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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Sauce

    Oil-Free Avocado Pesto (Vegan)

    Published: Apr 9, 2020 · Modified: Mar 30, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.
    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.

    This oil-free avocado pesto makes any dish better. Spread it on top of toast and top with tomatoes, use it as a pasta sauce, or put it on top of tofu scramble or a chickpea omelet. This vegan avocado pesto is a healthier alternative to a traditional pesto, and just as delicious!

    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.

    This avocado pesto is versatile- you can use a combination of basil and other greens that you have, such as spinach, kale, or arugula, and you can even switch out the basil for another herb you have on hand, like cilantro!

    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.

    I like to make this avocado pesto with pine nuts, but you can use a variety of nuts in place of them, such as walnuts, cashews, or almonds. This pesto is flavored with lemon and nutritional yeast. I like to add garlic when I use it in pastas.

    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.
    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.
    I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Be sure to tag me in your recreations on Instagram @zenandzaatar #zenandzaatar or pin this recipe for later!

    Recipe

    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.

    Oil-Free Avocado Pesto (Vegan)

    Zena Hassoun
    This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine Vegan
    Calories 734 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-Cup Food Processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups basil leaves loosely packed (or 1 cup of basil + 1 cup of a green such as kale, spinach)
    • 1 avocado
    • ⅓ cup pine nuts
    • 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
    • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1-2 cloves garlic optional*
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • black pepper to taste
    • ⅓-1/2 cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Put all the ingredients except for water in the food processor and pulse until smooth.
    • Slowly add in the water a little at a time and pulse. Keep adding water until you reach the consistency you want. Taste and add a little more salt or lemon juice as needed. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *I don't like to add garlic when making this avocado pesto for breakfast items. But for all other times, especially when adding to pasta, I would definitely recommend adding the garlic!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 734kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 23gFat: 62gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gSodium: 1185mgPotassium: 1894mgFiber: 22gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2841IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 128mgIron: 7mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Julie says

      February 08, 2021 at 6:13 pm

      Very good pesto recipe. I made it for me and my husband tonight. It tasted very good.

      Reply
    2. Julie Casagrande says

      February 14, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Do you have the nutritionals for this?

      Reply
    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

    Get it now!

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