Nut Free Vegan Pesto

This nut free vegan pesto is allergy-friendly and made with fresh ingredients like spinach, basil, garlic. It easily comes together in less than 10 minutes and only requires 6 ingredients.

This is an exciting spring and summer season for me because it's my first time having my very own backyard to enjoy during these months. Another first is that I tried my hand at growing an herb and vegetable garden! Luckily, I have a boyfriend who is pretty garden savvy because without him my vegetable garden probably wouldn't have gone over as well. We have seen growth over the past couple of months, and it is truly amazing to be able to eat something that was grown in your own backyard.

We planted a wide variety of things from melons to cucumbers, and lots and lots of herbs! Soon our garden was bursting with goodies ready to be harvested! One herb that ended up thriving was our basil. So I did what any normal person would do and decided to make nut free vegan pesto!

What is Pesto Made of?

Pesto is a fairly simple sauce to make! Traditionally, pesto is made from pine nuts, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and cheese (most likely parmesan cheese).

To make this recipe nut free we are ditching the pine nuts today and instead adding more greens! I prefer the combination of spinach and basil, because their flavors pair perfectly. Plus, a dollop of this pesto adds instant nutrition to any meal!

How to Make Homemade Pesto

Want to hear the best news you've probably heard all day? This nut free vegan pesto only has TWO steps:

1. Wilt the spinach and basil with a drop of oil on the stovetop for a couple of minutes.
2. Add everything to a food processor, and blend until you have your desired consistency.

I highly recommend wilting the spinach and basil on the stovetop because it gives the pesto a richer taste. But, if you don't have the time or don't want to, this pesto is just as good if you toss everything into the food processor!

Recipe Tips

Which kind of cheese do you use in pesto?
Traditionally, pesto has parmesan cheese in it. I used nutritional yeast in this recipe because I love the flavor and nutritional benefits of it. Still, if you prefer parmesan cheese, you can replace the one tablespoon of nutritional yeast with two tablespoons of vegan parmesan cheese. I really like the VioLife brand!

Can you make pesto without basil?
Totally! If you aren't a fan of basil or want to switch it up, swap the basil with other leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula, or even carrot tops.

How do you store pesto?
If you plan on using this pesto shortly after making it, store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. Additionally, this is a great recipe to make a big batch because you can store it in the freezer!

What to use pesto on?
Pesto is a great add-on to so many meals! Add a dollop of pesto to a salad, pasta, pizza, burger, and veggies (really anything).

I hope you enjoy adding this nut free vegan pesto to your sauce line-up because it's:

• Fresh
• Garlicky
• Easy to make
• "Cheesy"
• Loaded with greens
• Versatile
• Allergy-friendly

Let me know if you try out this nut free vegan pesto, and if you do, I would love it if you left a rating and review below! Make sure you are also following along on Instagram and Pinterest for more food inspiration.

More vegan recipes you might like:

• Vegan Garlic Aioli
• Grilled Tofu Burgers
• Mediterranean Buddha Bowls
• Mushroom Mango Ceviche
• Fried Olives Stuffed with Cream Cheese and Garlic
• Vegan Pigs in a Blanket

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