Vegan Pesto
Brighten up your dishes with this vibrant and creamy Vegan Pesto, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. Made with fresh basil, raw cashews, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of garlic, this dairy-free pesto delivers all the rich, herby flavor you love without the cheese. Nutritional yeast adds a subtle, nutty "Parmesan-like" note, while olive oil and water blend everything into a luscious, velvety texture. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this easy pesto recipe is perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or dip for your favorite veggies. With its simple ingredients and bold taste, this vegan pesto is a versatile go-to for healthy, plant-based meals!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 units garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 0.25 cup water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Begin by rinsing and drying the fresh basil leaves. Set them aside.
In a food processor, add the raw cashews and nutritional yeast. Process until the mixture forms a fine crumb-like texture.
Peel the garlic cloves and add them to the food processor along with the lemon juice, olive oil, and water. Blend the ingredients until combined.
Add the fresh basil leaves to the food processor. Season with salt and black pepper.
Process all the ingredients together until a smooth and creamy consistency is achieved. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to suit your preference.
Store the vegan pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy with pasta, as a salad dressing, or as a flavorful spread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
224 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.5 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.2 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 167 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.9 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 5.5 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 40 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 244 mg | 5% | |
*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.
