Whole30 Homemade Kale Pesto

Transform your meals with the vibrant, nutrient-packed goodness of Whole30 Homemade Kale Pesto! This dairy-free, gluten-free recipe swaps traditional Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a cheesy, umami flavor that’s 100% Whole30-approved. Made with fresh kale and basil, creamy sunflower seeds, zesty lemon juice, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, this pesto is both healthful and irresistibly silky. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect as a sauce for zoodles, a topping for roasted vegetables, or a dip for grilled proteins. Packed with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients, this kale pesto is a must-have condiment to elevate your Whole30 journey!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Roughly chop the kale and basil leaves, and peel the garlic cloves.

Step 3

In a food processor, add the chopped kale, basil, garlic cloves, and sunflower seeds. Pulse several times to combine and break the mixture down.

Step 4

Add the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice according to your taste preference.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Use the Whole30 kale pesto as a sauce, dip, or dressing. It pairs well with zoodles, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(494.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1463.3

Total Fat 139.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1312.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 43.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 3.7g
Protein 26.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 479.1mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 1972.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 81.8%

Protein: 6.8%

Carbs: 11.4%