If you’re looking for a creamy, easy to make, and flavorful pesto without the dairy, this vegan pesto recipe is your new go-to. It’s packed with fresh herbs, healthy fats, and mineral-rich seeds or nuts — perfect for anyone looking to support their hormones, digestion, and overall energy naturally.
You can use it as a pizza sauce, pasta topper, veggie dip, or spoon it over grain bowls, roasted veggies, or scrambled tofu. It also freezes beautifully, so make a double batch!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (or mix with other greens: spinach, parsley, arugula, beet greens, carrot tops)
- 1 clove garlic (or more if you love the kick)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup nuts or seeds of your choice (see suggestions below)
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt and black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (adds a cheesy flavor and B vitamins)
- Optional: splash of water to thin if needed
Nut & Seed Options + Their Benefits:
|
Nut/Seed |
Nutritional Highlights |
Flavor Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Walnuts |
Omega-3s, brain & hormone support |
Rich, earthy |
|
Almonds |
Vitamin E, magnesium |
Light, nutty |
|
Pine Nuts |
Traditional, zinc-rich |
Buttery, smooth |
|
Pumpkin Seeds |
Iron, zinc, hormone support |
Slightly sweet, green |
|
Sunflower Seeds |
Budget-friendly, high in Vitamin E |
Mild, nut-free option |
|
Hemp Seeds |
Complete protein, omega-3s |
Soft, nutty |
Feel free to mix and match to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
Instructions:
- Add the basil (or greens), garlic, nuts/seeds, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and salt to a food processor or high-speed blender. Or, I love my handheld immersion blender. You can make this pesto right in a wide mouth mason jar!
- Pulse while slowly streaming in olive oil until smooth and creamy.
- If needed, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to adjust the texture.
- Taste and adjust: Add more lemon for brightness, garlic for sharpness, or olive oil for richness.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 5–7 days or freeze in small portions (like ice cube trays) for longer storage.
💚 Why This Pesto Supports Hormone & Liver Health:
- Basil + greens support digestion and detoxification
- Olive oil provides healthy fats that reduce inflammation and support metabolism
- Nuts and seeds offer key minerals (magnesium, zinc, selenium) for hormone production and balance
- Nutritional yeast delivers plant-based B vitamins that support energy and nervous system function
Nutrition Snapshot (Per 2 Tbsp):
Varies by ingredients used
- Calories: ~120
- Healthy Fats: ~12g
- Protein: ~2–3g
- Carbs: ~2g
- Fiber: ~1g
Use it generously — your hormones and taste buds will thank you.
