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5 from 1 vote

Discover the joy of homemade pesto with this easy vegan pesto recipe. This dairy-free version is packed with flavor and simplicity. Ideal for those seeking delicious recipes that align with a vegan lifestyle, this pesto is a great way to enjoy a classic recipe with a plant-based twist.

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Pesto pesto on toasted bread with a jar of pesto on a wooden table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Flavor Packed: A vegan version of the traditional pesto sauce, rich in flavor without the dairy.
  • Versatile: Perfect as a vegan pesto pasta recipe, salad dressing, or a topping for your pesto pizza.
  • Healthful & Fresh: Utilizes main ingredients like fresh basil leaves and pine nuts, offering a nutrient-rich profile.
  • Easy to Store: Can be frozen in ice cube trays or stored in an airtight container for convenient, easy meals.

Ingredients

This homemade vegan pesto sauce uses fresh, simple ingredients. 

Fresh herbs and spices on a wooden table.
  • Basil: Fresh basil leaves, the heart of every classic pesto recipe, and this vegan basil pesto.
  • Spinach: Baby spinach adds a subtle, nutrient-rich layer that is entirely camouflaged by the fresh basil.
  • Pine Nuts: A classic choice and a staple in pesto.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty twist, enhancing the pesto’s fresh flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Extra virgin for the best quality and taste.
  • Salt: Sea salt for a mineral-rich flavor enhancer.
  • Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper to enhance the pesto’s complex flavors.
  • Garlic: The secret ingredient that adds depth.

Step-by-step Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions for the best vegan pesto. 

  1. Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend on high until well combined.
  1. Serve on your favorite toasted bread, over pasta, or use as a pizza sauce. 

Recipe Variations

This recipe is perfect as is but if you don’t have all the right ingredients or have an allergy to one, here are some easy swaps.

  • Seeds or Nuts: Try sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even macadamia nuts for a twist.
  • Oil: Use olive or avocado oil, whichever you have on hand. 
  • Cheese: Vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for that classic cheesy flavor.
  • Add-Ins: Consider sun-dried tomatoes or bell peppers for a unique twist.

Serving Ideas

One of the best ways to enjoy this fresh pesto recipe is to spread it on crispy bread. Here are some more serving ideas!

  • Pasta: Mix into a vegan pesto pasta recipe.
  • Salad: Use as a salad dressing for flavor-packed meals.
  • Pizza: Use it as pizza sauce or drizzle it on top of a pizza with traditional sauce. 
A bowl of pesto, bread and lemons on a wooden table.

Storage Tips

Preserve in an airtight container, with a thin layer of olive oil on top to maintain freshness. Alternatively, freeze in individual portions using ice cube trays for convenience. Store in the fridge for up to 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to a month. 

FAQ

What is vegan pesto made of?

Vegan pesto typically includes fresh herbs, nuts or seeds, nutritional yeast (as a cheese alternative), and a base of olive oil or other plant-based oils.

What is a substitute for Parmesan cheese in pesto?

Nutritional yeast is a popular, nutrient-rich substitute for Parmesan cheese in vegan pesto, offering a similar cheesy flavor.

What is the difference between vegan pesto and regular pesto?

The main difference is the exclusion of dairy, particularly Parmesan cheese, in vegan pesto, replaced by plant-based alternatives like nutritional yeast.

What can I use instead of tree nuts in pesto?

Seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds are excellent nut-free alternatives for pesto, offering similar texture and health benefits.

Two slices of bread with pesto sauce on a black plate.

Recipe

A plate with bread and pesto on it.
5 from 1 vote

Vegan Pesto

Yield 6 Servings (1 1/2 cups)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Discover the joy of homemade pesto with this easy vegan pesto recipe. This dairy-free version is packed with flavor and simplicity. Ideal for those seeking delicious recipes that align with a vegan lifestyle, this pesto is a great way to enjoy a classic recipe with a plant-based twist.

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups basil, tightly packed
  • 2 handfuls spinach
  • 3/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend on high until well combined.
  • Serve on your favorite toasted bread, over pasta, or use as a pizza sauce.

Notes

Please read through the above blog post for helpful tips and tricks!

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 39g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 23g, Sodium: 99mg, Potassium: 150mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 460IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

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4 Comments

    1. Yes! (I am in the process of updating all of my recipes to have info like this. I haven’t gotten to this one yet, though.) I have found that food stays fresh longer stored in glass containers. So in a glass container, I have had it keep really well for 6-7 days.

    1. That may be true in some cases but in my experience people usually make it with at least half of a cup of cheese in it, usually parmesan. That would mean that it is vegetarian not vegan. I have never gone to a restaurant that has made it without the cheese come to think of it.