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A collection of pesto recipes without nuts along with tips on how to make nut-free pesto sauce. Include classic basil pesto and pesto made from other herbs and greens. Perfect for someone with nut allergies or simply a way to save a little money by not buying pine nuts for pesto.
I love pesto sauce! From classic basil pesto to the kale pesto I make regularly, I love the zesty flavor pesto brings to pasta, fish, chicken and more.
But when are son was diagnosed with a nut allergy, I needed to figure out a way to make pesto without pine nuts. For me, the primary way I make nut-free pesto is using toasted pumpkin seeds in place of the nuts. But as you will see in the article, there are a variety of pesto recipes without nuts from which you can choose.
For this article, we pulled together some of our favorite nut-free pesto recipes and tapped our fellow food bloggers to provide you with some more ideas.
Jump to:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Other tips
- Basil pesto without nuts
- Other kinds of pesto
- Recipes using nut-free pesto
- Wine pairing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does pesto always have nuts?
Classic basil pesto sauce is made with pine nuts, but there are some alternative ways to make pesto without nuts that we cover in this article.
What can I use instead of nuts in pesto?
Sunflower seeds and toasted pumpkin seeds are good substitutes for pine nuts in pesto.
How can I thicken pesto without the nuts?
Using seeds as suggested above can help thicken the pesto sauce. And one of the recipes below actually uses some banana! You can also cut back a bit on the olive oil to thicken the pesto sauce.
What tools are needed to make pesto?
Using a mortar and pestle is the classic Italian method. We make our pesto using a food processor or blender.
Other tips
If you are contending with a serious nut allergy, you will want to take care about the kinds of seeds you use to avoid cross contamination. Gerbs is a company that sells seeds made in a nut free facility. Here’s an Amazon link for the Gerbs pumpkin seeds that we use.
You might find you miss the pine nuts less if you try a pesto other than classic basil pesto. I actually make kale pesto more than basil pesto, in part because I can reliably get good kale throughout the year, whereas basil is more seasonal.
Basil pesto without nuts
The classic pesto sauce features fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cheese and pine nuts. Below we share some ideas for making classic basil pesto without pine nuts!
Basil Pesto Without Pine Nuts
The classic basil pesto is made with pine nuts. Check out these ideas for nut free basil pesto!
Photo Credit:www.fearlessdining.com
Quick and Easy Nut Free Pesto Sauce
This nut free basil pesto recipe also includes tips for making it dairy free.
This nut free pesto is rich, creamy and simply wonderful! It is quick and easy to prepare, and uses a special ingredient!
Other kinds of pesto
When looking for pesto recipes without nuts, it is definitely a good idea to branch out beyond basil pesto. Check out these recipes for nut-free alternatives to the typical basil pesto!
Other kinds of pesto
Pesto is traditionally made with basil, but it can be made with other herbs and greens, too. Here is a collection of pesto recipes without nuts that feature a variety of herbs and greens.
Photo Credit:mypureplants.com
Vegan Spinach Pesto
Take a handful of fresh basil and spinach leaves and turn them into anut-free vegan pesto in 5 minutes! To make this Italian classic condiment vegan you will needseven simple ingredients.Recipe comes with 10 ideas for how to use it.
Roasted Beet Pesto
Roasted Beet Pesto is a colorful twist on the classic pesto sauce. Savory and flavorful, toss this beet pesto with pasta or use as a spread for a sandwich.
How to Make Radish Greens Pesto Pasta
ThisRadish Green Pesto Pastarecipe features radish top pesto tossed with pasta and roasted radishes. A great way to use the whole radish plant and reduce food waste!
Photo Credit:deliciousonadime.com
Super Easy Cilantro Pesto
This Super Easy Cilantro Pesto recipe is a simple, healthy condiment you can make in 5 minutes. Enjoy it on crackers, as a chicken marinade, tossed with pasta, brushed on grilled shrimp, or mixed into a creamy or olive oil salad dressing.
Thiskale pesto recipeis definitely one we come back to again and again! Making kale pesto is a delicious way to use the healthy green vegetable.
Photo Credit:simplebites.net
Pepita and Parsley Pesto
Vibrant parsley pairs with the nutty green pepitas for a bright pesto. Includes a hint of lemon and is perfectly paired to with grilled vegetables and meats.
Photo Credit:www.chocolatemoosey.com
Broccoli Pesto
Broccoli Pesto is very versatile and can be used for pizza, pasta, bruschetta, sandwich spread, dipping sauce, and so much more. Just throw everything in a food processor or blender and done.
Photo Credit:www.veggieinspired.com
Spinach Artichoke Pesto
A heavenly combo of spinach, artichokes, garlic, lemon, and pumpkin seeds. This dairy free, nut free, beautifully green, Spinach Artichoke pesto is a condiment you will reach for again and again.
Recipes using nut-free pesto
Once you have that nut-free pesto made, there is a lot you can do with it! Of course, simply tossing pesto with pasta is great, but check out the collection before for some more ideas.
Recipes using nut-free pesto
OK, now that you've made some pesto without nuts, what can you do with it? Of course, simply tossing pesto with pasta is a classic choice. But there are many other good ways to enjoy pesto! Here are some of our favorites.
Kale Pesto Lasagna
ThisKale Pesto Lasagnarecipe is a delicious way to add some healthy greens into your family’s diet. Kale pesto cooks along with noodles, plenty of cheese and garlic for some serious green comfort food! A vegetarian lasagna recipe.
Ziti with Salmon and Kale Pesto
Pan seared salmon served with ziti and kale pesto for a tasty and healthy pasta meal.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Sautéed shrimp tossed with kale pesto pasta for an easy and tasty meal. Pairs very well with a Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Tuscan Kale Pesto Risotto
Savory risotto gets delicious, healthy flavor from Tuscan kale pesto. Serve as a vegetarian main or substantial side dish.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Cilantro Pesto
Tender grilled pork tenderloin served with zesty cilantro pesto for a delicious summer main course.
Roast Cod with Herb Pesto and Wine Pairing
Roast Cod topped with a flavorful herb pesto for a healthy and tasty meal.
Kale Pesto Dip Recipe
Zesty kale pesto and light cream cheese combine for a fairly healthy snack to nibble on while you watch the game or get ready for dinner.
Wine pairing
What kind of wine to serve with pesto? It will depend in part on what you are serving with the pesto. But if you are focused mostly on the sauce, when simply tossing it with pasta for instance, a crisp white wine is the way to go. Sauvignon Blanc is a classic wine pairing for pesto, but we also like pesto with other white wines like Picpoul, Vouvray and a number of Italian white wines.
If you are using pesto in a savory preparation, such as the kale pesto lasagna mentioned earlier, then a red wine can work nicely, too.
