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    Allianna's Kitchen » Recipes » Allergy Friendly

    Published: May 28, 2024 · Modified: Aug 28, 2024 by Allianna Moximchalk · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Nut Free Pesto

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    This creamy Homemade Nut Free Pesto Sauce Recipe is full of flavor and super delicious. This easy pesto recipe is loaded with flavor and packed with nutrients. I keep a stash of this homemade sauce in my freezer at all times! You can have a delicious batch of fresh pesto ready to go in less than 10 minutes. 

    Nut free pesto in a bowl with a wooden spoon laying across bowl.

    Years ago I did the autoimmune protocol and really struggled with finding ways to make food more flavorful. On the protocol I could not have a variety of things like nuts or dairy. Adding sauces into the mix made my meals so much more flavor! If you like this nut free sauce, check out my other nut free sauces on my blog like my Garlic Aioli, Lemon Dill Aioli, Red Chimichurri, AIP Nomato Sauce, Breakfast Burrito Sauce, and Whole30 BBQ Sauce.

    Jump to:
    • Why I Love This Recipe
    • Vegan Pesto Ingredients
    • Recipe Substitutions and Variations
    • How To Make Nut Free Pesto
    • Chef’s Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other Nut Free Recipes You Will Love
    • Are you interested in a list of my go to healthy alternatives?
    • Nut Free Pesto

    Why I Love This Recipe

    • This delicious pesto is such a versatile sauce, it goes well with just about anything! From fish, chicken, to tacos. I sometimes even like to use it as salad dressing or sauce to go over hot pasta like I did in my AIP Pesto Shrimp Recipe or my Orzo Pesto Salad.
    • Unlike traditional pesto sauce, this recipe is naturally dairy free, gluten free, soy free, nut free, grain free, vegan, paleo,  Whole30 friendly and free of pine nuts. It is a perfect recipe for those with nut allergies! 
    • If you have a surplus of basil, you can make extra and freeze leftover pesto. I like to put in it in an ice cube tray in a zip-lock bag so I can pop out a cube at any time, especially during the winter months when basil is not in season.
    • Years ago I did the autoimmune protocol and really struggled with finding ways to make food more flavorful. On the protocol I could not have a variety of things like nuts or dairy. Adding sauces into the mix made my meals so much more flavor! If you like this nut free sauce, check out my other nut free sauces on my blog like my Garlic Aioli, Lemon Dill Aioli, Red Chimichurri, AIP Nomato Sauce, Breakfast Burrito Sauce, and Whole30 BBQ Sauce.

    Vegan Pesto Ingredients

    Nut free pesto ingredients in small glass bowls.
    • Fresh basil leaves-I like to use fresh basil from my garden. You can also buy basil plants at places like Trader Joe’s to have a large batch of fresh basil at all times. It grows rapidly and it is so much cheaper to have at home. 
    • Nutritional yeast-A popular ingredient used in dairy free cooking. Nutritional yeast makes this recipe taste cheesy without cheese.
    • Fresh garlic-Adds a nice touch.
    • Lemon juice-Do NOT skip this key ingredient. 
    • Extra virgin olive oil-My go to fat for making homemade pesto. 

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Recipe Substitutions and Variations

    • Fresh herbs-You can add other fresh herbs like parsley into the mix. 
    • Spinach pesto-If you would like to add spinach into the mix you can add baby spinach to the blender. You may need to add more oil to get everything well mixed. 
    • Parmesan cheese-If you are not dairy free, you can add parmesan cheese instead of nutritional yeast. 
    • ​Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds-If you miss that nut like texture, you can throw some seeds into the mix. 
    • Avocado oil-You can use in place of olive oil, note this will change the flavor a little bit. 

    This recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations. If you try something else out please let me know how it turns out in the comments below!

    How To Make Nut Free Pesto

    Pesto ingredients in a food processor.

    Step #1: Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

    Chef’s Tips

    • Tip #1: I like to make homemade pesto and freeze it. To do that I use these big silicone ice cube trays. I pour in the sauce then cover the tray with a ziplock bag and place it in the freezer. 
    • Tip #2:To thaw-Pop the cube out prior to using and place in a skillet or in the fridge overnight.

    Recipe FAQs

    What kind of food processor do you use?

    I love my Ninja Food Processor. I have had it for years and love it. 

    How can I store it?

    You can store this nut-free pesto recipe in an airtight container for up to one week int the fridge or three months in the freezer. 

    Nut free bright green pesto in a bowl.

    Other Nut Free Recipes You Will Love

    • Dill aioli in a small bowl on a scalloped plate.
      Lemon Dill Aioli
    • fresh pesto in a jar
      Dairy Free Pesto
    • paleo aioli 1
      Paleo Aioli With Garlic (Whole30 Friendly, Dairy Free)
    • Red chimichurri 1 scaled
      Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

    Are you interested in a list of my go to healthy alternatives?

    Download your FREE guide below.

    Download your free guide.
    Nut free bright green pesto in a bowl.

    Nut Free Pesto

    Course Condiment, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Author Allianna Moximchalk
    263kcal
    Cost $2
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Equipment

    • high speed blender

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups fresh basil
    • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast You can use parmesan cheese if you are not dairy free.
    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1 lemon juiced

    Instructions

    • Place all ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth.

    Notes

    Storage: This dish can be stored in an air tight glass container for up to a week in the refrigerator or three months in the fridge. 
    Nutrition: The nutrition for this recipe is an estimate and the calorie count is not guaranteed.  
    Servings: This recipe should yield 4 servings. 
    Creamy and delicious homemade nut free pesto recipe.
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram @alliannaskitchen!

    More Healthy Allergy Friendly Recipes

    • Chicken sausage and vegetables on a plate with dipping sauce.
      Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Veggies
    • Vegan fruit dip on a plate with apple slices.
      Vegan Fruit Dip
    • Rice crispy treats with chocolate drizzled on top.
      Gluten Free Rice Crispy Treats Recipe
    • Roasted cauliflower and carrots on a brown plate with fresh parsley on top.
      Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Waddle Chaddle says

      September 18, 2023 at 6:52 am

      Newly diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I am looking for alternatives for creature comfort food. This one fit the bill for pesto! A little more oily and I will try to emulsify further the next time I use but very delicious and easy. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        September 18, 2023 at 5:37 pm

        YOu are so welcome! xoxo

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      June 24, 2023 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is my go-to recipe for pesto! I pretty much make it one a week or so just to always have some on hand. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        June 26, 2023 at 1:32 pm

        Yay! This makes me happy to hear!

        Reply
    3. Lori says

      February 09, 2022 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      So delicious! Can be added to so many dishes

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        February 11, 2022 at 1:29 pm

        Pesto is the best! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    4. Ella says

      December 27, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      This is delicious!

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        December 28, 2021 at 2:44 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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