Easy Nut-Free & Dairy-Free Basil Pesto

4.5 stars, average of 99 ratings

By Lauren Lester, updated July 18 2021

This quick and easy vegan and keto-friendly pesto is a great option for those with nut and dairy allergies!

Simply subbing sunflower seeds for the traditional pine nuts is an easy swap that still gives you the nutty taste and texture. Swapping nutritional yeast for the Parmesan also makes this low carb pesto dairy free, and even gives it a healthy boost of vitamin B12.

0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes

Hands-on 5 minutes Overall 5 minutes

Serving size tbsp, 15 g/ 0.5 oz

Allergy information for Easy Nut-Free & Dairy-Free Basil Pesto

✔ Gluten free

✔ Dairy free

✔ Egg free

✔ Nut free

✔ Nightshade free

✔ Pork free

✔ Avocado free

✔ Coconut free

✔ Fish free

✔ Shellfish free

✔ Beef free

Pescatarian

Vegetarian

Vegan

Nutritional values (per serving, tbsp, 15 g/ 0.5 oz)

Net carbs0.6 grams

Protein1.1 grams

Fat7.4 grams

Calories73 kcal

Calories from carbs 3%, protein 6%, fat 91%

Total carbs1.1 gramsFiber0.5 gramsSugars0.1 gramsSaturated fat1 gramsSodium49 mg(2% RDA)Magnesium7 mg(2% RDA)Potassium50 mg(2% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 1 cup)

large bunch of fresh basil (85 g/ 3 oz)
3 tbsp sunflower seeds (26 g/ 0.9 oz)
3 tbsp nutritional yeast (36 g/ 1.3 oz)
2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice (30 ml)
¹/₄ tsp sea salt
³/₄ cup extra virgin olive oil (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can also freeze the pesto in an ice cube tray then transfer to a freezer bag for long term storage.

Ingredient nutritional breakdown (per serving, tbsp, 15 g/ 0.5 oz)

Net carbs	Protein	Fat	Calories
Basil, fresh
0 g	0.1 g	0 g	1 kcal
Sunflower seeds
0.1 g	0.2 g	0.6 g	6 kcal
Yeast, nutritional yeast, dried
0.3 g	0.8 g	0.1 g	6 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.1 g	0 g	0 g	0 kcal
Lemon juice, fresh
0.1 g	0 g	0 g	0 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g	0 g	0 g	0 kcal
Olive oil, extra virgin
0 g	0 g	6.8 g	60 kcal
Total per serving, tbsp, 15 g/ 0.5 oz
0.6 g	1.1 g	7.4 g	73 kcal