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Dairy-Free Basil Pesto Recipe

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3.9 from 1 review

  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: About 3/4 cup
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

A vibrant and creamy Dairy Free Pesto made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and nutritional yeast, perfect for adding rich flavor to pasta, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce. This pesto is a delicious, dairy-free alternative that retains the classic taste using olive oil and lemon juice for freshness.

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts (or other nuts/seeds like walnuts or pumpkin seeds)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional – can replace with parmesan cheese if not dairy free)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Measure out 3 cups of fresh basil leaves, juice half a lemon, peel 2 cloves of garlic, and gather the pine nuts (or nuts/seeds of choice), olive oil, salt, and nutritional yeast.
  2. Add to Blender/Food Processor: Place all the ingredients—basil, lemon juice, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, and nutritional yeast—into a food processor or high-powered blender.
  3. Process Until Smooth: Blend the ingredients until well combined and the pesto reaches the desired texture. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl or blender with a spatula occasionally to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
  4. Taste and Adjust: Sample the pesto and add more lemon juice or salt if needed to balance the flavors to your liking.
  5. Store Properly: Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be kept in the fridge for up to one week, making it convenient for multiple uses.

Notes

  • You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or pumpkin seeds if preferred or for cost efficiency.
  • Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor making this pesto dairy free, but you can replace it with parmesan cheese if dairy is not an issue.
  • To prevent browning, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top of stored pesto before refrigerating.
  • Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a dip for vegetables and crackers.
  • If thicker pesto is desired, reduce the amount of olive oil slightly.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://recipeglimpse.com/dairy-free-basil-pesto-recipe/