Vegan Walnut Pesto

Being from an Italian family, there are certain foods that I really struggled to give up, pizza, pasta, eggplant parm, lasagna, and of course, pesto! I LOVE anything basil, so it was pretty much a given that I would start making Vegan Pesto. I wanted a recipe that wasn’t ALL oil, so that I could add it to veggies, as well as pasta, and still be healthy! I found a recipe by The Minimalist Baker and adapted it to my needs. I used Raw Walnuts instead of the traditional Pine Nuts, because I wanted the Pesto to have healthy Omega-3s and also still have that nutty flavor. I also cut back on the oil (you can leave it out completely) and used Vegan Broth instead. This still adds a little flavor, and liquid, without all the fat!

This Pesto is still SO flavorful, you will want to lick the bowl! It’s amazing on pasta, Sourdough Toast, drizzled over pizza, or added to dough, to make a delicious Pesto Sourdough Bread! (Yes, I know I am obsessed with Sourdough Bread find my Sourdough Recipe HERE!)

HOWEVER you like your Pesto, this recipe is super easy! Just add all your ingredients to the food processor, or small blender, and Presto! Vegan Pesto!

Print Recipe

Vegan Walnut Pesto

This Pesto so flavorful, you will want to lick the bowl! This is amazing on pasta, toast, or added to dough to make a delicious Pesto Sourdough Bread! However you like your pesto, this recipe is super easy, all you have to do is add ALL your ingredients to the food processor and PRESTO! PESTO!

Course

Sauces & Dressings, Side Dish

Prep Time

5 min

Servings

tbsp

Ingredients

• 2 packed cups Fresh Basil
• 1/4 cup Raw Walnuts
• 3-5 cloves Garlic (peeled)
• 1 medium Lemon (juiced) (about 2 tbsp)
• 4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 5 tbsp Vegan Broth (more if needed)
• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive OIl (Leave this out for oil free option)
• 1/2 tsp Salt to Taste

Course Sauces & Dressings, Side Dish Prep Time 5 min Servings tbsp Ingredients 2 packed cups Fresh Basil 1/4 cup Raw Walnuts 3-5 cloves Garlic (peeled) 1 medium Lemon (juiced) (about 2 tbsp) 4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast 5 tbsp Vegan Broth (more if needed) 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive OIl (Leave this out for oil free option) 1/2 tsp Salt to Taste

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to the food processor. Blend until the pesto is a similar consistency throughout.
2. If needed, add a little Vegan Broth at a time until the pesto is less thick and more fluid.
3. Adjust taste by adding more nutritional yeast for a "cheesy" flavor, lemon for more tang, walnuts for more texture and nutty flavor, and Vegan Broth or oil for more liquid. You can add some more salt and also add pepper if you feel you need more complete flavor.
4. Store your pesto in a glass container with a sealed lid. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

   
5. Enjoy on pasta, on pizza, or incorporate it into your bread for a delicious Pesto Bread!