Dairy-Free Basil Pesto

There are a few key foods that feel hard to replace when you decide to go dairy-free. Finding a good plant based butter, an ice cream that satisfies your cravings without having a weird texture and traditional elements that are hard to replicate. Pesto was a surprisingly big deal when it came down to it for me, there were a lot of dishes where I incorporated it and I just couldn’t find a dairy-free version in the grocery store. Wanting to pay proper credit and recognition to Bad Manners (formerly Thug Kitchen) for the foundation of this recipe. I was beyond thankful when I found their version and made a minor tweak to fit my tastes. Used in The Best G-Damn Lasagna this Dairy-Free Basil Pesto adds so much depth, and stands alone on pasta so well.

There aren’t many modifiers or substitutions for this mix, I will add any as I find them; but the Cauldron Corner will be at the bottom as always!

Dairy-Free Basil Pesto

Cauldrons and Cookies Team

This super versatile pesto is great on pasta, sandwiches and will add depth to complex dishes. Being able to enjoy this without needing dairy is such a game changer.

Print Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

  

• ⅓ cup Slivered or sliced almonds Toasted
• 1¼ cup packed torn basil leaves
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Water
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 2-3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• ½ tsp Lemon zest
• ½ tsp Salt
• 2-3 Garlic cloves

Instructions

 

• Toast the almonds by either laying them on a cookie sheet and baking at 350 °F for 7-8 minutes or in a dry skillet for 4-5 minutes.
• Put the basil and almonds in a food processor and chop a few times to get started.
• Add in the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. If it looks a bit dry you can add in more oil or water depending on your taste. That's it, enjoy!

Keyword basil, dairy-free, pesto

Modifiers and Substitutions

Nuts: Substitute the nuts as needed, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds all work great in this Dairy-free Basil Pesto.

Cauldron Corner

• Basil: Love, exorcism, wealth, sympathy, and protection. Dispels confusion, fears & weakness.
• Garlic: Strengths, courage, endurance, protection, health, inspiration, male fertility
• Lemon: Romance, love, friendship, creative energy, joy, happiness, fulfillment, break bad habits, purification
• Salt: Protection, purification, barrier, shield
• Olive: Luck, protection, peace, harmony, fertility
• Almonds: Banish addiction, fertility, luck, beauty, wealth, love