Dairy-Free Classic Green Pesto

Bright, vibrant, and bursting with fresh flavors, this Dairy-Free Classic Green Pesto is the ultimate plant-based twist on the traditional Italian favorite. Made with fragrant basil, creamy pine nuts, and zesty garlic, this recipe swaps Parmesan cheese for nutrient-packed nutritional yeast, delivering a savory, cheesy flavor without the dairy. A splash of lemon juice adds a tangy brightness, while extra virgin olive oil ties it all together for a silky, smooth texture. Ready in just 10 minutes and perfect for anyone following a vegan or dairy-free lifestyle, this versatile pesto can be tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or used as a dip for vegetables. Plus, it stores beautifully for up to a week, making mealtime a breeze!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

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Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

2 cups Fresh basil leaves
0.5 cup Pine nuts
2 Garlic cloves
3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Lemon juice
0.5 teaspoon Salt
0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the fresh basil leaves in a food processor.

Step 2

Add the pine nuts and garlic cloves to the processor.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture a few times to roughly chop the ingredients.

Step 4

Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Turn the processor on and slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while the machine is running, blending until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency.

Step 6

Stop the processor and scrape down the sides with a spatula as needed to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

Step 7

Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.

Step 8

Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy with your favorite dishes!

Portion size

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(274.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1504.1

Total Fat 158.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1197.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 20.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.2g	0%
Total Sugars 3.2g
Protein 20.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 76.3mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 893.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 89.8%

Protein: 5.1%

Carbs: 5.2%