Vegan Pesto

Brighten up your favorite dishes with this vibrant and creamy Vegan Pesto, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian sauce. Made with fresh basil, raw cashews, and a touch of nutritional yeast for that cheesy umami flavor, this recipe is both dairy-free and bursting with wholesome goodness. The addition of garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil brings a zesty, rich depth of flavor, while the quick 10-minute prep time makes it perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you're tossing it with pasta, spreading it on sandwiches, or using it as a dip, this versatile sauce is a guaranteed hit. Plus, it's easy to make ahead and store in the fridge, ensuring you always have a bright pop of flavor at your fingertips. Delight your taste buds with this homemade pesto that's as healthy as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 2 units garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 0.25 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by rinsing and drying the fresh basil leaves. Set them aside.

Step 2

In a food processor, add the raw cashews and nutritional yeast. Process until the mixture forms a fine crumb-like texture.

Step 3

Peel the garlic cloves and add them to the food processor along with the lemon juice, olive oil, and water. Blend the ingredients until combined.

Step 4

Add the fresh basil leaves to the food processor. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 5

Process all the ingredients together until a smooth and creamy consistency is achieved. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to suit your preference.

Step 7

Store the vegan pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy with pasta, as a salad dressing, or as a flavorful spread!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(304.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1181.8

Total Fat 105.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1201.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 44.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.3g	0%
Total Sugars 7.6g
Protein 25.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 109.7mg	0%
Iron 10.0mg	0%
Potassium 1038.7mg	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: 77.2%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 14.5%