Soy-Free Spinach Pesto
Elevate your meals with this vibrant and healthy Soy-Free Spinach Pesto, a quick and flavorful alternative that's perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions or seeking a plant-based twist on classic pesto. Packed with fresh spinach and basil, this creamy sauce gets its rich texture from raw cashews and a cheesy, umami kick from nutritional yeast—no soy or dairy required. Brightened with a splash of fresh lemon juice and blended with aromatic garlic and olive oil, this pesto is as versatile as it is delicious. Whether spread onto sandwiches, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or tossed with your favorite pasta, this 10-minute recipe is a must-try for busy weeknights or meal prep enthusiasts. Make it once, and you'll keep coming back for this easy, wholesome, and crowd-pleasing pesto!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Raw cashews
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Water (optional, to adjust texture)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the spinach and basil leaves thoroughly under cool water and pat them dry using a clean towel or salad spinner.
Step 2
Add the raw cashews to a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until they are broken down into a coarse meal.
Step 3
Add the spinach, basil, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the blender or food processor with the cashews.
Step 4
Blend the mixture on high, scraping down the sides as needed, until smooth. You can add water one tablespoon at a time to adjust the consistency if the pesto is too thick.
Step 5
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice, as desired.
Step 6
Use immediately over pasta, as a spread, or refrigerate in an airtight container. The pesto will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (252.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 910.8 |
| Total Fat 81.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 13.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1235.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 30.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 4.3g | |
| Protein 21.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 100.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 7.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1023.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories