Vegan pesto

Whip up a quick and delicious vegan pesto with this easy recipe! Featuring fragrant basil leaves, zesty garlic cloves, rich pine nuts, and smooth olive oil, this dairy-free delight is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Ready in minutes and packed with flavor.

  • 09 Apr 2025
  • Cook time 0 min
  • Prep time 10 min
  • 8 Servings
  • 5 Ingredients

Vegan pesto

Vegan pesto is a delicious, plant-based alternative to traditional pesto that doesn't compromise on taste. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or even as a dip, this vegan pesto uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a vibrant and flavor-packed sauce.

Ingredients:

1.50 cups basil leaves
10g
2 garlic cloves
6g
1/3 cup pine nuts
55g
1/2 cup olive oil
120g
1 tsp yeast
5g

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Gently rinse the basil leaves to remove any dirt, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Peel the garlic cloves to remove the skins.
2. Toast the Pine Nuts (Optional but recommended):
- Heat a small, dry skillet over medium heat.
- Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring continuously, until they are golden brown and emit a nutty aroma. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to let them burn.
- Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
3. Blend the Ingredients:
- In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, and toasted pine nuts.
- Pulse the mixture a few times to break down the ingredients.
4. Add the Olive Oil and Nutritional Yeast:
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. You may not need to use the entire 1/2 cup, or you might decide to add a bit more if you prefer a thinner pesto.
- Add the nutritional yeast and blend again until fully incorporated. The yeast will add a cheesy, nutty flavor to your pesto.
5. Season to Taste:
- Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add salt, more garlic, or more nutritional yeast according to your preference.
6. Storage:
- Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. Place a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to prevent oxidation and browning.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the pesto in ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Tips:

- Use fresh basil leaves to ensure the best flavor and aroma.

- Toast the pine nuts lightly in a dry pan before blending to enhance their nutty flavor.

- If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little bit of water or more olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed; a pinch of salt can enhance the flavors further.

- Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage and convenient portions.

With this easy vegan pesto recipe, you can enjoy a tasty and healthy condiment that complements a wide variety of dishes. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe will add a burst of freshness to your meals.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size24 grams
Energy
Calories 50kcal2%
Protein
Protein 1.25g1%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 1.37g0%
Fiber 0.45g1%
Sugar 0.25g0%
Fat
Fat 20g23%
Saturated 2.43g8%
Cholesterol 0.00mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 3.53ug0%
Choline 4.21mg1%
Vitamin B1 0.09mg8%
Vitamin B2 0.04mg3%
Vitamin B3 0.56mg3%
Vitamin B6 0.03mg2%
Vitamin B9 18ug4%
Vitamin B12 0.00ug0%
Vitamin C 0.37mg0%
Vitamin E 0.63mg4%
Vitamin K 9ug8%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 4.92mg0%
Copper, Cu 0.10mg11%
Iron, Fe 0.43mg4%
Magnesium, Mg 18mg4%
Phosphorus, P 44mg4%
Potassium, K 50mg2%
Selenium, Se 0.17ug0%
Sodium, Na 0.63mg0%
Zinc, Zn 0.49mg4%
Water
Water 1.86g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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