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    Home » Dairy Free » Easy Dairy Free Pesto

    Easy Dairy Free Pesto

    Published: March 13, 2023 | Last Modified: March 13, 2023 | By: Kaleena Martinez

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    Pinterest Pin poster with a small bowl filled with dairy free pesto.
    Pinterest Pin poster with a small bowl filled with dairy free pesto.
    Pinterest Pin poster with a small bowl filled with dairy free pesto.
    Pinterest Pin poster with a small bowl filled with dairy free pesto.
    Pinterest Pin poster with a small bowl filled with dairy free pesto.
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    This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.

    This easy dairy-free pesto recipe uses simple ingredients like fresh basil, pine nuts, and fresh lemon juice to make an amazing vegan pesto sauce.

    A bowl of dairy free pesto sitting on a towel with pine nuts and lemons on the sides of the bowl

    Classic pesto is filled with parmesan cheese but this homemade pesto has all the delicious flavor of traditional basil pesto but without all the dairy. Store-bought pesto usually is filled with preservatives and dairy and lacks freshness. So, I wanted to make a vegan and Whole30 version that has a super creamy texture fresh flavor.

    Every spring I plant a vegetable and herb garden. I love having fresh herbs on hand all the time! Basil plants are always my favorite to plant because they are easy to take care of and grow, and then I have basil on hand to easily make fresh pesto.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Step by step
    • Frequently asked questions
    • What to serve with
    • Storing
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    Fresh basil in a glass bowl with avocado oil in a measuring cup, garlic cloves, a lemon, pine nuts in a measuring cup, and salt and pepper in a small bowl sitting next to it

    Substitutions

    Basil- In my option pesto isn't pesto without basil, but you can use baby spinach if you can't find fresh basil.

    Pine nuts- Pine nuts add such a nice nutty flavor to this healthy pesto recipe, but you can use walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.

    Avocado oil- You can substitute extra virgin olive oil or safflower oil.

    Nutritional yeast- To add a little cheesy flavor, you can add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.

    Step by step

    a food processor filled with basil, garlic cloves, pine nuts, avocado oil, salt, and pepper
    a food processor with blended dairy free pesto inside
    1. Add the basil, fresh garlic, salt, pepper, avocado oil, nutritional yeast, and pine nuts to a large food processor.
    2. Blend until fully combined and creamy.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does pesto have dairy?

    Traditional pesto recipes have cheese in them. This pesto recipe doesn't have any dairy in it and still has that traditional pesto flavor.

    Can you buy dairy-free pesto?

    There are a few dairy-free pestos that you can buy at grocery stores, but making homemade dairy-free pesto is so easy and once you have fresh pesto you won't want to buy jarred pesto from your local grocery store again.

    What to serve with

    Here are some great ways to use your pesto.

    • Use it as a pasta sauce (pesto pasta is my favorite way to use this sauce).
    • Salad dressing. Add a little more oil for a thinner sauce that is perfect on salads.
    • On top of a steak
    • Tossed with roasted potatoes
    • Spread on toast or bread
    • Use a dip with pita chips
    • On top of eggs
    • Add it to pizza

    Storing

    If you have leftover pesto you can store it in an airtight container (wide-mouth pint mason jars are great for storing pesto) in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

    If you grow basil and have a bunch to use, you can make a big batch of this pesto and freeze it for up to 3 months for later use. Pesto cubes are the easiest way to freeze pesto. Fill silicone ice cube trays with the pesto and freeze. Once the pesto is frozen, you can transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container and use them when needed.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating or comment! Your feedback is so important to me.

    Recipe

    Dairy Free Pesto

    Kaleena Martinez
    This easy dairy-free pesto recipe uses simple ingredients like fresh basil, pine nuts, and fresh lemon juice to make an amazing vegan pesto sauce.
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Sides
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 16 tablespoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups fresh basil (packed)
    • ½ cup avocado oil
    • ¼ cup pine nuts
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 large garlic cloves
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse till it is a blended and creamy.

    EQUIPMENT NEEDED

    • food processor

    Notes

    Substitutions
    Basil- In my option pesto isn't pesto without basil, but you can use baby spinach if you can't find fresh basil.
    Pine nuts- Pine nuts add such a nice nutty flavor to this healthy pesto recipe, but you can use walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
    Avocado oil- You can substitute extra virgin olive oil or safflower oil.
    Nutritional yeast- To add a little cheesy flavor, you can add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.
    Frequently asked questions
    Does pesto have dairy?
    Traditional pesto recipes have cheese in them. This pesto recipe doesn't have any dairy in it and still has that traditional pesto flavor.
    Can you buy dairy-free pesto?
    There are a few dairy-free pestos that you can buy at grocery stores, but making homemade dairy-free pesto is so easy and once you have fresh pesto you won't want to buy jarred pesto from your local grocery store again.
    What to serve with
    Here are some great ways to use your pesto.
    • Use it as a pasta sauce (pesto pasta is my favorite way to use this sauce).
    • Salad dressing. Add a little more oil for a thinner sauce that is perfect on salads.
    • On top of a steak
    • Tossed with roasted potatoes
    • Spread on toast or bread
    • Use a dip with pita chips
    • On top of eggs
    • Add it to pizza
    Storing
    If you have leftover pesto you can store it in an airtight container (wide-mouth pint mason jars are great for storing pesto) in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
    If you grow basil and have a bunch to use, you can make a big batch of this pesto and freeze it for up to 3 months for later use. Pesto cubes are the easiest way to freeze pesto. Fill silicone ice cube trays with the pesto and freeze. Once the pesto is frozen, you can transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container and use them when needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 73mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 159IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.2mg

    *nutrition information is an approximate

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    Welcome to my kitchen! I am so happy that you're here! My name is Kaleena- I am a 30 something Texan, wife, and dog mom who loves traveling and all things food. Here you will find mostly gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30, and Paleo friendly recipes that your whole family will love!

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