Vegan Spinach Pesto
Elevate your pasta nights or snack spreads with this vibrant Vegan Spinach Pesto, a dairy-free twist on the classic Italian sauce. Packed with fresh spinach and basil, this nutrient-rich recipe is a powerhouse of flavor, thanks to savory garlic, tangy lemon juice, and cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast. Sunflower seeds replace traditional pine nuts for an allergen-friendly crunch, while extra virgin olive oil creates a silky, smooth texture. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this versatile pesto is perfect for transforming pasta, as a spread for sandwiches, or even as a zesty dip. Healthy, quick, and irresistibly delicious, this spinach pesto is bound to become your go-to vegan condiment!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Sunflower seeds
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Water (optional, to thin)
Instructions
Wash and pat dry the spinach and basil leaves.
In a large food processor or blender, add fresh spinach, basil, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sunflower seeds, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the ingredients a few times to break them down.
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth but slightly textured consistency.
If the pesto is too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and pulse again until you achieve your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2970 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 301.9 g | 387% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.4 g | 207% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 47.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1050 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.1 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.3 g | 87% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.0 g | ||
| Protein | 40.7 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 309 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 12.0 mg | 67% | |
| Potassium | 2132 mg | 45% | |
*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.
