Easy Dairy-Free Homemade Pesto

No Parmesan? No problem. This Easy Dairy-Free Homemade Pesto is fresh, flavorful, and so simple to make, and it’s just as delicious as the classic pesto. Made with fresh spinach, fragrant basil leaves, nuts, garlic, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon, it comes together in just a few minutes. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a great option for anyone looking for a delicious pesto without the dairy. I love having homemade pesto on hand because there are so many ways to use it! Toss it with your favorite gluten-free pasta, spread it on sandwiches, drizzle it over roasted vegetables, or use it as a sauce for chicken. Plus, you can make it with cashews or your favorite nuts, and if dairy isn’t an issue, a little Parmesan cheese is a delicious addition, too!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pesto

• Easy to make: Just add everything to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth! It literally takes a few minutes and smells AMAZING!
• Fresh and flavorful: Fresh basil and spinach give this pesto its beautiful green color, delicious flavor, and lots of nutrients.
• Dairy-free and gluten-free: Skip the Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free pesto or add the cheese if you don’t have a dairy allergy.
• Freezer friendly: I love making a double or triple batch of pesto to pour into mason jars, seal, pour a little oil on top, and freeze for faster meals!
• Easy to customize: Use cashews, walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts depending on what you have in your pantry.

Ways to Use Homemade Pesto

Once you have a batch of fresh pesto, you’ll find so many ways to use it!

• Make a quick and easy 30 minute Pesto Pasta Chicken for the easiest weeknight meal!
• Spread it on sandwiches or wraps.
• Make a heavenly pesto grilled cheese sandwich with gluten-free sourdough! (Grab this step-by-step guide if you want to learn how to make your own easy starter and bread!)
• Drizzle it over roasted potatoes or vegetables.
• Use it as a sauce for grilled or baked chicken.
• Spread it over homemade gluten-free pizza crust before adding your favorite toppings.
• Mix it into a pasta salad for an extra burst of flavor.
• Another favorite is a slice of gluten-free sourdough, spoonful of pesto, slice of fresh garden heirloom tomato, and a little mozzarella cheese! Seriously, it’s a must!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Fresh spinach: Adds extra greens and helps create a vibrant green pesto with a mild flavor.
• Fresh basil leaves: The star of the show! Fresh basil gives pesto its classic, delicious flavor. Don’t worry, I use a variety of basil from the garden like Italian, Thai, sweet basil, spicy globe, and purple basil. All of them make delicious pesto! If you don’t grow your own basil, just grab some from the store, make it’s the fresh leaves.
• Cashews or your favorite nuts: Cashews make the creamiest pesto, but walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts work well, too.
• Garlic: Adds that savory flavor that makes homemade pesto so good.
• Oil: Helps bring everything together into a smooth, spoonable sauce. We use avocado oil, but olive oil works great too. If I freeze the pesto, I pour it into mason jars and pour just a little oil on top to preserve the pesto color, seal, and freeze.
• Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the olive oil and nuts.
• Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
• Parmesan cheese (optional): Add freshly grated Parmesan if you’d like a more traditional pesto. Leave it out to keep the recipe dairy-free like we do every time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pesto naturally dairy-free?

Not always! Traditional pesto often contains Parmesan or another hard cheese. This version can easily be made dairy-free by leaving out the optional Parmesan cheese. You can also add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor while still keeping it dairy-free, if desired.

Can I use a different nut?

Absolutely! Cashews, walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts can all work well. Choose an option you enjoy and can safely eat. Our favorite is cashews because they create the creamiest texture.

How do I make the perfect consistency?

This pesto is simple and versatile to what you and your family like for taste and consistency. Just add more olive oil a little at a time, if you prefer a thinner pesto. Also, don’t forget to taste as you go, you may want a little extra lemon juice or salt and pepper. Lots of taste tasing is always recommended…it’s too delicious to skip this step.

Can I make pesto without a food processor?

Yes! A blender can work, although you may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times. Add the olive oil gradually to help the ingredients blend.

Why is my pesto turning brown?

Fresh basil can darken when exposed to air. This is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean the pesto has gone bad. Storing it in an airtight container and limiting air exposure can help preserve its bright green color. Pro Tip: If I freeze the pesto, I pour it into mason jars and pour just a little oil on top to preserve the pesto color, seal, and freeze.

Can I make this pesto without spinach?

Yes! You can replace the spinach with additional fresh basil if you prefer a stronger basil flavor. You may need to adjust the olive oil to get the consistency you like.

How to Store Homemade Pesto

Refrigerator: Store your homemade pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface or adding a thin layer of olive oil on top can help limit air exposure and slow browning.

Freezer: Pesto freezes perfectly! Spoon it into an ice cube tray or small freezer-safe containers like these mason jars. Pour a little oil on top to preserve the pesto color from browning, and freeze until solid. If using ice cube trays, transfer the frozen portions to a freezer-safe bag or container. Use frozen pesto within about 3-6 months for the best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator or add small frozen portions directly to warm dishes.

More Recipes You’ll Love:

• Pesto Pasta Chicken (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free)
• Steak Fajita Skewers with Chimichurri
• The BEST Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
• Learn how to Make Gluten-Free Sourdough
• Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pasta Caesar Salad

I cannot wait for you to give this yummy recipe a try! Please snap a picture and share it with me! Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day and encourages me to keep creating new allergy friendly recipes for you!