Vegan Cilantro Pesto
Elevate your meals with this vibrant and flavorful Vegan Cilantro Pesto, a zesty twist on the classic basil version! Made in just 10 minutes, this creamy, dairy-free pesto features fresh cilantro, toasted walnuts, and nutritional yeast for a nutty, cheesy richness without any cheese. The addition of garlic and a splash of fresh lemon juice brings a bright, bold flavor, while extra virgin olive oil ensures a silky smooth texture. Perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or dip, this plant-based recipe is easy to customize with your desired consistency and spice level. Whether you're a pesto lover or looking for a unique vegan recipe, this cilantro-based pesto is guaranteed to add a fresh, herby kick to any dish!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh cilantro
- 0.5 cup Walnuts
- 0.25 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Water
Directions
Step 1
Start by roughly chopping the fresh cilantro and add it to a food processor. This will help ease the processing.
Step 2
Add the toasted walnuts, nutritional yeast, peeled garlic cloves, and fresh lemon juice to the food processor with the cilantro.
Step 3
Pulse the mixture a few times until the ingredients are roughly combined and start to breakdown.
Step 4
With the processor running, gradually pour in the extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube. Continue to process until the mixture is well blended but still has some texture.
Step 5
Stop the processor and scrape down the sides with a spatula. Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and water. Process again until smooth.
Step 6
Taste the pesto and adjust with more salt or pepper if needed. If the pesto is too thick, add additional water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
Step 7
Transfer the vegan cilantro pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. It's best used within a week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (291.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1402.4 |
| Total Fat 151.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 19.7g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 28.3g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1204.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 17.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 2.4g | |
| Protein 13.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 108.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 590.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories