• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Melrose Family
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Desserts
      • Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Popsicles
    • Small Bites
      • Appetizers
      • Healthy Snacks
      • Side Dishes
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast Ideas
  • Crafts
    • Mason Jar Ideas
    • No Sew
    • Kids Activities
  • Holidays
    • Valentine's Day Ideas
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter Ideas
    • Mother's Day Ideas
    • Father's Day Ideas
    • 4th of July Ideas
    • Halloween Ideas
    • Thanksgiving Ideas
    • Christmas Ideas
  • Mom Hacks
    • Cleaning Hacks
    • Party Planning
    • Parenting Tips
    • 21 Day Fix
  • About Us
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Lunch & Dinner Ideas
    • Desserts
    • Small Bites
      • Appetizers
      • Healthy Snacks
      • Side Dishes
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast Ideas
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
  • Mommy Stuff
    • Cleaning Hacks
    • Party Planning
    • Parenting Tips
    • 21 Day Fix
  • About Us
×
Home » Recipes » Kale and Spinach Pesto

Kale and Spinach Pesto

March 31, 2013 by Jenny 22 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
160Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Are you looking for the perfect addition to any meal? Kale and Spinach Pesto is packed full of flavor and goes well with any meal.

Kale and spinach pesto
Jump to:
  • Why you should try this Kale and Spinach Pesto?
  • Ingredients:
  • Instructions:
  • Kale & Spinach Pesto Recipe

Why you should try this Kale and Spinach Pesto?

When I think of a fresh pesto, I think of my canvas shoe planter herb garden and dream of Spring.  I'm willing Spring here even after losing our Spring break because of the number of snow days we had.  I created a fresh Kale and Spinach Pesto that is packed full of flavor and perfect over pasta, on a sandwich or as a lead ingredient in a main course dish.

Ingredients:

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Soy nuts
  • Lemon juice
  • Garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions:

To start the Kale and Spinach Pesto you'll need to blanch the kale and pesto leaves in boiling water for 3 minutes to bring out the color.  Drain the kale and spinach leaves and squeeze the extra water out of the leaves.  The next step is one of my absolute favorite things about making a pesto.  I get to use my food processor.  I love the ease of it and that's is super quick to clean up.  I often feel like I just don't get an opportunity to use it the way that I should.

kale and spinach grinded in a food processor

I was able to simply transfer the Kale and Spinach Pesto from the food processor to a air tight mason jar to refrigerate for whenever I need an extra kick in a meal.

The pesto stays good in a fridge for up to 3 days and can be stored in a freezer for up to 2 months.

kale and spinach pesto

If you are Vegan feel free to substitute the parmesan cheese in this recipe with Nutritional Yeast or any other non-dairy substitute of your choice!

kale and spinach pesto

Kale & Spinach Pesto Recipe

A Kale & Spinach Pesto with soy nuts to pack an extra punch.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: homemade pesto, kale and spinach pesto, kale pesto, pesto recipe, spinach pesto
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
Calories: 641kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz kale & spinach leaves
  • ⅓ cup soy nuts lightly salted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Chop up the kale and spinach leaves. Place in boiling water for 3 minutes to bring out the bright green color in the leaves. Drain the leaves and squeeze the excess water out of the leaves.
  • Place the leaves in the food processor. Add the ⅓ cup of the soy nuts, garlic and lemon juice. Pulse everything.
  • Use the spatula to scrape down the sides of the food processor. Parmesan cheese and salt & pepper. While pulsing again drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil.
  • Transfer the pesto to mason jar and keep refrigerated.

Nutrition

Calories: 641kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 65g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 43g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 536mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 408mg | Iron: 1mg

If you are looking for more Italian inspired meal ideas, check out this Garlic Parmesan White Sauce and this warm and delicious Rosemary Parmesan Bread.

Pin
Share
Tweet
160Shares
« Strawberry Lemon Spring Cupcakes
Strawberry Lemon Herbal Tea Slushie: A Keurig Review »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. trial offers

    September 26, 2015 at 4:17 am

    That is a very good tip particularly too those
    fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very precise information… Many
    thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

    Reply
  2. Brookmans Park estate agents

    April 22, 2015 at 3:05 am

    Thiss is the right website ffor anyone who wznts to understand this topic.

    You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a fresh spin oon a topic that's been discussed for many years.
    Great stuff, just great!

    Reply
  3. Christie - Food Done Light

    April 10, 2013 at 9:49 am

    I love that you used soy nuts! I love to find different ways to make pesto. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.

    Reply
  4. Abbey

    April 06, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Interesting idea! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  5. Trish - Mom On Timeout

    April 06, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    LOVE pesto and this looks totally amazing! Can't wait to give it a try Jenny! Pinned and thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

    Reply
  6. Jen in Jersey (soon to be Texas!)

    April 06, 2013 at 10:37 am

    Yum, can't wait to try this!

    Two questions - is that 8 ounces of kale AND 8 ounces of spinach, or 8 ounces total of spinach and kale together? And is it ounces by weight or volume?

    Reply
    • Jenny Melrose

      April 06, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      I'm sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. It was 8 oz of spinach and kale combined. I had bought a bag of spinach and kale that was mixed together so grabbed a handful and wasn't too picky on which I had more of. It was 8 oz by volume.

      Reply
  7. Louise

    April 04, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Really great recipe idea!

    Reply
  8. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses

    April 03, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    We love pesto and that sounds like a really neat, healthy combination ... I'll definitely be trying it!

    Reply
  9. Jenn

    April 02, 2013 at 12:58 am

    I love pesto but it is one of those things that I have never made myself. I'll have to try this!

    Reply
  10. Rachel @{I Love} My Disorganized Life

    April 01, 2013 at 11:41 pm

    I love pesto, but have only ever had basil pesto. I'm very excited to try this recipe!

    Reply
  11. Meghan @ The Tasty Fork

    April 01, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    I love kale & spinach! Never would have thought to use both for pesto. I'm totally making this!!

    Reply
  12. Lisa @ Wine & Glue

    April 01, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Gorgeous photos Jenny!! And I love kale and spinach! I can't wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Jenny Melrose

      April 01, 2013 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks so much Lisa. I'm working hard to improve my photos so that means so much!

      Reply
  13. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    March 31, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    What an awesome recipe Jenny! I just bought some kale for green smoothies, I'm so trying it in pesto!

    Reply
    • Jenny Melrose

      March 31, 2013 at 7:35 pm

      This was my first time buying kale. I picked it up because of the iron in it. This pesto was an absolute fluke and I'm so glad it was!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Caprese Salad with Farro | The NY Melrose Family says:
    April 13, 2015 at 6:00 am

    […] easy.  If you love fresh mozzarella and tomatoes then this Caprese Salad with Farro and homemade kale and spinach pesto, is going to become your new favorite […]

    Reply
  2. Top Green Foods for Weight Loss - FITrition 4 Life | FITrition 4 Life says:
    March 16, 2014 at 11:11 am

    […] Kale and Spinach Pesto by thenymelrosefamily.com […]

    Reply
  3. Pesto Stuffed Chicken | The NY Melrose Family says:
    August 18, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    […] a springtime recipe with all of you.  My Pesto Stuffed Chicken is packed with flavor from the Kale & Spinach Pesto, but is versatile for indoor cooking with it’s crispy crust that is pan fried and then baked […]

    Reply
  4. What’s in Season: April says:
    June 14, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    [...] Dressing Quick Collard Green Saute Caramelized Fennel and Apple Tart Healthy Noodle Vegetable Salad Kale and Spinach Pesto Bacon and Peas with Orzo Rhubarb Buckle Parmesan Garlic Roasted [...]

    Reply
  5. Tortellini Salad Recipe says:
    June 12, 2013 at 9:01 am

    [...] 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar and a tablespoon of pesto.  I love this recipe because I get to use my Kale & Spinach Pesto, which I always have on hand.  You can buy jarred pesto, but you’ll be shocked at how easy [...]

    Reply
  6. Pesto Stuffed Chicken - Whats Cooking With Ruthie says:
    April 12, 2013 at 7:02 am

    [...] Pesto Stuffed Chicken is packed with flavor from the Kale & Spinach Pesto, but is versatile for indoor cooking with it’s crispy crust that is pan fried and then baked [...]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Jennifer Anderson Hey, I’m Jenny! As a working mom, I understand the importance of saving time and money. My hope is that my blog brings you countless resources for great, fast recipes and easy cleaning, health and DIY tips. MORE ABOUT ME »

Looking for Something?

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Popular

  • a bowl of apple sauce in a glass bowl container placed in a wooden table with real apples beside it
    10 Best Applesauce Substitutes for Baking
  • a bag full of purple foods placed in a brown bag and in a pink table with a person wearing black gloves arranging it.
    24 Purple Foods You’ll Love Eating
  • a food montly planner, recipe book and a black pen placed in a wooden table
    Monthly Meal Plan: The Secret to Stress-Free Family Dinners
  • one bundle of dill placed in a wooden table
    10 Best Dill Substitute Ideas for Easy Last-Minute Swaps

Footer

Home About Privacy Policy Contact

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

2010 – 2021 The Melrose Family. All Rights Reserved.

Get a FREE Recipe E-book!

Sign up with your email and get access to our all time favorite Recipes!