    September 12, 2013 at 8:04 am

    Ooo I like this variation on pesto – I need to try this next! I love kale so I have a feeling I’d really enjoy this!

    My dog does similar things : ) She sleeps under the covers in the bed with us (spoiled!) and you’ll wake up with her wedged up against you in various places haha

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Enjoy this Ashley! Our pets sure are spoiled aren’t they? But that’s why we love them! 😉

      Reply
  26. Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says

    September 12, 2013 at 7:30 am

    Aren’t kitties just the best? ‘Our youngest insists on being the middle spoon. I wake up a million times in the night afraid we’ve squished him, but he’s just there purring away happy as can be 😀 This pesto sounds great, and I’d love to hear about your pesto pizza!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:04 am

      I totally hear you! I have a Siamese that likes to sleep down below my waist and I’m never quite sure where she is, and there’s been a few times I thought I squashed her.. but then I pull back the blankets and she’s like “Mom, I’m sleeping!”.

      Reply
  27. Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says

    September 12, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I’ve never to thought to put it in scrambled eggs…I love it on turkey sandwiches, personally, and on pasta. I am so glad you posted the nut mixture you like to use! We use pine nuts, buts its like $5 for 1/2 cup and making pesto becomes uber expensive (nuts ARE expensive, but not that expensive!) Looks so good!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:05 am

      I could go for a good turkey sandwich! That’s been a go to quick dinner for us lately.. now I’m adding pesto!

      Reply
  28. Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says

    September 12, 2013 at 6:47 am

    I love the idea of pesto kale but I think that I even love more the idea of a pesto pizza… or pesto stuffed chicken breasts, I have to try them both! x

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:05 am

      I will try to get those recipes posted sometime soon Consuelo! The chicken breasts have become a favorite in our house!

      Reply
  29. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Wonderful twist on traditional pesto, Pamela! I am with you…I need a little ‘white noise’ as they call it, a hum or whir of a fan, to help me sleep. Meanwhile, I look forward to your cat posts! We love our babies, too. They bring such joy to our lives. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:06 am

      Totally hear you, when we travel and there’s no fan we have to download a app to give us that noise! More cat posts is what you will get, my furry babies send your babies a hello!

      Reply
  30. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:10 am

    Love this new twist on pesto! I love the beautiful green! 🙂 Happy Thursday and stay cool Pamela!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Anne! Have a great Thursday too!

      Reply
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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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