This easy Vegan Pesto tastes like traditional pesto but without any dairy! A Whole30 pesto recipe that is ready in minutes and freezes great!
Vegan Pesto Recipe
Summer is here (it feels so good to say that!) and in my house, that means one thing — Basil Pesto.
You might remember we talked about it last year at the end of the summer when I posted my a pesto recipe on social. I grew basil plants all summer just to make homemade pesto for my husband’s birthday dinner.
This easy and delicious vegan basil pesto comes together in a snap and all you need is a few ingredients and a food processor. You’ll love this vegan version just as much if not more than regular cheese filled pesto. It has all the same basil and garlic flavors you’ll love.
What Makes This Pesto Vegan?
Since our eating has changed so much in the past year and my standby pesto is loaded with yummy Parmesan cheese, I decided to create a Paleo Pesto Recipe based on my traditional Basil Pesto.
To make this recipe vegan it doesn’t take too much changing at all. The secret ingredient here is 1 Tablespoon of nutritional yeast. Just enough to add that umami flavor but not enough to overwhelm the basil, garlic, pine nuts or oil.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh basil leaves
- Toasted pine nuts
- Cloves of garlic
- Nutritional yeast
- Kosher salt
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Extra virgin olive oil
How To Make Vegan Pesto
You might think buying store-bought pesto is your best option because of the convenience and ease of not having to make it yourself, but trying to find a vegan pesto easily without having to pay an arm and a leg might be more hassle than just making your own batch.
Prepping your own sauce doesn’t really get any easier than this, just combine all ingredients except olive oil in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and slowly add in olive oil. Transfer finished pesto to storage jars or serve and Enjoy!
Can I Store Some For Later?
Absolutely! This pesto sauce is perfect for making extra and storing. You can store it fresh in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. It also freezes great so feel free to double or even triple the batch. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Ways To Serve Pesto Sauce
The beauty of pesto is that it’s great with just about any dish. Take almost any basic plain old dish and spruce it up with a little pesto sauce to take your meal to a whole other level in no time!
I love always having a jar of vegan pesto stashed in the fridge for those nights when I only have the energy to put minimal effort into making dinner. With the pesto sauce already pressed and ready, all that’s left to do is cook up some pasta, chicken, or whatever is in my refrigerator, slather on some pesto and we’re good to go.
Recipes that use Vegan Pesto:
Pesto Cauliflower Rice with Shrimp
Pesto Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Zucchini Noodle Soup with Pesto
Shrimp and Pesto Stuffed Peppers
Tips For Making Vegan Pesto
- Make sure you use the freshest garlic possible. If you cut into the garlic cloves and see a vein of green, the garlic may be bitter in your pesto.
- I usually store homemade pesto in small mason jars. Think of this likeGuacamole – the less air, the better. Fill the jar or container to the very top, immediately cover and refrigerate or freeze for later. When you use some, use a piece of wax paper to press down on the top and limit air exposure.
- Toast the pine nuts by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the pine nuts in one even layer and cook 4 to 5 minutes, turning and tossing frequently.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
This easy Vegan Pesto tastes like traditional pesto but without any dairy! A Whole30 pesto recipe that is ready in minutes and freezes great!
- 4 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup raw pine nuts toasted
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
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Combine all ingredients except olive oil in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
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Process until smooth and slowly add in olive oil.
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Transfer finished pesto to storage jars or serve and Enjoy!
- Make sure you use the freshest garlic possible. If you cut into the garlic cloves and see a vein of green, the garlic may be bitter in your pesto.
- I usually store homemade pesto in small mason jars. Think of this like Guacamole – the less air, the better. Fill the jar or container to the very top, immediately cover and refrigerate or freeze for later. When you use some, use a piece of wax paper to press down on the top and limit air exposure. Alternately, pour a small amount of olive oil on the top and stir in before using.
- Toast the pine nuts by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the pine nuts in one even layer and cook 4 to 5 minutes, turning and tossing frequently.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
UPDATE NOTES: This post was originally published in July 2013 and updated in June 2019 with edited photos, better instructions, and more information.
Wow! Surprising that its dairy-free! Tastes like the traditional version!
Thanks so much!
Thank you! I’ve been on the hunt for a good vegan pesto recipe now that my garden is bursting with basil!
Perfect! We make a batch every week when basil is growing!
My favorite new pesto recipe! Everyone loved it at home.
Yay!! Love it and thanks for taking the time to comment!
Great recipe! I am vegan and use your veggie recipes happily. In the spring I use ramps (wild scallions found in the woods) instead of basil and as the summer progresses all or part of the basil can be mixed/substituted with kale or chard. mmmmm
Thank you so much Devorah! I bet this is fantastic with ramps!
It says to “see notes” about the garlic…but I’m not seeing the notes….sorry – maybe I’m overlooking them. Any special directions??
The notes are listed right above the recipe in the body of the post!
Ah…yes! Sorry! I was looking below. Got it!
What is nutritional yeast?
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/get-know-nutritional-yeast
Looks yummy! Is there another alternative for the Pine Nuts – nut allergy!
Hi Fanny – you could use toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. The taste will obviously be a bit different so taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Maybe we could use walnuts? I will make it tomorrow and let you know!
How did it turn out with walnuts?
Delicious! For me walnuts are a daily treat-full of omega 3-so I love that taste.
Hello! I am new to making pesto. You mentioned that it could be frozen – is it possible to freeze it in an ice cube tray then put it into a freezer bag? I wasn’t sure if it would be possible because you mention that it needs to be kept from the open air….Thanks!
Hi Kelly! Absolutely – an ice cube tray is perfect for freezing pesto cubes.
Instead of the wax paper I add a layer of olive oil to exclude the air. Every time you remove the pesto from the jar, either tip out the oil in to a container to add to the top again or incorporate it with the pesto to add to your pasta. Make sure you wipe down the sides of the jar before adding another layer of oil as any residue of pesto will turn nasty and could effect the remaining pesto when you use it next. Nice pun on the can-didate EverydayMaven. 😉
Great idea on the oil Margot!
I am on a yeast and sugar free diet for IC. Can I leave out the yeast?
Sure Patsy! It will change the taste a bit though so just be prepared for that.
Five stars! Absolutely delicious! Wouldn’t have believed a dairy-free, wheat-free meatball could be so good. Thank you!
Thanks Lauren!
Can this be canned? I think this would make great gifts at Christmas (a little taste of summer in the winter!)
Hi Lori,
I don’t can that much but I think this is a perfect candidate!
Spinach or Kale are great pesto add-ins. They also help to keep your pesto bright green, which is an added bonus. I LOVE nutritional yeast. Especially on coconut oil popped popcorn – my occasional super-treat!
I love nutritional yeast – sometimes I eat a spoonful of it (just be careful not to inhale ;). This sounds so good, we eat pesto all through the summer.
Me too Jeanette – I LOVE it so much.
Can you somehow incorporate your notes into the print version of the recipe?
Hi Ellen,
That is a really great idea – I’ll look into it!
I love pesto and need to make some more to stash in the freezer!
I love pesto, how wonderful that you were able to create a paleo version!
Thanks Laura 🙂
Nice take on pesto! I do like the cheese, but when I’m freezing it I make it without and freeze – then mix cheese in when I’m ready. Fortunately we can grow basil, but it’s easy to buy great quality at this time of the year, so maybe I should devote garden space to something else. Fun recipe – thanks.
I used to do the same thing with the cheese. This version is nice because you don’t even have to worry about adding anything in!
What a lovely bright a delicious pesto!!
Thanks so much – we have been using it on EVERYTHING!
Love this! It’s really the perfect way to use up some of my large store of nutritional yeast!
Joanne – have you ever tried Nutritional Yeast on popcorn? OMG, sooooo good!
How exactly do you add nutritional yeast to popcorn?