Vegan Pesto Vinaigrette

Brighten up your salads and dishes with this vibrant Vegan Pesto Vinaigrette, a dairy-free spin on classic pesto that’s as versatile as it is flavorful. Packed with fresh basil and baby spinach, this zesty dressing combines the rich nuttiness of pine nuts, the umami punch of nutritional yeast, and a hint of sweetness from maple syrup. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar add a refreshing tang, while garlic delivers a savory kick. Blended to creamy perfection with olive oil, this 10-minute vinaigrette is not only vegan but also gluten-free, making it an ideal choice for healthy, plant-based eating. Use it to drizzle over your favorite salads, toss with roasted veggies, or even as a marinade—your kitchen will never be without this quick and delicious staple!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Baby spinach leaves
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Pine nuts
• 2 large Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 0.5 cup Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash the fresh basil and baby spinach leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Step 2

In a blender or food processor, combine the basil leaves, baby spinach leaves, nutritional yeast, and pine nuts.

Step 3

Peel the garlic cloves and add them to the blender along with the lemon juice and lemon zest.

Step 4

Blend the mixture on medium speed while gradually pouring in the olive oil, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 5

Add the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup to the blend to enhance the vinaigrette's acidity and sweetness.

Step 6

Season the pesto vinaigrette with salt and black pepper. Blend again to incorporate all the flavors.

Step 7

Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more lemon juice for tanginess or more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

Step 8

Pour the Vegan Pesto Vinaigrette into a mason jar or airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Step 9

Before using, give the vinaigrette a good shake to ensure all ingredients are well combined. Serve it over your favorite salad or use as a marinade for vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(252.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1242.4

Total Fat 123.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1210.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 21.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.5g	0%
Total Sugars 6.0g
Protein 13.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 70.8mg	0%
Iron 4.1mg	0%
Potassium 636.5mg	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: 89.0%

Protein: 4.2%

Carbs: 6.7%