• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Sauces and Salad Dressings

    Published: Mar 14, 2018 · Modified: Aug 19, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Easy Vegan Basil Pesto

    1.8K shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    - Jump to Recipe -
    basil pesto recipe for pinterest

    A perfectly simple, easy vegan basil pesto recipe that you need on repeat. Basil pesto brights up any dish but is perfect on pasta or pizza. This dairy-free pesto version uses just a pinch of nutritional yeast to fill the dairy void while letting the star (obviously, the basil) shine!

    vegan pesto in a bowl with sliced tomatoes

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Recipe Instructions and Tips
    • Basil Pesto Variations
    • More Vegan Sauce Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    Pesto is one of those easy sauces that doesn’t require hours standing over the stove but packs on bunches of flavor. Everyone has their own version of the perfect pesto, but this is our favorite vegan basil pesto.

    It is one of our favorite no-cook sauces. We use it over gluten-free pasta, spaghetti squash, roasted eggplant but most often just on some fresh garden tomatoes.

    Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

    Pesto is a simple recipe with few ingredients. So quality and following the recipe does really count.

    • Basil- Remove the stems and discard leaves with any brown spots.
    • Pine Nuts- Unsalted and lightly toasted. To toast the pine nuts place them in a dry saute pan over medium-low heat. They are done when they turn golden and start to smell nutty.
    • Nutritional Yeast- This is our "cheese". If you aren't a fan of the flavor you can omit or reduce the quantity.
    • Olive Oil- Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
    • Garlic, Lemon Juice, Kosher Salt

    Recipe Instructions and Tips

    The key to pesto is to place all the ingredients into your food processer EXCEPT the olive oil. Give it a few good pulses to break up the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic.

    Only once everything is all minced up can you begin to slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Salt to taste.

    basil pesto ingredients in a blender

    Recipes Tips

    • Blanch the basil if not using right away. This will keep the bright green color.
    • Don't use cheap olive oil, you should like the taste of it on its own.
    • Adjust the amount of olive oil to get the consistency that works for your dish.
    • Use a blender rather than a food processor for the best texture.

    How to Store Pesto

    I prefer to store the pesto in a glass jar with a thin layer of extra olive oil to the top (to prevent any air from getting to it), cover with a lid. It will keep for 5 to 7 days. Expect some browning unless you blanched the pesto.

    For freezing, you can store in the same manner as above or fill ice cube trays with pesto, freeze until hard. Remove the frozen pesto cubes and store freezer-safe plastic bags for up to 6 weeks.

    Basil Pesto Variations

    • Add a half cup of sundried tomatoes.
    • Do 50/50 with another herb. My favorites are parsley, oregano (the most underutilized fresh herb), and mint.
    • Replace the lemon juice with a few slices of preserved lemon peel. I would it the nutritional yeast due to clashing flavors.
    • Replace the pine nuts and EVOO with walnuts and walnut oil. It really brings a unique flavor.
    • Replace the raw garlic with 3-4 cloves of roasted garlic for a sweeter flavor.
    • Increase to 1 ½ cups of olive oil and add 2 tablespoon of white wine vinegar to make a salad dressing.

    More Vegan Sauce Recipes

    We are so happy you stopped by to check out this pesto recipe. Here are some other vegan sauces and spread recipes that don't require cooking. Holla!

    • Wild Ramp Pesto
    • Cashew Cream Cheese with Herbs
    • Quick and Easy Avocado Sauce
    • Gluten_Free Peanut Sauce

    What is your favorite way to serve up vegan basil pesto?  Let us know in the comments below!

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Easy Vegan Basil Pesto

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Easy and quick vegan basil pesto recipe is perfect for pasta, grilled tofu or steamed vegetables.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Dressing, Sauce
    Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
    Servings 6
    Calories 122 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 c basil leaves, light packed remove large stems
    • ¼ c pine nuts, lightly toasted
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon nutritional yeast
    • ¼-1/2 c olive oil
    • kosher salt and pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place basil, pine nuts, lemon juice nutritional yeast, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper into a blender or food processor.  Pulse for 30 seconds to break up the mixture.
    • Turn the blender on high and drizzle in ¼ cup of olive oil. Taste for salt and pepper.
    • Additional oil can be added to thin down the dressing. Perfect if making a pasta sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    See post for tips on storing or freezing your pesto.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 122kcal | Carbs: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Fiber: 1g
    Keyword Basil, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Pesto, Vegan
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • House Salad Dressing
    • Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Mango Habanero Salsa
    1.8K shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Discussion Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love pesto too and this one sounds wonderful. I also love that it is low carb as well as being vegan. I will probably use it on Miracle Noodles or zoodles. Can't wait.

      Reply
    2. Jay Joy says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      Pesto is so delicious. It doesn't look like this recipe steers too far off from the original, which is good! MY co-worker is vegan and we are soooo making this next time she comes over!

      Reply
    3. Kelly Anthony says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy and fast pesto is and the fact that you can put it on almost anything. This pesto is sure to turn any boring meal into something delicious!

      Reply
    4. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Love this pesto! So handy to keep it in the fridge for quick fix meals!

      Reply
    5. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      Pesto is such a classic recipe that can be used in so many ways. I am always on the lookout for the perfect recipe bc I haven't found one that I love. I can't wait to give yours a try!

      Reply
    6. Kathi says

      December 18, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      5 stars
      I have fond memories of shopping for fresh basil at the Pike Place market in Seattle with my Mom then making batches of pesto! Thank you for a vegan version!

      Reply
    7. Katherine says

      December 16, 2018 at 6:47 pm

      Where is the recipie?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        December 18, 2018 at 4:28 pm

        Oh no! We fixed it. Thank you so much for letting us know about the issue. Cheers!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    Subscribe

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange
    • How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    • Homemade Turkey Broth
    • Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens
    • Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

    Popular Recipes

    • Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • San Marzano Tomato Sauce
    • Demerara Syrup
    • Tanghulu
    • Easy Dog Birthday Cake
    • Easy Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2022 Peel with Zeal