Dairy-Free Cilantro Pesto
Brighten up your meals with this vibrant and flavor-packed Dairy-Free Cilantro Pesto! This quick and easy recipe is ready in just 10 minutes and bursts with fresh cilantro, zesty lemon, and a hint of garlic. Toasted pine nuts add a subtle nuttiness, while nutritional yeast delivers a savory, cheesy flavor—making this pesto completely plant-based and dairy-free. Perfectly creamy thanks to olive oil and naturally vegan, this cilantro pesto is great as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or a drizzle over roasted veggies. Plus, it's a fantastic way to elevate your dishes while catering to dairy-free and vegan diets. Simple, versatile, and so delicious, this is your new go-to pesto recipe!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 whole garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Begin by rinsing the cilantro thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Shake off the excess water and pat dry with paper towels.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and aromatic. Remove from heat and let them cool.
Peel the garlic cloves and roughly chop them for easier blending.
In a food processor, combine the cilantro leaves, toasted pine nuts, chopped garlic, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast.
Add the sea salt and black pepper for seasoning.
Pulse the mixture in the food processor a few times to combine the ingredients, scraping down the sides as necessary.
With the processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
If the pesto is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time and blend until the desired consistency is achieved.
Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer the dairy-free cilantro pesto to a jar or airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1327 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 134.5 g | 172% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.8 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 989 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.3 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.1 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 21.6 g | 43% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 77 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 744 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
