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+ servings
fresh spinach pesto in a bowl

Vegan Spinach Pesto Recipe

Kristina Todini, RDN
A quick and easy pesto sauce recipe that uses spinach instead of basil! This delicious recipes takes just 5 minutes to make and a handful of ingredients, and features nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese as a vegan alternative.
4.84 stars (12 ratings)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Sauces, Dressings + Dips
Cuisine Italian-Inspired
Servings 8 servings
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups spinach
  • cup pine nuts or pumpkin seeds if nut-free
  • 2 whole garlic cloves
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • cup nutritional yeast
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Wash and prep the spinach: Start by submerging spinach in a bowl of water and cleaning it off, making sure to remove any dirt. Use a salad spinner to dry it or lay the spinach flat on a plate or kitchen towel.
  • Blend the greens, nuts, garlic, and oil: Toss the cleaned and dried spinach in a food processor. Next, add nuts/seeds and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped, slowly drizzling in olive oil until the chopped ingredients are well coated in oil but still chunky.
  • Add nutritional yeast, spices, and lemon juice: Finish by adding in nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Give the pesto a taste and add more seasonings until it's flavored to your liking.

Notes

  • Nuts or seeds? Traditional pesto sauce uses pine nuts, but any nuts or seeds are perfect for pesto.
  • Tools Needed: food processor or blender, knife set, cutting board, salad spinner
  • Prep ahead: Make this simple pesto up to 2-3 days before serving, or freeze until ready to use
  • Leftovers and storage: Leftover pesto should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, and in the freezer for up to 2 months (possibly longer).
  • Nutrition notes: This recipe made as written (with vegan cheese and pine nuts) is plant-based and gluten-free. It is a good source of vitamin C, plant-based protein, and fiber.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 43mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 705IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
Keyword vegan spinach pesto
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