In the kitchen, pesto kelp noodles shine with simplicity, deliver a wealth of health benefits, and effortlessly absorb the flavors of your culinary creations.
Benefits of kelp noodles
Embracing the spotlight as a culinary gem, kelp is on the rise in the world of superfoods.
- Rich in Essential Nutrients: Packed with vitamins and minerals, kelp provides a nourishing boost to your diet.
- Low in Calories: Enjoy guilt-free indulgence as these noodles are low in calories, making them a smart choice for a light and satisfying meal.
- Promotes Thyroid Health: Kelp is a natural source of iodine, supporting thyroid function and overall well-being.
How to make pesto kelp noodles
- Simply open the packet, noting its slightly rough texture.
- Place the noodles in a large bowl filled with warm water.
- Enhance softness by adding a couple of teaspoons of baking soda and the juice of half a lemon to the water.
- The chemical reaction between baking soda and lemon juice works its magic in about 10 minutes, leaving you with noodles of your preferred texture.
- Drain the noodles from the lemon juice and baking soda mixture. Drizzle the pesto sauce on the noodles for added flavor.
Recipe Pairings & Variation Ideas
- Pair these versatile noodles with fresh, vibrant salads or roasted veggies for a delightful and healthy meal.
- To discover your favorite flavor combination, experiment with sauces like tangy sun-dried tomato or creamy garlic alfredo.
- Try recipes that incorporate these noodles into Mediterranean-inspired pasta dishes or zesty Thai noodle salads.
- These noodles make a great addition to Asian-inspired dishes, such as sesame ginger stir-fries or teriyaki bowls.
Vegan basil pesto ingredients
These are the ingredients I used to make this pesto vegan. However, there are a variety of ingredients you can use to make pesto. Here are a few ideas to give you some inspiration.
- fresh basil: I love using fresh basil. However, feel free to mix up your greens. You can do half and half the basil, spinach, kale, or parsley.
- pine nuts: I used pine nuts for this recipe. But any nuts you like work well for this recipe. Swap the pine nuts for walnuts, cashews, or almonds. If you’re nut-free, try hemp seeds or sunflower seeds.
- garlic cloves: garlic adds tons of flavor. Roasted garlic tastes even better in this recipe.
- lemon juice: adds a nice floral essence.
- nutritional yeast: to get that similar umami flavor to conventional cheese then add nutritional yeast. More ways to create more umami flavor are with capers and sun-dried tomatoes.
- sea salt: brings out the flavors within the pesto.
- extra virgin olive oil: swap for any oil of your choice. I love olive oil because it has excellent flavor and many health benefits.
Vegan basil pesto instructions
- In a food processor or blender, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and sea salt until it forms a paste.
- Gradually add olive oil, scraping down the sides as needed. Optionally, use water or lemon juice for a thinner consistency.
- Adjust the taste by adding more nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, or salt to your liking.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze them in an ice cube tray for longer storage.
Common Questions About Kelp
Get them easily on Amazon or at your local Whole Foods, making them a convenient pantry addition.
A sea vegetable from seaweed. They’re made into noodles so they can be easily eaten.
Kelp noodles are made from seaweed. Shirataki noodles, also known as konjac noodles, are made from glucomannan flour mixed with water and some pickling lime.
No, they have a neutral flavor. Another thing that makes them great is that they take on the flavor you add to them.
Yes, they are keto-friendly.
You can cook them but they do not require cooking like traditional pasta.
I use lemon juice, baking soda, and warm water to soften these noodles. Get the directions in the recipe card below!
Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Or, store them in the container in the freezer for up to a couple of months.
Kelp has lots of nutrients as mentioned above. Also, they’re fat-free, gluten-free, and low in carbs. In addition, they’re low in calories.
More delicious plant-based recipes:
Leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram and let me know how you like this pesto kelp noodles recipe. I’d love to hear from you;-)
Pesto Kelp Noodles (Ready in 10 Minutes)
Ingredients
Pesto Kelp Noodles
- 12 oz kelp noodles
- 1 juice of lemon
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- warm water enough to cover kelp noodles
- pesto sauce see recipe below
Basil Pesto Sauce
- 2 cups fresh basil (large stems removed)
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 3 large cloves garlic (peeled)
- juice of ½ lemon
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 3 tbsp olive oil (plus more if needed)
- 3 tbsp water or more lemon juice (plus more as needed)
- black pepper and garlic powder (optional) to taste
Instructions
- Open the packet of kelp noodles, feeling their slightly rough texture. Place the noodles in a large bowl of warm water.
- Soften the noodles by adding baking soda and lemon juice, creating a chemical reaction that works in about 10 minutes. Drain the noodles from the lemon juice and baking soda mixture.
- Prepare the pesto sauce by blending basil, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and sea salt in a food processor. Gradually add olive oil, adjusting the consistency with water or lemon juice if desired.
- Fine-tune the taste by adding more nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, or salt according to your preference.
- Pour the pesto sauce over the noodles, and if you like, add your preferred veggies and a sprinkle of extra nutritional yeast for added flavor.
Video
Notes
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I love pesto! My family really enjoyed this meal.
That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing, Shervia!!
You are awesome and your recipes are a life saver for my family…quick, easy, and delicious! Keep up the good work.
Hi Tomeko, I’m so happy these recipes are working out for you and your family. Thank you for this valuable feedback.
Looks good and very quick to make.
Yes, it’s so simple to make and the pesto is delicious.
I just love pasta and pesto can’t wait to make this again for my family. Thanks for posting yet another great recipe
Thank you, Selenna! I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe.
This is better than Kelp shake.
Ha! Happy, it turned out well.
I love making these pesto kelp noodles in the summertime. They’re so good!!
Thank you for this delicious gluten free pasta recipe! It’s quick, nutritious and really tasty!
Thank you so much, Ahi! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe.