Vegan pesto made with vitamin rich kale!! You’ll be amazed how flavorful and delicious a completely dairy free pesto can be! Whole30 and keto friendly, this basil garlic sauce will add loads of flavor to a variety of dishes!
Dairy free pesto is totally possible! I had to find a way to enjoy this favorite sauce while still eliminating dairy, and this recipe worked like a charm!
My girls are obsessed with pesto noodles, and this recipe is what convinced them!
Now, when I get store bought pesto for a time saver…they turn their noses up at it and wonder where to ‘good stuff’ is!
How to use your dairy free vegan pesto:
there are SO many awesome ways to utilize this sauce. It add instant flavor to a variety of cooked foods. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
- This keto pesto casserole with, chicken, and bacon is addicting!
- Mixed into a vinaigrette
- As a topping for sweet potatoes
- Tossed with any roasted or cooked veggies, like these brussel sprouts, or this sauteed broccoli.
- Mixed in with mayonnaise for a tasty sandwich spread or steamed artichoke dip!
- As a fun addition to tuna casserole
- Mixed in some scrambled eggs
- Use it to top this baked pesto salmon for a healthy dinner!
What about you? What creative ways do you like to use YOUR pesto?
Need more convincing? Read this informative article on the health benefits of kale!
Here are some favorite kale recipes:
Vegan Pesto Recipe:
If you try this dairy free pesto, be sure to come back and leave a comment!
Vegan Kale Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup kale leaves, steamed, about 3-4 minutes in my steamer
- 6 tablespoons pine nuts toasted (may soak for 7 or more hours first to increase digestibility)
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2-3 small cloves garlic raw garlic is so powerful, I am careful with it!
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth!
Notes
Nutrition
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I love the creative ideas for how to use the pesto! I need to be a bit more inventive with kale. I have used it in a salad but often I just end up adding a little to a vegetable stew.
Our favorite is kale chips Corina!! My kids can;t get enough of them!!
hmmm….an interesting recipe – i’ve got to try this one!
We love it, and so do many others who have tried it!!
I tried this recipe yesterday for our party, and it was a huge hit! This is now bookmarked as my go-to vegan pesto recipe. Thanks!! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback Justin, love to get it and hear it!!
Tessa, you beat me to it. I have kale in the fridge and I’m going to make pesto. I’m trying it with walnuts so I’ll let you know how I go. Yours looks delicious. Thanks for linking up to Thriving on Thursday.
Anne xx
This sounds so yummy, Tessa! Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays!
Wow!!! I’m so impressed! This is delicious!! And, to be able to make a vegan pesto taste cheesy, I never would have thought possible. Thanks for posting this!
Of course beia! Glad you like it too!
This looks like a great book. The kale I planted last year has been doing well despite me giving it no attention so I’m definitely up for some recipes for my free food. I adore pesto so this is such a great way to make the pesto stretch a bit further.
I am a kale lover, the book and recipe look awesome!! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
We have a Gluten Free gift basket giveaway this week! One lucky winner will score an awesome basket, just in time for Mothers Day!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
This sounds AMAZING 🙂 A great way to include KALE into your diet!
I recently discovered the delightful companion pine nuts can be to kale — your recipe here includes some fab flavors! Thanks for sharing this on Hearth & Soul Hop. 🙂
Another great use for kale! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try 🙂
Your pesto recipe sounds amazing. I love pesto and I love kale, so this is definitely going to happen in my kitchen soon. Thanks for sharing this!
What a tasty way to eat more kale! I’ll have to try this. 🙂
Thanks!
I adore pesto of every kind and can’t believe that I haven’t tried a version with kale in it yet. Thanks so much for sharing! I can’t wait to download my new kale e-book!!!
Hi Tessa,
Looks so amazing! I LOVE pesto. What a great recipe packed full of nutrition!! Can’t wait for all the recipes. 🙂
Hugs,
–Am
In this recipe can I omit nutritional yeast? I am very sensitive to yeast.
Thanks,
Lynn
sure Lynn…it will change the flavor of course, but still be good!
I’ve never used nutritional yeast in pesto, but that’s a great idea for making it taste more “cheesy.” Thanks so much for being a part of the kale e-book launch, Tessa! Here’s to eating more kale all year round, yes? 🙂
xo
Hallie
Mmmm–kale pesto! One of my favorites (especially on pizza–hooboy!). Yours sounds delish, too. Added to my “must try” list! 🙂