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Overhead view of spoon in a small glass jar filled with pesto.
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Easy Vegan Pesto

Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings: 8 (1 cup)
Calories: 127kcal
Author: Nisha Vora

Ingredients

  • 3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves (36g)
  • 1/3 cup (45-50g) pine nuts, toasted (see Note 1)
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 medium lemon, zested and then juiced (optional, see Note 2)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon nutritional yeast, plus more to taste (optional, see Note 3)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Toast the pine nuts: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the pine nuts and toss occasionally to prevent burning, until they are golden and release a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the toasted pine nuts and garlic to a food processor and pulse repeatedly until you have a fine crumb (but not paste). Add the basil, half of the lemon zest, half of the lemon juice, salt, black pepper to taste, and nutritional yeast (if using). Blend until a paste forms, scraping down the sides as you go along. Push the paste into the middle of the food processor.
  • With the motor running, stream in the extra virgin olive oil to start to form a sauce. Scrape down the sides again, and stream in more oil as needed until you have a smooth yet thick texture. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt, lemon, garlic, or nutritional yeast as needed. If you’d like a smoother texture but have reached the right amount of oiliness, add a tablespoon of water and blend again.
  • Store in an airtight glass jar in the fridge for 5 days.

Video

Notes

  1. If you need to substitute pine nuts, my favorites in this recipe are pistachios or walnuts.
  2. Lemon isn’t traditionally used in classic basil pesto, but I really like a little lemon zest and juice here. Feel free to omit or start with just a little bit.
  3. Add the nutritional yeast for a savory, subtly cheesy flavor. Or, if you have a vegan parmesan cheese you really like, add a few tablespoons (make sure you love the flavor of it though!).