The Vegan Lemon Pesto is tasty and has 145 kcal per serving. Takes ten minutes to prepare this condiment. Serve this sauce at holidays, breakfast, feasts, events, lunches, functions, get-togethers, festivals, or celebrations. It contains basil leaves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, sea salt, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, virgin olive oil, and water. This recipe contains pine nuts; omit them or replace them with pumpkin seeds if you have a nut allergy. We may pair this lemon pesto with roasted broccoli, green beans, lemon pesto orzo, hummus wrap, grilled zucchini, quinoa bowl, roasted chickpeas, white beans, crackers, or baked tofu. You may keep this Vegan Lemon Pesto for 5 days in the refrigerator.
STATS:
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Course: Condiment
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Cooking Time: Nil
- Diet: Vegan
- Cuisine: Italian
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
EQUIPMENT:
- Food processor
- Measuring cups
- Citrus juicer
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Airtight storage container
INGREDIENTS:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Quarter tsp sea salt
- Quarter cup pine nuts
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1-2 tbsp water
- Two cloves garlic
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- Two tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
INGREDIENT NOTES:
BASIL LEAVES:
This is the main ingredient that gives classic green color and pair well with the lemon and garlic. Dry the washed basil leaves properly, then blend to remove the extra moisture. You may use baby spinach as per your preference.
PINE NUTS:
They give a rich and creamy texture to the pesto. Pine nuts have natural oil that makes the sauce smooth. You may use walnuts as an alternative.
NUTRITIONAL YEAST:
It gives a rich and cheesy taste without using dairy products. Nutritional yeast blends easily in the pesto and gives an umami taste to make the sauce more satisfying. Include vegan Parmesan cheese as a substitute in this recipe.
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:
This oil makes the smooth pesto of dry ingredients. It pairs well with the basil and lemon. You may use avocado oil as another idea.
LEMON JUICE:
It provides a refreshing citrus flavor to the pesto. Lemon juice has acidity that maintains the richness of olive oil and nuts. You may use fresh lime juice as per your choice.
SEA SALT:
Salt improves the natural tastes of all the ingredients in the sauce. It maintains the acidity of the lemon and the richness of olive oil. You may use kosher salt as another option.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, wash the basil leaves and dry them properly.
- Include basil, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic, lemon juice, pepper, and lemon zest in the food processor.
- Then pulse the processor several times to chop the ingredients roughly.
- Include olive oil gradually during blending.
- Keep processing till you get smooth and creamy pesto.
- To make the sauce thin, you may include 1 tbsp water once at a time.
- Lastly, serve the sauce or keep it for later use.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
VEGETABLES:
- Roasted Broccoli
- Grilled Zucchini
- Roasted Asparagus
- Green Beans
SANDWICHES AND WRAPS:
- Veggie Sandwich
- Grilled Vegetable Wrap
- Hummus Wrap
- Avocado Sandwich
GRAIN BOWLS:
- Quinoa Bowl
- Brown Rice Bowl
- Farro Salad
- Couscous Bowl
PROTEIN:
- Baked Tofu
- Grilled Tempeh
- Roasted Chickpeas
- White Beans
APPETIZERS:
- Crostini
- Crackers
- Fresh Vegetable Platter
- Bruschetta
TIPS:
- Use fresh basil to get the best taste and bright green color in the recipe.
- Toast the pine nuts lightly for a richer taste, then add them to the sauce.
- Include olive oil gradually for a smoother texture.
- Store the sauce after including a thin layer of oil on the top to keep the lemon pesto fresh.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put the lemon pesto in the box to keep for five days.
FREEZER:
- You may freeze the pesto in cubes till they become solid, then freeze it in the box for 90 days.
FAQs:
Is this sauce nut-free?
- Yes, if you replace pine nuts with sunflower seeds.
Can I include dried basil in the recipe?
- Yes, but fresh basil provides a better taste.
What makes the pesto brown?
- Keeping it uncovered makes the pesto brown. You may store the sauce in the covered box for better color.
Can I exclude nutritional yeast from this condiment?
- Yes, you may omit it, but the sauce will have less cheese taste.
Does this recipe contain gluten?
- No, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 145 kcal
Net Carbs: 2 g
Iron: 1.1 milligrams
Total Carbs: 3 g
Vitamin A: 1,250 IU
Fiber: 1 gram
Calcium: 35 mg
Protein: 2 grams
Sodium: 95 mg
Potassium: 95 milligrams
