cleanse/ recipes/ salads + greens

Kale Detox Salad w/ Pesto

Kale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and Full

Another healthy, green recipe for January! Although, I feel like once it hits the second week, we all stop talking about our resolutions and whatnot. But I actually just wrote an article for MindBodyGreen about “detoxing” and what it really means. (Although please note that I am NOT a health professional, just a humble nutrition student! Always consult your doctor before starting any dietary changes!)

Detoxing was in vogue a few year ago, but now it’s kind of lost its steam as body positivity has come more into the light. Which I want to address – you can be body positive AND want to eat healthier. One does not preclude the other. And I am all for body positivity AND eating healthy. But it’s important to mention that TRUE detoxing happens in the body already – your body actually has a very efficient system for removing toxins. A juice cleanse is not a real detox. However, we CAN make it easier for our bodies by eating the nutrients it needs for these detoxifying processes to happen – i.e. foods that aid in digestion and elimination, foods that promote liver health, etc. But let me stress again that the foods are NOT the detox themselves – they’re just helping the body do what it already does.


Enter this kale detox salad. The overarching principle behind this salad being a “detox” salad is that it’s super green, which means chlorophyll. I love talking about chlorophyll as a detoxifying agent because it’s one of the best things you can have for your liver. Without getting too science-y, chlorophyll helps increase the activity of Phase II Biotransformation Enzymes, which have been shown to help remove toxins and carcinogens from the body. So basically, eat green and help your liver.

But I had to make this salad delicious, because what’s the point of eating it if it’s not delicious?! It’s got roasted potatoes and carrots, brown rice for fiber, chickpeas (of course), and lacinato kale – all topped with a deliciously chloro-filled (see what I did there!?) green pesto. It’s delicious, AND good for your bod! I hope you all love it!

Kale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and FullKale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and FullKale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and FullKale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and Full

Detox Kale Salad w/ Pesto | Well and Full

Kale Detox Salad w/ Pesto

This kale detox salad is the perfect meal for a cleanse, made with whole, real ingredients. Made with a mouthwatering carrot top pesto and roasted vegetables.
4.97 from 29 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 2 as a Main, 3-4 as a Side

Ingredients
  

Carrot Top Pesto

  • Tops of 1 Bunch Carrots
  • 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Pepper
  • Juice from 1/2 a Lemon

Roasted Veg

  • 1 Lb Fingerling Potatoes cut into rounds
  • 3-4 Large Purple Carrots cut into rounds
  • 1 15 oz Can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • A Generous Drizzle of Olive Oil
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 Tsp Dried Basil
  • 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • Few Sprinkles of Dried Thyme

The Rest of the Salad

  • A Few Handfuls Lacinato Kale Sliced Thin
  • 1 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
  • Sliced Jalapeño if desired
  • Sesame Seeds if desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Prep vegetables - wash and dry carrots and potatoes. Cut both into rounds (disks), about 1/4 inch thick.
  • In a bowl, combine chopped potatoes, carrots, and chickpeas. Add in olive oil and spices, and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
  • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake vegetables + chickpeas for 45-50 minutes. When they're done cooking, remove from oven and let cool.
  • While vegetables are cooking, make pesto - combine all ingredients into a food processor and process on high until a slightly smooth pesto is formed.
  • In a bowl, mix thinly sliced lacinato kale and pesto until kale is evenly covered. Then, add in roasted vegetables + chickpeas and brown rice. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
  • Serve in bowls and top with sesame seeds.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

If you can't find lacinato (Tuscan) kale, any other hardy green will do - like chard, regular kale, or collard greens.
Also, for this recipe I use my Cuisinart Food Processor (affiliate link). This food processor is great and I use it in my kitchen multiple times a week. I highly recommend it!

Kale Detox Salad | Well and Full | #vegan #recipe #detox #cleanse

Kale Detox Salad w/ Pesto | Well and Full

Quote of the Day:

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

– Oscar Wilde

 

131 Comments

  • Reply
    Abby @ Heart of a Baker
    January 19, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Ohh the combo of roasted veggies and kale here has me drooling! I used to think that I didn’t really like salads, but it turns out I just hadn’t found the right ones for me, which usually include chickpeas :) So excited to hear more about your journey in school! xo

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm

      I love incorporating chickpeas and grains into salads, it makes them so much better!! :D Thanks Abby!!

      • Reply
        Talei
        May 25, 2023 at 2:01 am

        hi sarah. what can i use if i cant gey a hold of carrot tops where i am

        • Reply
          Sarah
          June 5, 2023 at 11:42 am

          Hey Talei, try using parsley instead of the carrot tops! It has a similar flavor :)

  • Reply
    Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    January 19, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    So true what you said about detoxing! It can be just because you want to eat healthy not because you want to make up for a bunch of bad decisions.

    This salad has got to be the sexiest detox I’ve ever seen. Those crispy potatoes and that carrot top pesto are making me drool!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm

      Awww thanks Sarah!!

  • Reply
    annie
    January 20, 2017 at 11:46 am

    Wow wowoww. Heck yes on the chickpeas and potatoes for extra heartiness. I need to try carrot top pesto….my problem is I like the way they taste plain (well, blanched a little) that I just want to eat them like that. I never have the patience to turn them into pesto, even though I know it would be amazing.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 20, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      If you like them plain then you’d definitely like the pesto!! You should try it!!

  • Reply
    Veronika
    January 20, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    I definitely wish I could reach through the screen for this one omg. I’ve never heard of pesto made with carrot tops, heck I’ve never even put those in a salad! Definitely need to break my habit of eating the same salad every day and try this!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 20, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      You should definitely try it, Veronika! It’s so good!! :D

  • Reply
    Molly
    January 20, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    SARAH! This is so beautiful!! I adore crispy chickpeas!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 21, 2017 at 10:19 am

      They’re the best!! :D

  • Reply
    Maya | Spice + Sprout
    January 21, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Sarah, this salad is absolutely beautiful !!! I have a complicated relationship with the terms “cleanse” and “detox”. I am totally on board for people eating healthy foods and doing what is best for their bodies, but sometimes I feel like the concept of a cleanse is another way to tell women that their bodies are somehow dirty or wrong and need to be altered. Not even in a weight loss sense, but merely the words used seem to express another thing women need to change about their bodies and it makes me uncomfortable. Especially the contrasting words of “cleanse” and “dirt”, ya know?

    I know that this is not at all what you’re saying here! I am just curious to hear your thoughts on this because I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I value your opinion <3

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 21, 2017 at 11:19 pm

      Hmmm…the words “cleanse” or “detox” have never really offended me, because I love taking periods of time when I eat super healthy (meaning whole, unprocessed foods). It’s not necessarily about what you’re actually eating…. it’s about the mental effects of doing it. For me, it’s more that I KNOW I ate really healthy, which gives me confidence. And it’s true that some foods add to your body’s overall function, and others detract from it. That’s just science; something I’m learning about in my nutrition classes. For example, certain foods are more apt to add to your fat stores. Is that a bad thing? NO… it just IS. Not necessarily bad or good. But where I DO take issue is when people shame each other or judge each other’s eating choices. Any sort of commentary on your eating habits should only be given by a doctor or medical professional. Anyways, that’s my two cents on the matter… I’d love to hear what you think about it because I really respect your opinion as well! <3

      • Reply
        Maya | Spice + Sprout
        January 22, 2017 at 7:39 pm

        Yeah I totally hear you! I feel like everything you are doing here is amazing and I also love to think about the healthy foods I eat. It definitely makes me feel better in my body! I guess I was referring more to some mainstream ideas of cleansing and detoxing that feel less grounded in science (which I am totally interested in learning more about) and more in a type of shaming like you said. I guess it feels like those words are associated with people telling other people what to eat. But maybe if we all start talking about them as you are and referring to the actual science, that association will become less strong :)

        • Reply
          Sarah
          January 23, 2017 at 4:48 pm

          Oh yeah, mainstream ideas about how a juice cleanse will “detox” your liver is absurd. It’s not science-based at all. Of course, drinking and eating healthy foods will HELP your body in its natural detoxification process, but they are aids and not the process itself. ;)

  • Reply
    Ashley
    January 21, 2017 at 5:46 pm

    Your photography has been so dreamy lately! I am totally inspired to up my photo game now! And this salad is so cozy and definitely more exciting than typical “health food.” Looking forward to your upcoming posts as you learn more about the amazing healing power of food in your nutrition courses =)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 21, 2017 at 11:20 pm

      Aww thanks for your note about my photography, Ashley!! I’ve been working really hard on it so it’s nice to be noticed. :) :) And I’ll definitely be posting more about my nutrition classes!!

  • Reply
    Karlie
    January 22, 2017 at 7:40 am

    Love the information about detoxing! Thanks Sarah <3 and that last photo of the purple carrots.. swoon

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 22, 2017 at 9:07 am

      Aren’t those purple carrots gorgeous?? :D Thanks Karlie! <3

  • Reply
    Alex
    January 23, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    Yay for chlorophyll! And thank you for clearing up this whole detox myth… I think the trend has gotten way out of control.

    I love that you roasted the veg and the chickpeas together! I would not have thought of that :)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 23, 2017 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks Alex!! And honestly, I just roasted them together so I only had to use one pan ;)

  • Reply
    Traci | Vanilla And Bean
    January 24, 2017 at 11:04 am

    For so long, when I was much younger, I thought detox was a destination. Something you did once or twice a year by staying on juice, nothing but salads for a week or getting a meal from a corporation by way of a powder, in a carton or box. But, I’ve learned overtime, it’s a way of life… a way of eating whole foods and making sure they are mostly plants (some would agree only plants). The labels always get me because they can be misinterpreted. Words like plant based, vegetarian, vegan, detox, paleo… but as bloggers, I guess it’s important to point out what our point is whether in a title, summary or about section. I just want to eat good food (and this is defined broadly, I realize, each having their own definition), and a variety of it with balance left in for indulgences and sweets. I love so much about this gorgeous salad, especially since I saw jalapeños! And brown rice is one of my favorite bases for salad… short grain even better! Delicious work Sarah!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 24, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Thank you for your thoughtful note, Traci :) I love sweet short grain brown rice too! It’s so chewy and delicious :)

  • Reply
    Deborah
    January 27, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Absolutely no mention of how much kale…?!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 27, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      Hi Deborah, the intent was for you to use as much kale as you like, because everyone has a different preference. But to clarify, I updated it to say “a few handfuls” :)

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Amy
    February 26, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    Is this good cold?

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 26, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      Hi Amy! I personally prefer my salads at room temperature, but you might like it cold if you like cold foods. For example, I hate cold pizza out of the fridge… But I’m not sure what your preferences are though!! If you try it cold, I’d love to know how you like it :)

  • Reply
    February: On my mind | Anna Gillar
    March 6, 2017 at 5:01 am

    […] Food: When being out on production starting super early and ending late at night, the way of eating tends to suffer a bit. You don´t eat enough and when you finally get the chance to do so you are so excited to see food so anything goes instead of eating smart and healthy. At least that´s the case for me. I only have prep work and no photo shoots this week so hopefully that will result in better choices and more clean eating. Would´t mind trying this Kale detox salad with Pesto to start with. See the full recipe here.  […]

  • Reply
    Cassidy
    March 27, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! My mom and I are vegan but I often cook for my whole family which splits us 50/50, vegan/non-vegan. Was really craving some greens for dinner and had saved this recipe so finally tried it! I don’t often use kale as the basis for a salad, but I have a feeling I will now! The combo of the warm roasted veggies with the kale really made a warm, hearty meal. The only change I made was making an avocado/spinach pesto because I’d been wanting to do that anyway, and didn’t get carrots with the leafy bit still on. The dressing I made worked well and was very creamy, next time I will have to find carrots with the leaves so I can try your pesto! Thanks for this lovely dish, we all loved it!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 28, 2017 at 9:03 am

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Cassidy!! I love the changes you made to the pesto – avocado and spinach sounds so delicious!! Plus, I love seeing people being creative with recipes and subbing in ingredients in they like :) Thanks so much for leaving a note!! :)

  • Reply
    Emma
    April 21, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    It looks like there is some kind of pepper in your salad? Are those jalapenos? This looks amazing!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 22, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      Good eye, they are jalapenos! :) Thanks Emma!

  • Reply
    Whtiney
    May 1, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    I keep trying to pin this but pinterest keeps saying “this site doesnt allow you to save pins” :(

    • Reply
      Sarah
      May 2, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      I know… this has been an issue with some SSL (secure) sites on Pinterest’s end. Hopefully it should be fixed soon! Sorry about this though :/

  • Reply
    Daniel King
    August 15, 2017 at 1:39 am

    5 stars
    Sarah, you did an awesome job with this recipe! This dish is super alkaline!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      August 22, 2017 at 2:03 pm

      Thank you Daniel!! :D

  • Reply
    Sandra M.
    November 26, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    Sarah, I made this for my family and it was a hit!!! All the ingredients with the pesto paired well together. This will be a regular meal for us. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      November 26, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Hi Sandra, I’m so thrilled to hear you and the family liked this recipe!! Thank you so much for leaving a note :)

  • Reply
    Lindsay Hill
    December 12, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! We love this recipe and have just declared it as our new family staple! My boyfriend — who avoided kale and carrots and potatoes — is love with it as much as I am! That is HUGE, trust me. It’s a keeper — no edits needed — the jalapeños and sesame seeds add a nice touch. Keep up the good work, Well and Full!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      December 12, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Hi Lindsay, thank you so much for your kind note!! I’m thrilled to hear that the family loved the recipe :)

  • Reply
    B. Juliane Leo
    December 27, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    While it sounds good… I’m having a hard time wanting to eat this during the WINTER – with cold salads. How about warming this up instead? Would that work?

    • Reply
      Sarah
      December 27, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      If you serve the salad with the rice freshly cooked and vegetables out of the oven, the salad will naturally be warm! In any case, feel free to pop it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds! I totally hear you, I’m not a fan of cold salads in the winter either ;) Let me know how it goes!

  • Reply
    Danielle
    January 10, 2018 at 6:00 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night and not only was it easy to make – it was so good. My meat-loving husband said “this is a keeper!” Thanks for this recipe. I made just enough for leftovers for my lunch today – my co-workers all had lunch jealousy – I had to share the recipe with them too.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 11, 2018 at 12:13 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Danielle!! Hearing a comment like that makes my day :)

  • Reply
    cassandra doyle
    January 10, 2018 at 9:09 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night & it was awesome! I added broccoli to the sheet of vegetables & it was very yummy. Definitely will add this to my favorite recipes & make more often. The carrot pesto was so good & something I’ve never made before.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 11, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      Ooh broccoli sounds like a great addition! I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Cassandra :) Thanks for leaving a note! :)

  • Reply
    Carmen
    February 3, 2018 at 1:57 pm

    Do you know if this will this still work without Olive Oil, or is there a low fat substitute?

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 5, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Carmen, I would highly recommend roasting the vegetables with just a teeny bit of oil. However, for the pesto, you can sub in 1/4 cup water instead of 1/4 cup olive oil. Just be sure to taste as you go, and adjust the seasonings to your preference! :)

  • Reply
    Marisa
    February 5, 2018 at 5:51 am

    5 stars
    The dish was Delish!! I added zuccini and asparagus, used garlic salt instead of the regular salt and as i like a bit of spice, I used chilli infused olive oil, which gave the dish a little kick 😊

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 5, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Ooh that sounds delicious, I bet that chili olive oil was dynamite! So glad you liked this recipe :)

  • Reply
    Lisa
    March 3, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    Forgive me for sounding dumb. Tops of carrots? With the leaves or just the top part? And are they the purple carrots you use for salad or orange carrots? Thanks

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 4, 2018 at 8:16 pm

      Hi Lisa! Not a dumb question at all! By tops I mean the leafy top parts of the carrots :) If you can’t find carrots with tops, feel free to use parsley instead! I did use purple carrots for this recipe, but any color will do! Feel free to leave a comment or email if you have any other questions :)

  • Reply
    Taylor
    March 9, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this 3-4 times and I absolutely LOVE IT!! I didn’t have carrot tops so I used a mixture of spinach and fresh basil. This recipe is DIVINE, I can’t recommend it enough! I’ve shared it with several friends all to rave reviews as well!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 10, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind note Taylor!! :) I’m so glad you like the recipe, and that spinach and basil combo sounds really yummy! Thanks for leaving a review :)

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Jessica
    March 23, 2018 at 1:09 am

    5 stars
    I made this dish tonight and it was so delicious! I made a few substitutions as I unfortunately waited too long and my purple carrots went bad so I used regular carrots and I used sweet potatoes as I usually don’t eat regular potatoes; however, the spices went perfectly with the vegetables! I also put a dallop of hummus on top as I can never get enough! Thank you for the recipe!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 23, 2018 at 10:14 am

      Hi Jessica, I’m so glad you liked the recipe!! This definitely sounds like it would be delicious with hummus ;) Thanks so much for leaving a note!!

  • Reply
    Kaylee
    May 22, 2018 at 10:52 pm

    5 stars
    Whoa! That was amazing. Sharing with all my friends! We added cayenne and garlic to the carrot pesto for a little extra zing! Thank you, Thank you!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      May 23, 2018 at 12:15 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Kaylee!! Garlic and cayenne sound like awesome additions :) Cheers!

  • Reply
    Jade
    July 3, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    I meal prepped this for a week and its delicious. Just wondering if you knew how many calories is in this?

    • Reply
      Sarah
      July 3, 2018 at 7:10 pm

      Hi Jade! Thanks for writing :) I don’t have the calorie count for this recipe, but MyFitnessPal has a great recipe calculator you can use!

  • Reply
    Chef Heather Mader
    September 12, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    Chef here in Portland Oregon! ❤️ Made this for a client yesterday and the salad was gorgeous and delicious. Only substitution was more lemon juice and zest and a few basil leaves in the pesto. I’d never tried using carrot tops for pesto…genius and tasty! Thanks for a deeply satisfying, healthy recipe.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 12, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      Hi Heather!! Thanks so much for leaving a note an review. I’m so glad to hear your client like the recipe!! Lemon zest and basil sounds like a great addition to this pesto, I’ll have to try that myself :)

  • Reply
    Hannah
    September 13, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    You currently have changed my life with your blog. I think I have made at least 4 recipes from your site this week, and my entire family and we have loved them all. I got a store bought vegan pesto due a lack of carrot tops and a silly, keepin-me-busy 2 year old! I absolutely adored this. THANK YOU. I am grateful I found you. My favorite vegan/food blog so far.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 15, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      Hi Hannah, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m absolutely honored to hear that your family likes these recipes! Please do let me know if you ever have any other feedback or recipe requests :) Hugs, Sarah

  • Reply
    Dana
    September 15, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    This salad is everything!! I have already made it a couple of times and look forward to trying a host of seasonal variations. I did add some chopped tempeh bacon + lemon zest, and it was heaven in a bowl. It’s also great for lunch the next day. Many thanks for the inspiration as I am learning to have more love for salads as a main.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 15, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      Hi Dana, thanks so much for leaving a note! I’m thrilled to hear you like the recipe! I love the sound of tempeh bacon + lemon zest in this :)

  • Reply
    Larissa
    September 26, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    Did you peel your carrots?

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 27, 2018 at 10:19 am

      Not for this recipe, no! You can go either way, depending on how the carrots look :) The carrots I had were in really good shape, so I just washed them really well and they didn’t need to be peeled!

  • Reply
    Claire
    September 29, 2018 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    Such a hit with the whole family – we make carrot top pesto often and freeze in ice cube trays so this was a perfect recipe to use up leftover pesto, veg and I threw in some leftover cooked meat too as we are not vegan. Loved the jalapenos as a final touch. Really yummy – we’ll definitely be having this again! :)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 29, 2018 at 10:00 am

      Hi Claire, thanks so much for leaving a review! I’m so glad to hear everybody liked the salad, and that’s such a great idea to freeze the pesto in ice cube trays! :)

  • Reply
    Diana
    October 5, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Sarah, I just came across this recipe and it looks amazing! I am however trying to watch my diet by keeping a track of calories I take in daily. Are you able to provide the nutritional information for this meal at all?

  • Reply
    Aspen
    October 7, 2018 at 3:30 pm

    5 stars
    This has got to me one of the best meatless meals I’ve had! When my husband wanted to go more meatless I was a little disappointed…however, this meal is incredible! I did not have carrot tops so I opted to just use regular basil pesto (I mixed the pesto in the kale and also on the rice). I also added sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts to the cooked veggie mix. My husband was RAVING over this meal. This is definitely a keeper!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      October 7, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      Hi Aspen, I’m so thrilled to hear you and your husband liked the recipe!! Sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts sound like great additions to this salad :) Thank you so much for leaving a note!

  • Reply
    Sarah
    October 23, 2018 at 11:42 am

    I’m doing Whole30 and want to make this salad, but omit potatoes and chickpeas. I am thinking of subbing roasted butternut squash and brussel spouts. How do you think that will work out? I’ve never cooked carrot tops, didn’t know you could! Do I use the entire top from the carrot up? It’s an absolutely stunning salad and can’t wait to try it.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      October 23, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Hi Sarah, I think the butternut squash and brussels sprouts would be delicious! But I would reduce the cooking time to about 20-30 minutes because both of those cook faster than potatoes. I would take them out at about 25 minutes and see how brown they look! And for the pesto, just take the leafy greens from the carrots and blend them up in the food processor. However, any other pesto would work here too! Hope this helps :)

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    jenny
    January 2, 2019 at 12:12 am

    Love the combination of this salad! Especially the jalapeño!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 2, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you Jenny!! I love jalapeño to add a hint of spice ;)

  • Reply
    Tracey
    January 13, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Instead of the pesto, I drizzled balsamic vinaigrette on it. Healthy and delicious!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 13, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      Hi Tracey, I’m so glad to hear you liked the salad! Balsamic vinaigrette sounds like a delicious addition. Thanks so much for leaving a note!

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  • Reply
    Dianne
    March 26, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    5 stars
    Very well done Sarah and thank you so much for sharing!!
    This collection of textures and flavours is unexpected and amazing (of course anything with roasted chickpeas has my heart).
    Highly recommend everyone try this recipe!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 27, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      I’m so glad to hear you liked this salad! Thanks so much for leaving a note :)

  • Reply
    Odds and Ends, June 2019 | Pantologist's Daughter
    June 26, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    […] been using this Kale Detox Salad recipe from Well and Full at least once a week! I don’t think I’ll be […]

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    Healthy Meal Prep Ideas For Plant-Based Vegans - The Vegan Afterglow
    August 11, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    […] 8. Kale Detox Salad by Well And Full […]

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    9 Detox Dinners That Won't Leave You Feeling Deprived | Hello Glow
    September 10, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    […] Kale Detox Salad with Pesto from Well and […]

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    Jayne Reynolds
    October 22, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    This is the first time we made this and Oh. My. YUM! This is what’s for lunch. I seriously cannot get enough of it in my face. Creamy jasmine rice, roasted carrots, fingerling potatoes, and garbanzo beans, all tossed with kale and pesto made from carrot greens! Who knew you could make pesto from carrot tops? Not me!

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      Sarah
      October 27, 2019 at 4:36 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Jayne!! I really appreciate you leaving a review! :)

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    Maureen
    February 7, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    What to do if I bought carrots without the greens on top? Will kale do in the pesto recipe? Thank you!

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      Sarah
      February 11, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      If you don’t have carrot tops on hand, try this recipe with parsley, it has a similar flavor! :)

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    Caroline Shepard
    March 2, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    5 stars
    I just wanted to say thank you for making such a delicious recipe! I was seriously underrating potatoes before this recipe, but no more! the roasted potatoes with pesto and jalapeno really make this dish something special. I’ve made it several times and will continue to do so!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      March 4, 2020 at 9:40 am

      I’m so glad you like the recipe, Caroline! Thanks so much for leaving a review :)

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    Sam
    March 16, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    Ok this is absolutely delicious!! I was skeptical about the carrot top pesto, but WOW! I added a pinch of sugar and about a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for some extra flavor- but other than that this is a great salad. I made the veggies with Cajun seasoning for a little kick, which was great too. I cannot wait to make this again!

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      Sarah
      March 22, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe! I love that you added Cajun seasoning, that’s one of my favorite spice blends :) Thanks so much for leaving a review!

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    Brittney Phillips
    July 1, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Hi, I can’t find purple carrots anywhere local to me. Can I use regular orange carrots as a replacement or will it taste drastically different?

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      Sarah
      July 2, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      Regular carrots will taste the same! Just make sure you get carrots with the leafy tops :)

      • Reply
        Brittney Phillips
        July 2, 2020 at 4:06 pm

        Thanks so much! I’ve tried your other recipes before and they were amazing so I’m really looking forward to trying this one too!

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    Suzanne
    September 5, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    This looks so good! What a great combination of healthy and filling flavors!

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      Sarah
      September 6, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Thank you! :)

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    Vanessa
    September 5, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?

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      Sarah
      September 6, 2020 at 11:05 am

      I think it would keep in the fridge for 3-4 days! Just make sure you reheat it well :)

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    Suzanne
    January 5, 2021 at 4:17 pm

    This looks so good! What a great lunch meal prep for the week!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 6, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      Thank you! :)

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    Vanessa
    January 5, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks for sharing! The potatoes are a fun addition! Do you use them in any other salads?

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      Sarah
      January 6, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      You can add the potatoes to virtually anything! Try them tossed in a garden salad with your favorite dressing, or with a bowl of rice. They’d also be great in my vegan power bowl recipe! :) Hope this helps!

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    Katie
    January 7, 2021 at 11:04 pm

    5 stars
    This has been one of my go to recipes for a few years! I like to double the roasted vegetables to make sure I have leftovers.

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      Sarah
      January 14, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      I’m so glad you like this recipe! It’s one of my favorites as well :) Thank you so much for leaving a review!

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    tim
    January 19, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I don’t see avocado listed in the recipe but I’m glad it was pictured because it brought all the ingredients together. Wonderful and will be making this one again!

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      Sarah
      January 24, 2021 at 2:33 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe Tim! Thanks for leaving a review :)

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      Ashley
      June 21, 2022 at 11:28 am

      I was wondering if anyone was going to mention the avocado lol. I love avocado so I’m glad to hear someone added it and it was good.

  • Reply
    Suzanne
    July 20, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    This looks so good! What a healthy and filling lunch meal prep for the week !

    • Reply
      Sarah
      July 21, 2021 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Suzanne! :)

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    July 20, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Do you use this pesto in any other recipes?

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    The Best Kale Salads Ever
    August 3, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    […] Click Here […]

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    15 Seriously Filling Salads You Can Meal Prep This Week | The Everygirl
    October 13, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    […] 5. Kale Salad with Pesto […]

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    Madeline Kavalow-Huie
    August 26, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    5 stars
    One of – if not the best – salad I have EVER made. My whole family adores it! I’m usually not a fan of carrots, but the way they are cooked makes them taste just like sweet potatoes! And the crunchiness is just to die for.

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      Sarah
      September 26, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      I’m so glad you and the fam like the recipe!! Thanks for leaving a review :)

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    September 26, 2022 at 12:15 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe!! Can you supply nutritional information for it, please?

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    Kelsey
    December 30, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    I am obsessed with this salad. Every time I’m craving a particularly nutrient-dense meal, this is my go to. It’s such a unique combo of flavors, so delicious, and I always feel like I’m doing something good for my body whenever I eat this. Also love when a recipe calls for *every* part of the veggies so mixing it all with a carrot top pesto is perfect. Thanks, Sarah!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 1, 2023 at 11:54 am

      Thanks so much for this kind comment!! I love using the whole veggie too :)

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    What's in season: January | Seasonal produce guide with recipes!
    April 9, 2023 at 9:14 am

    […] Kale Detox Salad […]

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    Miranda
    June 24, 2023 at 1:15 pm

    5 stars
    This tasted amazing, even my fiance was asking for a bite! I added a sprinkle of shredded parmesan, and used store-bought pesto just to save time. Will definitely save and make again!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      July 10, 2023 at 8:16 am

      So glad you liked the recipe, Miranda! Parmesan sounds so good in this, I’ll have to try that myself :)

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