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–+ servings
easy vegan basil pesto in white bowl with spoon on white plate

Perfect Vegan Pesto

Emily Miller
This easy vegan basil pesto comes together quickly and is perfect for pasta, pizza, sandwiches, or as a dip!
5 from 27 votes
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 127 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 to 2 large cloves garlic peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 3 cups fresh basil rinsed and dried gently, lightly packed
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast optional
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toast the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet in the oven for approximately 8 minutes. After they turn slightly golden take them out of the oven to cool.
  • Chop the garlic in the food processor for several pulses.
  • Place the basil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sea salt, and pine nuts in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse several times until mixed. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  • Add olive oil in a steady stream and continue pulsing until it is combined. Use immediately, or refer to notes for storage instructions.

Notes

  • As noted above, the nutritional yeast is optional but I recommend it for the cheesy flavor. The pesto is delicious without it also.
  • If you prefer a thinner pesto, add water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
  • If not using the immediately, place in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.
  • Pesto freezes well. Place it in ice cube trays, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the freezer for up to one month.

Nutrition

Serving: 8servingsCalories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 3gFat: 12.3gSaturated Fat: 1.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 1.9mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1.3gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 839IUVitamin C: 5.4mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword 30-minute, basil pesto, Gluten-free, vegan basil pesto recipe, vegan pesto
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Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.