Low Fat Vegan Pesto

Brighten up your meals with this Low Fat Vegan Pesto, a guilt-free twist on the classic Italian favorite! Packed with fresh basil and spinach, this vibrant, dairy-free recipe gets its creamy texture from silken tofu, making it both nutritious and satisfying. Nutritional yeast adds a delightful “cheesy” flavor, while a splash of lemon juice provides just the right tangy kick. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this oil-optional pesto is perfect for a variety of dishes—toss it with pasta, use it as a spread for sandwiches, or drizzle it over roasted vegetables. With its low-fat, plant-based ingredients, this recipe is as healthy as it is versatile. Perfect for your vegan meal prep or anyone looking to enjoy a delicious pesto without the indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Spinach leaves
• 2 large Garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.25 cup Vegetable broth (low-sodium, if desired)
• 0.5 cup Silken tofu
• 1 teaspoon Olive oil (optional, for richer flavor)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh basil and spinach leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Step 2

In a blender or food processor, combine the basil, spinach, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, vegetable broth, and silken tofu.

Step 3

Blend until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4

If using, add olive oil for extra richness and blend again. Skip this step for a fully low-fat version.

Step 5

Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste. Blend briefly to mix the seasoning evenly.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust flavors as needed—add more lemon juice for tang, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, or salt for seasoning.

Step 7

Transfer the pesto to a bowl or airtight container. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(306.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	214.6

Total Fat 8.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1265.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 18.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.8g	0%
Total Sugars 1.8g
Protein 18.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 526.5mg	0%
Iron 5.1mg	0%
Potassium 864.5mg	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: 33.3%

Protein: 33.9%

Carbs: 32.8%