This vegan and nut-free pesto recipe packs the delicious flavors and texture you'd expect with traditional pesto as a topping for pasta, pizza, toast, or even as a dip for your favorite veggies. Simply run the ingredients in a food processor for a minute and you're done!
Most traditional pesto recipes are made with pine nuts and parmesan cheese, which do not lend well to vegans or those with tree nut or dairy allergies. This nut-free pesto is a perfect alternative without compromising any of the wonderful flavors of traditional pesto. Instead of pine nuts, the main ingredient here is hemp hearts, also commonly referred to as hemp seeds (hemp hearts are hemp seeds with the outer shell removed).
Hemp hearts have a mild nutty flavor and are a perfect substitute to pine nuts in this dish. In addition, hemp hearts are loaded with nutrients, which is always of importance to me given my background in public health. Hemp hearts are a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc.
Ingredients of Hemp Seed Pesto
This simple recipe requires just four ingredients and salt! Everything but the basil are pantry staples I always have on hand making this recipe one I can whip up without much forethought. It is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a protein-rich flavor boost. If you don't have basil on hand you can substitute fresh parsley or even arugula. Both work really well in this recipe too!
- Hemp hearts - You can typically find these in the nuts and seeds aisle of your grocery store, but they also can be found online. I buy a bulk size version from Costco.
- Fresh basil leaves - You can find fresh basil in the produce section of the grocery store. Many stores sell basil plants now, so if you're interested in growing your own you can bring a plant home and harvest basil straight from the plant!
- Extra virgin olive oil - I recommend using high quality olive oil given it is a major component of this recipe. I love Pomora Italian olive oil and have a 25% off coupon: EBE25.
- Garlic - If you are looking for a milder garlicky taste, start with two cloves. But if you're like me and want that punch, go straight for three!
- Fine salt - The salt really brings out the flavor and you can adjust to taste.
How to Make Hemp Seed Pesto
Here comes the easiest part of making hemp seed pesto that is sure to impress - simply combine everything but the olive oil into a food processor, start to run it and then pour in the olive oil while it is running. Let it process for a minute and you're done!
Helpful tip: If the pesto is too thick, you can add a splash of water while the food processor is running to thin it out.
How to Store Pesto
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to one week. Pesto sauce will thicken slightly after being stored, so allow it to sit at room temperature for the oil to liquify before re-serving.
You can freeze this pesto for up to 3 months (leaving room at the top of the container for expansion). You can also pour it into an ice cube tray so you can thaw out a couple cubes at a time and save the rest for later!
This hemp seed pesto is made without dairy or pine nuts. It is paleo, Whole30-friendly, nut-free, soy-free, vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. I hope you enjoy it! If you do, please tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations and drop a review below!
4-Ingredient Hemp Seed Pesto
- Total Time: 3
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This 4-Ingredient pesto is packed with nutrients from hemp seeds. It's vegan, nut-free and so quick and easy to make!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup hemp hearts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 large cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Add ingredients: Add fresh basil, hemp hearts, garlic, and salt to a 7-cup food processor.
- Process: Process for one minute and stream in the oil while the food processor is running. Add a splash of water while the motor is running to thin if needed.
- Taste. Adjust flavor and texture to taste if desired. Scrape down the sides to process again if needed.
- Serve immediately. It can be used overtop pasta, pizza or grilled or roasted veggies, in wraps or sandwiches, or even stirred into soup! I also love to use it as a dip for raw veggies or crackers. See storage information in the notes below.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to one week. Pesto sauce will thicken slightly after being stored. Allow to sit at room temperature to allow the oil to liquify before using. You can also freeze this pesto for up to 3 months (leaving room at the top of the airtight container for expansion).
- Prep Time: 3
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: hemp seed pesto, vegan pesto
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