Nothing beats a delicious homemade classic walnut and basil vegan pesto recipe. And I enjoy cooking my tasty pesto recipe when it is made from delicious fresh ingredients.

Walnut and basil vegan pesto

I keep it in the fridge in a jar (or an airtight container) for a whole week. This classic walnut and basil vegan pesto recipe is divine and can be used for everything: from pizza, to spread or pasta sauce.

Simple ingredients

  • walnut
  • fresh basil leaves
  • baby spinach leaves
  • lime and lemon
  • EVOO : extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic
  • nutritional yeast flakes
  • chili (optional)

Walnut instead of pine nuts is a winner

In this simple vegan pesto, I swap traditional pine nuts for walnuts : they are more affordable, easy to find and full of health benefits.

Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, making them a smart and flavorful choice. I absolutely love the nutty depth they add to this pesto — it’s rich, earthy, and completely irresistible.

Walnut and basil vegan pesto

Extra nutrients in this recipe

The extra handful of fresh spinach blends in beautifully. It adds a boost of nutrients, a vibrant green color, and makes the pesto lighter without compromising on flavor.

I also use less oil than most recipes, and keep it 100% plant-based with clean, simple ingredients.

Isn’t regular pesto vegan?

Classic pesto have parmesan. But in this delicious vegan pesto recipe, I have swap it for nutritional yeast flakes. It brings a cheesy, nutty, umami-like flavor and it is a good protein addition as it contains the 9 amino acids.

And finally, for those who like a spicy touch, you can even add half chili.

Easiest recipe ever

I hope you’ll enjoy this very easy recipe that requires only to pulse all the ingredients together in a good food processor. It couldn’t be simpler.

A so divine green pest : vegan (no cheese) and made of walnut and hazelnut ! Yum !

Top Tip

Pesto is basically great for everything ! I love to use this delicious healthy pesto recipe with pasta or as a base for my pizza (check how to make super healthy and very tasty pizza dough, cauliflower pizza (low carb) or vegan black charcoal pizza).

I use it for any Buddha bowl or as a spread for a toast too! So it is a great way to have a spread ready in the fridge for the week ahead.

Healthy classic walnut and basil vegan pesto and…

Basil and nutty flavors, nutrients dense and homemade (no preservatives here).

– Healthy greetings from Laetitia –

Walnut and basil vegan pesto
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Yield: 1 medium jar

WALNUT AND BASIL VEGAN PESTO

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Use your walnut and basil vegan pesto for pasta, as a spread, or for toast. This is so simple and so divine !
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cups young spinach leaves
  • 1 lime, squeezed (or 1/2 lemon)
  • ½ lemon, squeezed
  • 5-6 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1-2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1/2 chili , (optional)
  • Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Put all ingredients in a food processor or in a good mixer. Pulse until well combined and smooth. 
  • Serve it with pasta, salad, on pizza or toast !
Did you make this recipe?Tag @live.and.taste with hashtag #liveandtaste on Instagram. I love to see what you make!