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Vegan kale pesto coating pasta on a plate with visible almond flecks and fresh green texture

5 Minute Vegan Kale Pesto with Lemon and Raw Almonds

Vegan kale pesto is a quick, fresh sauce with a smooth, adaptable texture and bright lemony flavor. It is an easy recipe to make when you want a versatile green pesto for everyday meals.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 about cup - 8 servings
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Calories: 151
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups torn kale (no stems) and parsley, combined
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • juice of one lemon
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup raw almonds

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Place the kale, parsley, olive oil, salt, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor and process until the mixture becomes smooth.
  2. Add the almonds and pulse until they reach your preferred texture.
  3. Serve the pesto with pizza, pasta, crackers, eggs, salads, soup, sandwiches, or other desired pairings.

Notes

The recipe can be made with different combinations of greens, including kale alone or kale mixed with other greens or herbs. A traditional pesto often uses basil, but this version works well without it. For a non-vegan variation, Parmesan can be added, and seasoned or spicy almonds can be used in place of raw almonds for extra flavor.