Vegan Classic Pesto Dressing
Elevate your salads, pastas, and roasted veggies with this vibrant and creamy Vegan Classic Pesto Dressing—a plant-based twist on the traditional favorite! Made with aromatic fresh basil leaves, rich raw cashews, and tangy nutritional yeast, this recipe swaps out dairy for wholesome, nutrient-packed alternatives without compromising its bold, garlicky flavor. With a silky consistency achieved by blending olive oil and a splash of water, this dressing is as versatile as it is easy to make—ready in just 10 minutes! Perfect for meal prepping, it stores beautifully in the fridge, allowing the flavors to deepen over time. Whether you're vegan or simply looking for a dairy-free option, this pesto is sure to become a household staple.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups raw cashews
- 0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cups nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.25 cups water
Instructions
1. Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Wash and dry the basil leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Place the fresh basil leaves, raw cashews, and garlic cloves into a food processor.
3. Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the processor.
4. Pulse the mixture a few times to break down the ingredients and create a rough texture.
5. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
6. Add water to the mixture to achieve your desired dressing consistency, blending until incorporated.
7. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your taste preference.
8. Transfer the vegan pesto dressing to a jar or an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
9. Use the dressing immediately or allow it to sit in the fridge for an hour to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1409 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 144.0 g | 185% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.9 g | 104% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1196 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.7 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.3 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g | ||
| Protein | 14.6 g | 29% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 89 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 5.7 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 644 mg | 14% | |
*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.
