This vegan walnut parsley pesto is delicious tossed with pasta, used as a pizza sauce, or as a spread in sandwiches. It’s also great drizzled on roasted vegetables, rice, or used as a dip. This dairy-free pesto recipe is easy to make, flavorful, and rich yet refreshing.
What to serve with this vegan walnut parsley pesto
Try drizzling some pesto on these delicious baked asparagus before serving. They’re quick and easy to make.
Ingredients and substitutions
Pesto is traditionally made with fresh basil, but this recipe calls for parsley instead of the usual basil. Parsley gives this sauce a refreshing, spring-like flavor. It’s perfect when you’re craving something a bit out of the ordinary. If you prefer a more traditional pesto flavor, you can swap the parsley for fresh basil instead (or use a combination of both herbs).
Walnuts add a slightly bitter, tannic flavor that goes perfectly with the fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon in this pesto sauce. If you don’t have any walnuts you can substitute pine nuts or pecans instead.
This walnut parsley pesto recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil which adds richness to the sauce as well as liquid necessary to ensure everything blends up nicely in the food processor or blender. You can substitute avocado oil or any other neutral oil you prefer. Or if you’re on an oil-free diet, you can substitute cold water and half an avocado instead of the olive oil in this recipe.
How to make it
Start by adding the fresh parsley, garlic, walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a food processor or high blender.
Process/blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor bowl or blender with a spatula as needed.
Alternatively you could finely chop all the ingredients, then use a large mortar and pestle to make the sauce.
Tip
If you’re serving this pesto on pasta, be sure to toss it with the pesto sauce while the pasta is still hot. The heat will lightly cook the garlic and mellow the flavor of the raw garlic.
Storage
Store this vegan walnut parsley pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
More gluten-free vegan recipes
- This creamy baked vegan polenta is delicious served with marinara sauce and fresh basil.
- Or try these tasty vegan mushroom meatballs. They’re hearty, filling, and flavorful.
- These vegan tahini chocolate chip cookie recipe is quick and easy to make.
- This vegan banana ice cream is rich and creamy yet refreshing.
Walnut Parsley Pesto (Vegan)
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh parsley
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the fresh parsley, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, garlic clove, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor or blender as necessary.
- Toss with pasta, use as a pizza sauce, drizzle on roasted vegetables, etc.
Notes
- Store this vegan walnut parsley pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Nutrition
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