Fresh vegan pesto sauce made with basil, garlic, and nuts. Moreover, it’s dairy-free, quick to blend, and perfect for pasta or dips.
🛒 Ingredients (Makes about 1 cup)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
🍴 How to Make Vegan Pesto Sauce
Step 1: Prepare Ingredients
First, wash and dry basil leaves thoroughly.
Step 2: Blend
Next, add basil, garlic, nuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor.
Step 3: Add Oil
Then, slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth yet slightly textured.
Step 4: Taste & Adjust
Finally, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⭐ Tips for the Best Vegan Pesto
- Firstly, dry basil well to prevent watery pesto.
- Moreover, toast nuts lightly for deeper flavor.
- Additionally, pulse instead of over-blending for better texture.
- Finally, store with a thin oil layer on top to keep it green.
🔄 Variations to Try
- Nut-Free: Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Low-Oil: Replace half the oil with water
- Green Boost: Add spinach or kale
- Spicy: Add chili flakes
- Creamy: Blend in avocado or vegan yogurt
💚 Health Benefits
Basil is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Moreover, olive oil supports heart health.
Because nutritional yeast adds B-vitamins, this pesto is nourishing.
As a result, it’s both flavorful and wholesome.
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
- Reduce garlic amount
- Use cashews for mild flavor
- Add a pinch of salt only
- Serve with pasta or toast sticks
🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per 2 Tbsp – Approx.)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
