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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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:
Fresh 5 Minute Kale Pesto
PrintIngredients
- 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.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Your Kale Pesto looks so fresh and healthy! So jealous of your garden!
Pamela says
You can come pick kale whenever you want! 🙂
veganmiam.com says
The kale pesto looks amazing!
Pamela says
Thanks!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
wow!!!!! This pesto looks amazing!!!! 🙂 I loveeee cashews and pistachios and can almost imagine what this pesto will taste like!!!! Delicious!!!! 🙂
Pamela says
Thanks Samina!
Ada ~ More Food, Please says
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!
Pamela says
They’re so expensive aren’t they? I hope you give it a try Ada, enjoy!
Julie @ Table for Two says
Pesto is one of my very favorite things and your kale version sounds so good!
Pamela says
Thanks Julie!
yummychunklet says
Great kale addition!
Pamela says
Thanks!
Stephanie says
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.
Pamela says
Enjoy Stephanie!
Sophie33 says
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!
Pamela says
Yummy Yum Yum! My favorite snack! Hope you give it a try! It’s hard to stop though!
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
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! 🙂
Pamela says
Awesome Abbie, let me know if you try it! Sure hope you enjoy it.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
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!
Pamela says
Thanks Paula! Seems like the weather is crazy all over then!
Miss Messy says
I’d love this with pine nuts! 🙂 sounds super! I really need to make my own pesto!
Pamela says
Enjoy! It’s yummy!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Love the spin on pesto, healthy. Your pictures are so pretty.
White noise is a must, can’t sleep without it..
Pamela says
Thanks Ash!
ashley - baker by nature says
I always forget we’re both in Brooklyn. OMG dude, how hot was yesterday!!!!
Love kale pesto pizzas! Must make sooooon.
Pamela says
I know, it was horrible! Today feels ick too! Enjoy this pesto!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
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.
Pamela says
Love that added chicken on the pizza! Enjoy Dixya!
Jaclyn says
Never tried kale pesto, I love the idea of putting it on crackers though!
Pamela says
Hope you give it a try Jaclyn! One of my favorite snacks!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I love this twist on traditional pesto! Stay cool out there.
Pamela says
Thanks Nicole!
Pam says
I love pesto too. I’ve never thought to make kale pesto – great idea! It looks super tasty.
Pamela says
Thanks Pam!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
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 🙂
Pamela says
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!
Koko says
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!!
Pamela says
Enjoy Koko! Hoping you stay cool!
The Café Sucre Farine says
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 🙂
Pamela says
For what it’s worth I could eat bratwurst every single day! 😉
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
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!!!
Pamela says
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! 😉
Francine says
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.
Pamela says
I’m glad Francine! Enjoy the pesto madness!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
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!
Pamela says
Davida, they are totally missing out! You know how to do it!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
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!
Pamela says
Thanks Kayle! Enjoy!
Ashley says
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
Pamela says
Enjoy this Ashley! Our pets sure are spoiled aren’t they? But that’s why we love them! 😉
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
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!
Pamela says
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!”.
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
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!
Pamela says
I could go for a good turkey sandwich! That’s been a go to quick dinner for us lately.. now I’m adding pesto!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
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
Pamela says
I will try to get those recipes posted sometime soon Consuelo! The chicken breasts have become a favorite in our house!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
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!
Pamela says
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!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Love this new twist on pesto! I love the beautiful green! 🙂 Happy Thursday and stay cool Pamela!
Pamela says
Thanks Anne! Have a great Thursday too!