A perfectly simple, easy vegan basil pesto recipe. Basil pesto brights up any dish but is perfect on pasta or pizza. A dairy-free pesto for every day but the flavors are anything but ordinary.
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…. you can check out the rest here. We use it over gluten free pasta, spaghetti squash, grilled eggplant but most often just on some fresh garden tomatoes.
How to Make Vegan Basil Pesto
Vegan Basil Pesto is simple to make. The key is to place all the ingredients into your food process EXCEPT the olive oil. This is one of the few times where I am convinced nutritional yeast really does make a cheesy difference, but certainly you can skip it.
Give it a few good pulses to break up the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. The picture below gives a great in process view of the basil breaking down.
Only once everything is all minced up can you begin to slowly drizzle in the olive oil. If using as a pizza spread, go light on the oil. If coating pasta you may want to add a little more.
What is your favorite way to serve up vegan basil pesto? Let us know int he comments below!!!
Easy Vegan Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 3 c basil leaves, light packed remove large stems
- 1/4 c pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4-1/2 c olive oil
- salt & pepper, to taste
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 1/4 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.
My name is Jen. I believe that food (and life) should be fun. Join me as I create healthy recipes that focus on healing your body through food. Who says healthy has to be boring? 
Katherine says
Where is the recipie?
Jen says
Oh no! We fixed it. Thank you so much for letting us know about the issue. Cheers!
Kathi says
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!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
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!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
Love this pesto! So handy to keep it in the fridge for quick fix meals!
Kelly Anthony says
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!
Jay Joy says
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!
Emily says
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.