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You are here: Home / Main Dish / Pesto Kelp Noodles (Ready in 10 Minutes)

Pesto Kelp Noodles (Ready in 10 Minutes)

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Kelp noodles are simple to prepare, loaded with health benefits, and take on the flavor of anything you pair them with.

vegan pesto kelp noodles in a white bowl with parsley

If you don’t know what kelp noodles are, it’s seaweed. They are transparent noodles that come from jelly-like extract left after steaming edible kelp. Not to mention, these noodles are gluten-free, grain-free, and very low in calories. The noodles I purchased are only 6 calories.

Benefits of kelp noodles

This sea vegetable has been gaining attention as a “Superfood”. These noodles are a good source of vitamins and nutrients including:

  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin K
  • Iodine*
WATCH ME MAKE THIS PESTO KELP NOODLE RECIPE

*Kelp is one of the best natural sources of iodine. Iodine can help you balance your hormones. The mineral iodine plays a large part in producing thyroid hormones, managing your metabolism, and aiding the woman’s body in a healthy pregnancy.

How to prepare these noodles

They are so easy to prepare. When you open the packet of noodles you will notice that they are a bit rough to the touch. All you have to do is fill a large bowl with warm water and add the noodles. Next, add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda to the water along with the juice of half a lemon. The baking soda and lemon juice create a chemical reaction that softens the noodles. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes or until your noodles reach your desired likeness.

kelp in a bowl
Dry kelp noodles
kelp in a bowl with water
Kelp in water, baking soda, & lemon juice
pesto sauce ingredients in blender
Pesto Ingredients in blender
pesto sauce in a blender
Blended pesto sauce
kelp with vegan pesto sauce with parsley in white bowl
Kelp noodles with pesto sauce & parsley

Where to buy these noodles

You can find the noodles on Amazon. Click here if you would like to check them out. I’ve had a challenging time finding them in grocery stores. Especially, with the pandemic happening right now. Update: you should be able to find them in stores like Whole Foods.

Other ways to enjoy kelp noodles

There are a variety of dishes/recipes to choose from when making kelp. I’ve listed a few options below. Eat them with seitan, buffalo cauliflower wings, grilled vegetables, roasted vegetables, tahini sauce, almond butter sauce, or chili paste.

  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Sushi
  • Lentil Pasta
  • Stir fry
  • Pad Thai
kelp, lemon, minced garlic, salt, basil, olive oil, nutritional yeast, pine nuts

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 taste 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 recipe

  1. Add fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic (I roasted my garlic but feel free to use unroasted garlic), lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and sea salt to a food processor or small blender and pulse/blend on high until the mixture forms a paste. 
  2. Add olive oil (sub for oil of your choice) a little at a time (pour in while the food processor is on, if possible) and just scrape the sides down as needed. Following that, feel free to add 1 Tbsp of water or lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency. You should have a thick but pourable pesto sauce. (If avoiding oil, substitute the oil with veggie broth or just use all water.)
  3. Do a taste test and adjust the flavor as needed, add more nuts for nuttiness, garlic for more garlic flavor, nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor, lemon juice for that lemony flavor, and sea salt for overall flavor. 
  4. This basil pesto would taste delicious with dressings, bread, soups, and so much more! 
  5. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or, pour into an ice cube tray, freeze, and store for up to 1 month or longer. 

For more details on storing fresh produce, check out my blog post with tips on maximizing fresh produce by clicking here. 

How to make kelp pasta

  1. First, soak the noodles in a large bowl with warm water. Add the juice of 1 lemon and baking soda. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the noodles are soft. Then drain and set aside while you make the vegan basil pesto sauce.
  2. Pour the basil pesto over the glass noodles and combine until everything is well coated. Enjoy!!

Common Questions About Kelp

What are kelp noodles made of?

A sea vegetable from seaweed. They’re made into noodles so they can be easily eaten.

Are kelp noodles and shirataki noodles the same?

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.

Do kelp noodles taste fishy?

No, they have a neutral flavor. Another thing that makes them great is that they take on the flavor you add to them.

Are kelp noodles keto-friendly?

Yes, kelp noodles are keto-friendly.

Can you cook kelp noodles?

You can cook them but they do not require cooking like traditional pasta.

What is the best way to soften kelp noodles?

I use lemon juice, baking soda, and warm water to soften these noodles. Get the directions in the recipe card below!

How to store kelp noodles?

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.

Are kelp noodles good for you?

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.

kelp noodles in white bowl near bowl of spinach with tomatoes

Shana’s Kitchen Essentials

Check out some of the kitchen tools & ingredients I used to make this recipe.

  • Food Processor
  • Kelp
  • Nutritional Yeast
  • Pine Nuts

Want More? Check out these recipes…

  • VEGAN LENTIL BOLOGNESE
  • EASY MUSHROOM PASTA WITH HERBS & GARLIC
  • AVOCADO TOAST WITH ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

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;-)

vegan pesto kelp noodles in a white bowl with parsley

Pesto Kelp Noodles (Ready in 10 Minutes)

Shana Thomas
This pesto kelp noodles recipe is easy to make, delicious, & low calorie. Learn how to prepare and serve these noodles for a 10-minute lunch or dinner.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian
Servings 2
Calories 120 kcal

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 or walnuts (if nut-free, try hemp seeds!)
  • 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
 

  • First, soak the kelp noodles in a large bowl with warm water. Add the juice of 1 lemon and baking soda. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the noodles are soft. Then drain and set aside to make the basil pesto sauce. 
  • Add fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic (I roasted my garlic but feel free to use unroasted garlic), lemon juice, nutritional yeast, sea salt to a food processor or small blender and pulse/blend on high until the mixture forms a paste. 
  • Add olive oil, a little at a time (pour in while the food processor is on, if possible) and just scrape the sides down as needed. Following that, feel free to add 1 Tbsp of water or lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency. You should have a thick but pourable pesto sauce. (If avoiding oil, sub the oil with veggie broth or just use all water.)
  • Do a taste test and adjust the flavor as needed, add more nuts for nuttiness, garlic for more garlic flavor, nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor, lemon juice for that lemony flavor, and sea salt for overall flavor. 
  • Pour the basil pesto over the kelp noodles and combine until everything is well coated. Enjoy!!

Video

Notes

Basil Pesto Sauce: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or, pour into ice cube tray, freeze, and store up to 1 month or longer. 
Keyword Basil Pesto Sauce, how to cook kelp noodles, Kelp Noodles,, kelp pasta, where to buy kelp noodles

Snap a photo, post it, and tag #ImWorthyRecipes and @IMWORTHYKITCHEN on Instagram



This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my affiliate notice for details. 


Originally posted in April 2020. Updated blog post in January 2022.

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Filed Under: Lunch, Main Dish, Recipes Tagged With: kelp noodles, recipe for kelp noodles, vegan basil pesto

About

Hey there, I’m Shana Thomas, food photographer, home cook, and writer behind, Im-Worthy.com. Since 2019, my goal has been to inspire you to live energetic and healthy lives with my easy vegan recipes & wellness tips.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shervia

    December 5, 2021 at 10:27 am

    5 stars
    I love pesto! My family really enjoyed this meal.

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      December 5, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing, Shervia!!

      Reply
  2. Deana

    December 5, 2021 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Looks good and very quick to make.

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      December 5, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      Yes, it’s so simple to make and the pesto is delicious.

      Reply
  3. Selenna

    December 5, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    I just love pasta and pesto can’t wait to make this again for my family. Thanks for posting yet another great recipe

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      December 5, 2021 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you, Selenna! I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe.

      Reply
  4. Maurice

    December 5, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    This is better than Kelp shake.

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      December 5, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      Ha! Happy, it turned out well.

      Reply
  5. Emily

    July 31, 2022 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    I love making these pesto kelp noodles in the summertime. They’re so good!!

    Reply
  6. Ahi

    March 12, 2023 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for this delicious gluten free pasta recipe! It’s quick, nutritious and really tasty!

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      March 12, 2023 at 12:39 pm

      Thank you so much, Ahi! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply

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Kelp is one of the best natural sources of iodine. Kelp is one of the best natural sources of iodine. Iodine can help you balance your hormones. The mineral iodine plays a large part in producing thyroid hormones and managing your metabolism.

From nutrient-rich kelp and blended with a flavorful pesto sauce, kelp noodles are the perfect addition to any healthy meal. They're low in calories, gluten-free, and packed with minerals, making them a great option for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing taste.

So why not give them a try? Head over to the site for the full recipe. I'm so excited for you to try this one;-)
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Hey there, I’m Shana Thomas, food photographer & writer behind, Im-Worthy.com. Inspiring busy women to live energetic healthy lives with my easy plant-based & vegan recipes, and wellness tips.

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