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–+ servings

Easy Vegan Almond Pesto

Jennifer Freedman
This easy vegan almond pesto is a unique spin on the standard pesto, using a blend of raw and toasted almonds instead of pine nuts and nutritional yeast instead of cheese. Nutty, cheesy, healthy, and addictive, this may just be your new go-to pesto recipe!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Course Main Course, pasta, sauce
Cuisine American, Italian, Vegan
Servings 8
Calories 139 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 mini food processor or standard size food processor
  • 1 baking sheet
  • silicon baking sheet or parchment paper

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup whole raw almonds, divided
  • 3 cups fresh basil leaves do not use large stems
  • 1-2 garlic cloves 1 large or 2 medium
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 4 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1-3 tablespoons water start with 1
  • dash red pepper flakes optional

Instructions
 

Toast Almonds

  • Preheat oven or toaster oven to 325℉.
  • Lay out half of the raw almonds (1/4 cup) flat over parchment paper or silicon pad on baking sheet.
  • Toast whole almonds for 8-9 minutes (or 6 minutes if using slivered or sliced). Set a timer, as you do not want to over toast almonds.
  • Allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Make Pesto

  • Simply add all ingredients to food processor (starting with 1 tbsp water) and process for about 10-15 seconds. Scrape sides and process again as needed until almonds are ground to desired fineness.
  • Taste. Adjust as necessary:
    - To thin, add additional tablespoon water.
    - For more brightness, add 1 teaspoon lemon.
    - For more cheesiness, add 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast.
    - For more savoriness, add 1/8 tsp sea salt.
    - For a kick, add a dash of red pepper flakes.
    - Is your pesto slightly bitter? See expert tips above recipe card.
    Process again. Taste. Serve.

Notes

Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze in air tight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 146mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg
Keyword almond pesto, dairy-free pesto, vegan almond pesto, vegan Italian, vegan pesto
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