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A close up of vibrant green pesto without pine nuts.

Homemade Pesto Without Pine Nuts (Easy Vegan Recipe)

Pesto doesn’t always have to include pine nuts!  In this recipe for homemade pesto without pine nuts, we harness the flavour and texture of toasted sunflower seeds and cashews to create a flavoursome, nutty pesto in just 5 minutes (it’s also vegan!).
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Serves: 6
Calories: 157kcal
Author: Tara

Ingredients
 
 

  • 40 g sunflower seeds (toasted*)
  • 30 g cashew nuts (toasted*)
  • 15 g flaked almonds (toasted*)
  • 60 g fresh basil leaves
  • 7 g nutritional yeast
  • 50 ml olive oil (extra-virgin ideally)
  • 3 small cloves garlic (minced (or 2 medium cloves))
  • ¼ tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp salt
  • tsp ground black pepper
  • up to 40 ml of water to loosen the mixture

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the pesto ingredients to a food processor, starting with 1/4 tsp salt.
    Pulse until combined, scraping down the sides of the processor bowl as necessary before blending again. Add a little water as needed during the blending process to achieve the desired consistency for your pesto (thick for spreadable, thinner for a sauce).
    Taste and add more salt if desired.
    Note 1: If your sunflower seeds, cashew nuts and flaked almonds are not already toasted then add them to a dry (no oil) frying pan. Fry them over low heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden - this should take around 10 minutes.
    Note 2: Sunflower seeds can take a little longer to break down in the food processor than pine nuts do so make sure to blend for long enough to create a smooth sauce.
    40 g sunflower seeds, 60 g fresh basil leaves, 30 g cashew nuts, 15 g flaked almonds, 7 g nutritional yeast, 50 ml olive oil, 3 small cloves garlic, 1/4-1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, 1/8 tsp ground black pepper, up to 40 ml of water to loosen the mixture
  • To store the pesto, add it to a Tupperware dish and cover it in eco cling film (with the film touching the top of the pesto) and then add an airtight lid. Alternatively, you can add a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto instead of using cling film, before adding an airtight lid.
  • Store the pesto in the fridge, or freeze using an ice cube tray for single servings that you can use for a quick meal.

Video

Notes

Vegan / Dairy Free / Egg Free / Gluten Free / Refined Sugar Free / Soy Free / Raw
Recipe inspired by: Italy
* If your sunflower seeds, cashew nuts and flaked almonds are not already toasted then add them to a dry (no oil) frying pan. Fry them over low heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden - this should take around 10 minutes.
Please check the allergens on the ingredients you purchase before use. The allergen information provided in this recipe is intended as a guide only and is based on the specific ingredients and brands used at the time of creating the recipe, therefore we cannot guarantee that the same will apply to the ingredients you use.
Prep time excludes any inactive time.
We highly recommend you use the metric and 1x options on this recipe card for the best results. Please note that this recipe has not been tested using US measurements or increasing ingredient quantities to 2x or 3x, therefore results may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Net Carbohydrates: 3g
Have you tried this recipe?Tag @aveganvisit on Instagram or hashtag it #aveganvisit!