Low Fat Vegan Pesto
Brighten up your meals with this Low Fat Vegan Pesto, a lighter twist on the classic Italian favorite. Packed with fresh basil and spinach, this vibrant sauce delivers bold flavors without using nuts or excessive oil, making it a heart-healthy and dairy-free option. Silken tofu creates a creamy texture, while nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami kick. Infused with garlic, zesty lemon juice, and subtle heat from optional red pepper flakes, this pesto comes together in just 10 minutes using a blender or food processor. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a flavorful dip, this versatile vegan pesto is a wholesome way to elevate any dish. Try this easy, low-fat recipe for a guilt-free burst of green goodness!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Spinach leaves
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Vegetable broth (low-sodium, if desired)
- 0.5 cup Silken tofu
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil (optional, for richer flavor)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
Rinse the fresh basil and spinach leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
In a blender or food processor, combine the basil, spinach, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, vegetable broth, and silken tofu.
Blend until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
If using, add olive oil for extra richness and blend again. Skip this step for a fully low-fat version.
Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste. Blend briefly to mix the seasoning evenly.
Taste the pesto and adjust flavors as needed—add more lemon juice for tang, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, or salt for seasoning.
Transfer the pesto to a bowl or airtight container. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
238 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.3 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1054 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.2 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.4 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g | ||
| Protein | 20.0 g | 40% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 273 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1011 mg | 22% | |
*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.
