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Best Vegan Pesto Sauce

May 5, 2020 by Connie Edwards McGaughy Leave a Comment

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Best Vegan Pesto Sauce 🌱A vibrant fusion of fresh spinach, basil, pistachios, brightened with a splash of lemon & garlic. If you like pesto, you’re going to LOVE this healthy, delicious and easy recipe!

pesto tomatoes and french bread

The first time I tried pesto sauce was many years ago at a popular upscale Italian restaurant in La Jolla, California. Offered as a starter before the meal, the sauce consisted of olive oil with a small amount of basil, ground pine nuts, grated parmesan, and minced garlic . . . basically, a traditional pesto. Vegan parmesan wasn’t a thing at that time and since I had not yet transitioned to 100% dairy-free, I happily enjoyed dipping pieces of warm bread into that sauce.

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vegan pesto sauce on french bread

Over the years, I have sampled many versions of pesto sauces – restaurant, store-bought, and homemade. I’ve tasted pesto made with cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, kale, even avocado. Some of them had pepitas, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or cashews added. Some had no oil. Others were swimming in oil. I discovered that my favorite recipes had less oil and no pine nuts. Call me weird, but I find pine nuts to be a bit fishy-tasting, a flavor (frankly) I don’t want to taste in anything I eat.

What is Pesto?

The origin of this rich, bright green sauce that we know & love can be traced back to ancient times when Romans ate a similar paste-like sauce called “moretum”. Made of crushed garlic, herbs, salt, cheese, olive oil & vinegar, the sauce evolved with the addition of nuts and eventually, basil. The pesto we know today originated in Genoa, Italy and is often made with a mortar and pestle. In fact, the word “pesto” is past tense for the Genoese verb “pestare,” meaning “to crush.”

vegan pesto sauce

Recently, my husband John was getting creative in the kitchen – as he so often does. I walked in to see what he was up to, when he handed me a slice of sourdough baguette topped with this amazing green spread. I took one bite and couldn’t believe what I was tasting. It was INCREDIBLE!

We wiped out the entire batch in less than two days. When he told me the ingredients he used, I loved it just that much more!

pesto on bread
pesto ingredients

How to Make the Best Vegan Pesto Sauce

You won’t believe how simple and easy it is to prepare this awesome sauce!

Unlike a traditional basil pesto, this wonderful recipe’s main ingredient is spinach, with some basil included for that authentic flavor. The addition of pistachios, garlic, fresh lemon, sea salt and just a touch of olive oil boosts the intensity of this thick sauce, giving it a rich, irresistible flavor & texture.

Ingredients

  • 6 oz spinach fresh
  • 1/2 cup pistachios
  • 1 large lemon juiced (5-6 tbsp)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin

See the full recipe below.

fresh spinach inside colander

This recipe requires only a few basic cooking tools. You will need an electric food processor or blender, a 4 qt. stovetop pot, a strainer or colander, measuring spoons and cup, a cutting board and knife.

🥕Cooking Tip: The first thing you’ll want to do is thoroughly wash your spinach. We like to remove the stems, because they can be a bit bitter. Next, blanch the spinach in a pot of boiling water for about 2 minutes. Strain all the excess water.

Grind the pistachios in a food processor or blender. Add the rest of your ingredients and pulse until smooth. Add olive oil as needed. That’s it. So easy!

  • blanched spinach
  • ingredients to make best vegan pesto sauce
  • spinach in food processor

Grab a baguette or fresh loaf of sourdough & dig in!

What is pesto sauce served with?

Pesto is the ultimate secret sauce. It’s like a splash of vibrant color painted on a blank canvas. Any savory food item or dish that needs the volume boosted with intense flavor – this is your spread. Try it sprinkled with this yummy vegan parmesan!

🥕This easy vegan pesto sauce is fantastic served on:

  • Pasta
  • Vegan Zucchini Ravioli – one of our fan favorites!
  • Vegan Spinach Ricotta Shells – sooooo gooood!
  • Crusty artisan bread
  • Bread sticks
  • Pita
  • Pizza
  • Tofu
  • Sandwiches
  • Vegan Meatballs – you’ll love this recipe!
  • Burgers
  • Baked potatoes
  • Fries
  • Crackers
  • Veggies
  • Imagine the possibilities!

Aren’t you excited about trying this? You should be . . . it’s DELICIOUS!

Yum

very vegan 🌱 very good

vegan pesto sauce on bread

Best Vegan Pesto Sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 56kcal
Author: Connie 🥕
Best Vegan Pesto Sauce 🌱A vibrant fusion of fresh spinach, basil & pistachios, brightened with a splash of lemon, garlic and just a touch of EVOO. If you like pesto, you're going to LOVE this healthy, delicious and easy recipe!
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • food processor or blender
  • 4 qt stovetop pot
  • strainer or colander
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • kitchen knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

  • 6 oz spinach fresh
  • 1/2 cup pistachios
  • 1 large lemon juiced 5-6 tbsp
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin

Instructions

  • Thoroughly rinse spinach. Remove stems.
  • Fill 4 qt stovetop pot with water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Place spinach leaves in pot. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes.
  • Remove spinach immediately. Run under cold water. Squeeze out all excess liquid.
  • In a food processor or blender, pulse pistachios until finely ground.
  • Add garlic. Pulse.
  • Add spinach, basil, lemon juice, salt and olive oil.
  • Pulse until fully pureed and smooth.
  • Add more olive oil, if desired, one tsp at a time.
  • Enjoy immediately. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Notes

🥕We love this pesto on the thick side, making it more like a spread instead of a sauce. If you prefer it saucier, gradually add a small amount of olive oil – one tsp at a time. 
🥕I suggest making this shortly before serving it. The intense green color is its brightest the first few hours after preparing. So pretty!
🥕Enjoy this super delish & nutrish pesto sauce on pasta, pizza, bread, potatoes, veggies, vegan meatballs, burgers, sandwiches, fries . . . anything you want to add a vibrant blast of flavor!
🥕You can add grated vegan parmesan if desired. We love to sprinkle our easy vegan parmesan on pasta or pizza with this yummy vegan pesto!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1377IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I love to see your photos!Mention @thecarrotunderground or tag #thecarrotunderground!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please consider rating it using stars in the comments below. It helps other readers and allows more people to find it online. I love hearing from you! Let’s keep in touch!

If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please consider rating it using stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️in the comments below. It helps other readers and allows more people to find it online. I love hearing from you! Let’s keep in touch!

Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Condiments, gluten-free, Outdoor Entertaining, Plant Based, Potluck, Vegan Appetizers and Starters, Vegan Dips, Vegan Dressings and Spreads, Vegan Dressings, Spreads & Sauces, Vegan Recipes, Vegan Sauces, WFPB, Whole Food Plant Based Tagged With: best easy vegan pesto sauce, best plant based pesto sauce, best vegan appetizers, best vegan pesto sauce, dairy-free pesto, easy vegan pesto sauce, pesto, pesto sauce without pine nuts, plant-based pesto sauce, spinach pesto, vegan pesto sauce, vegan spinach pesto, vegan spinach pistachio pesto

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Hi, I'm Connie,

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