This 5-minute easy vegan pesto is an absolute must in any kitchen! Perfect spread for your pizza, pasta, salad and many more dishes!
Happy Spring equinox guys!!!!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited and happy I am for the new season to officially start! Longer days (helllllooooo all that extra daylight and photo opportunities!), warmer temperatures, and everything is starting to turn green...
...speaking of which, today's recipe for this easy vegan pesto fits perfectly! It's super vibrant green colour will brighten up even the most boring dish, and if you ask me, it even looks like a spring in a jar...
I've been obsessed with green pesto for years, and it's one of these things that is always in my fridge. It's an absolute life saviour when you hungry and short of time or simply just fancy quick and easy lunch or dinner!
My easy vegan pesto recipe uses only 6 ingredients, and takes max of 5 minutes to make, so it literally doesn't get easier than this! The main ingredient, like in a classic pesto, is fresh basil, but you can also add some of your favourite greens, if you want to mix it up. Some spinach or kale, mixed with basil, will also create a wonderful flavours and textures. But it doesn't have to stop there, you can also use broad beans, peas, artichokes or mint. Experimenting with all these different flavours is a great way to find out what you actually like most!
Pine nuts are used traditionally, but as they can be quiet pricey, this can be customised. Walnuts or hazelnuts will also work well, and so would most of nuts actually.
If you are unable to use nuts, you can still make pesto, just simply add extra basil (or greens) in a place of nuts, and mix until the desired consistency is achieved.
This easy vegan pesto can be used to jazz up dishes like:
- pasta (...duh! my absolute favourite way to use pesto)
- pizza (see my Cauliflower Pizza Crust for some recipe inspiration)
- as an addition to your favourite dip
- as an addition to your mash (it also would go sooooo well with gnocchi, see my Gnocchi recipe for some inspiration)
- salads
- savoury bakes, like muffins or pastries
- spread it on toast
... possibilities are endless!
Enjoy your week ahead, and let me know if you're as happy about the spring as I am!
Talk soon,
A.
5-minute Easy Vegan Pesto
Ingredients
- 150 g fresh basil
- 160 g pine nuts (can also use walnuts)
- 2 medium garlic cloves (roughly chopped)
- 115 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Using a small food processor or blender, place all of the ingredients apart from extra virgin olive oil together, and blend until the mixture is coarsely ground and forms a loose paste.
- Add olive oil, a little at time, and blend a bit more, until the ingredients are combined.
Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.
Trinity Bourne
Oh yes please - this sounds delicious and looks so incredibly vibrant!
annabanana
Thanks so much Trinity!
I do love that green colour! And happy to hear you like it too!
Jenn
I love pesto! It's such a versatile condiment. Can't wait until it's warm enough to plant my garden and we have loads of fresh basil!
annabanana
That sounds wonderful Jenn, I would love to have my own herb garden (or any garden for that matter)! Happy planting!
Edyta at Innocent Delight
I really love good pesto. never made vegan version but I really like this idea.
annabanana
Hi Edyta,
Thanks so much, if you've never tried a vegan pesto, then this one is definitely for you 😉
Traci
Yum Anna! Love a good vegan pesto any day of the week! In fact, I think pesto is my favorite spread of all time 🙂 Thanks for the vegan inspiration...pinning this one!
annabanana
Hey Traci!
That is awesome! I'm with you on that one, I think it's probably higher in my ranks than a chocolate spread!
Glad you like this one, and I hope you will try it some time soon!
rebecca
this is such a gorgeous pesto! thank you for sharing!
annabanana
you are more than welcome Rebecca, thanks for stopping by!
Deborah Leader
Ohhhh, I get so happy when I see vegan recipes, I just love this! And your pictures are so beautiful. Can't wait to try.
annabanana
Hey Deborah,
Thanks so much for your kind comment and for stopping by! Although I'm not a vegan myself, I do like to create vegan recipes, and I'm happy to hear that you enjoy them too! Let me know if you try it!
Jasmin / VeeatCookBake
Homemade pesto is the best. Can't wait for my basil which I planted a few weeks ago 🙂
annabanana
Thanks Jasmin!
I've heard that 'homemade pesto is the besto'! And I love growing my own herbs too, they taste and smell million times better than the shop-bought ones!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Your vegan pesto sauce looks so delicious! What a gorgeous color and consistency!! I can't wait to make your delicious pesto!
annabanana
Aww thank you Elaine!
I'm over the moon to hear that! I hope you will like it, and let me know if yo make it!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
Who can say no to a good pesto!?!?! I've never added nutritional yeast, but I can see how it'd make a 'cheesy' plant-based substitute! Pinning!
annabanana
You are so right Tina!
And nutritional yeast works great in this recipe, it adds that nutty, cheesy flavour! I'm very happy to hear you like the recipe! Thanks so much!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I love pesto and could enjoy on just about anything! Love how easy this is and the colour is so vibrant and pretty!
annabanana
Thanks so much Dawn! I'm not ashamed to say I will happily eat this stuff straight out of jar! 😉 It's just soooo good! Glad you are also a fan!