Dairy-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Elevate your pasta night or appetizer spread with this vibrant Dairy-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto—a creamy, plant-based twist on a traditional favorite. Brimming with bold flavors, this recipe combines the rich, tangy sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil, raw cashews or pine nuts, and a zesty hint of lemon. Enriched with nutrient-packed nutritional yeast for a cheesy undertone, this pesto is completely dairy-free yet irresistibly creamy. Perfect as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a dip for veggies, it’s ready in just 15 minutes and easily customizable to your desired consistency. Make ahead and savor this versatile vegan pesto for up to five days, or freeze for a burst of Mediterranean-inspired flavor anytime.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Raw cashews or pine nuts
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Water (if needed for consistency)
Directions
Step 1
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes slightly, leaving a little of the oil to enhance the flavor.
Step 2
In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, cashews or pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse until roughly chopped.
Step 3
Add the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the ingredients come together into a smooth and creamy paste, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed.
Step 4
If the pesto is too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time and continue to blend until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 5
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to balance the flavors.
Step 6
Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (433.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2085.3 |
| Total Fat 185.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 29.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3291.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 85.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 22.0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 38.3g | |
| Protein 34.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 228.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 16.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 7888.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories