Pumpkin Seed Pesto (Oil-Free, Dairy-Free)
Homemade pesto may just be my favorite part about growing a garden. And since I can whip up this luscious, oil-free pesto in 5 minutes, we’re pesto-ing our way through summer this year!
What is Pesto?
Classic pesto is a simple, yet ultra-flavorful, sauce/spread made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and olive oil. You can buy pesto at the grocery store, but fresh, homemade pesto is a million times better than store-bought. (And homemade basil pesto is so easy to make!)
Dairy-Free, Oil-Free, Nut-Free, Pumpkin Seed Pesto
This version of pesto is anything but traditional, but it’s just as easy and just as flavorful.
And its soooo good for you! Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrition and offer a number of health benefits.
How to Serve Pesto
There are so many ways to use pesto!
Pizza
I love dolloping this pesto on my pizza slices. The flavor is amazing!
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
One of my favorite dishes is buttery, steamed yellow summer squash (or this Summer Squash Saute) topped with this Pumpkin Seed Pesto. Oh, the flavor!
Sandwiches
Use pesto in place of mayo for a healthier sandwich.
Pasta
Instead of tomato sauce, try mixing some of this delicious pesto in with your hot pasta.
Fresh Vegetables
Pesto makes a great dip for fresh veggies like carrots, celery, jicama, or cucumbers.
Bread
High in fiber and nutrition, pesto is a much healthier condiment than butter.
Hummus
Mix some pesto into your hummus for super-flavorful basil hummus.
Soup
Add a spoonful or two to soup for extra flavor. Especially good in minestrone soup.
Rice
I like using pesto as a topping for brown rice. Makes a simple-to-make, yet very yummy side dish.
FAQ
Q. Can I use dried basil to make pesto?
A. No. Absolutely not.
I like recipes that are flexible, and it’s handy to be able to substitute ingredients using what I have on hand, but this is one time where it’s essential you stick with the recipe. Dried basil just doesn’t work in this recipe.
Q. I don’t have pumpkin seeds. What can I use instead?
A. If you don’t have any pumpkin seeds, I suggest using this recipe for Skinny Walnut Basil Pesto or this one for Oil-Free Pesto. Or just get yourself some pumpkin seeds! Here’s where you can get some.
Q. Can I use a food processor instead of a blender?
A. Normally, I make pesto in a food processor, but when I tested this recipe, the ingredients wouldn’t blend up correctly in my food processor. So, I recommend using a blender.
Q. Can I double this recipe?
A. Yes, if you have a good blender, you can easily scale up this recipe.
Q. How long does this Pumpkin Seed Pesto last?
This pesto is best eaten fresh as it will darken slightly in color upon storage. If you need to make it ahead of time, place in a container, press plastic wrap directly on top of pesto, and store in the refrigerator and it will keep fine.
Pumpkin Seed Pesto
This unique and flavorful pesto recipe is:
nut-free
dairy-free
and delicious!
Do you have a favorite way to use pesto? Let me know in the comments!
Oil-Free Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds - soaked (See note.)
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice - about 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 – 2 cloves garlic
- 3/4 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 medium ripe avocado
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, except avocado, in blender in order listed.
- Cut avocado in half and remove pit. Scoop out flesh and add to blender.
- Blend on medium speed until creamy but not smooth; it should have some texture. Mixture will be very thick; you may need to stop the blender a few times to scrape the pesto from the sides of the blender jar.
Notes
>> One quick request: if you like this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment. Ratings help more people find these healthy recipes!
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