Add instant flavor to your next dish using this dairy-free pesto made with raw almonds, nutritional yeast, and fresh herbs!

If you love the herb and cheese combo of a pesto sauce, then you’ll love this simple dairy-free pesto. Made with fresh basil and red peppers, this recipe is completely dairy-free and better for your health! Serve it with Paleo shrimp pasta or baked chicken for the ultimate weeknight dinner. It only takes five minutes to make and requires minimal effort to enjoy!

While there are many variations of pesto sauce, one thing remains the same: big herb flavor. Along with the herbs included in this recipe, you can also incorporate parsley, cilantro, and avocado. Fresh basil is a must-have, since it provides a vibrant green color and a bright anise flavor.

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Nutritional yeast steps in for traditional Parmesan with a spicy twist. It has a signature “cheesy” taste that can be paired with either light dishes or your favorite comfort foods. As a flavor enhancer, it also blends in seamlessly with other sauces and gravies. Use it as a dairy-free alternative to reduce the risk of food allergies.

Red pepper flakes add a kick of spiciness, but you can also add a few slices of fresh jalapeño for heat. While raw almonds add bulk to this recipe, you can also substitute with cashews, pine nuts, or walnuts instead. Avocado oil provides brain-boosting fats to help stave off hunger and keep cholesterol levels in balance.

To get started, combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse for three minutes or until mixture is fully combined. Be sure the almonds are completely ground and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a small jar for up to one month.

Jennafer Ashley

Simple Dairy-Free Pesto

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Total time:5 mins

Prep Time: 5 mins 5 minutes

Serves:6

Simple Dairy-Free Pesto

Recipe by: Jennafer Ashley

Add instant flavor to your next dish using this Spicy Pesto made with raw almonds, nutritional yeast, and fresh herbs.

Tools

• Food processor
• Jar for storing

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, unsalted
• 1/2 cups avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 t nutritional yeast
• 1/2 t garlic, minced
• 1/4 t red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

• Combine ingredients in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Make sure oil is thoroughly incorporated.
• Pour into a small jar and keep refrigerated for up to one month.

Looking for Paleo ingredients? Here are a few we’d recommend:
Raw almonds (NOW Foods)
Avocado oil (Bella Vado)
Nutritional yeast (NOW Foods)
Garlic powder (Frontier)
Red pepper (Simply Organic)
Coarse sea salt (AztecSeaSalt)

(You’ll Also Love: Raw Zucchini Rolls Stuffed with Pesto)