What is better than the smell of fresh basil? Pesto sauce uses blended fragrant basil leaves for a creamy sauce that is the soul-mate to pasta dishes, vegan pizzas, and sandwiches.
Traditional pesto sauce uses cheese for a creamy texture. However, vegan pesto sauce recipes use creamy nuts and nutritional yeast for a cruelty-free version of this classic sauce.
Vegan pesto sauce is a versatile sauce that elevates a dish to the next level and is easy to whip up in no time. Use a high-speed blender or food processor and make your kitchen smell like a country-side Italian home.
Check out these easy vegan pesto recipes for plant-based variations of this delicious green sauce.
1. Easy Vegan Pesto by Minimalist Baker
Minimalist Baker is a plant-based recipe blog with a spectacular and easy-to-make vegan pesto recipe. All of the menu ideas on this blog use healthful and plant-based ingredients for simple and delicious meals.
Use this plant-based spread for vegan salad dressings, sandwiches, and pasta sauces.
Have the following ingredients ready for this easy vegan pesto recipe by Minimalist Baker:
- Fresh Basil
- Pine Nuts, Walnuts, or Sunflower Seeds
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Nutritional Yeast
- Sea Salt
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Water
This vegan pesto sauce recipe takes only five minutes to prepare and makes around one cup of pesto sauce. Feel free to double the recipe if you are serving more mouths.
Minimalist Baker recommends storing any leftover pesto sauce in ice cube trays and freezing it. Use these frozen pesto cubes to upgrade a meal effortlessly.
2. Vegan Pesto by Love and Lemons
Love and Lemons is a vegetarian recipe and travel blog run by Jeanine and Jack. This vegan pesto sauce by Love and Lemons is delicious, creamy, and gluten-free.
Serve this zesty and garlicky spread with zucchini noodles or as a side to mixed veggies for a tasty and light meal.
Make sure you have these ingredients on hand when you make this easy vegan pesto recipe:
- Pine Nuts or Pepitas
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Basil
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Nutritional Yeast (optional)
- Capers (optional)
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes (optional)
This easy vegan pesto sauce recipe is entirely plant-based and takes five minutes to prepare. Love and Lemons recommend that you store your pesto sauce for up to two days in the fridge and up to two months in the freezer.
3. Simple Vegan Pesto by Nora Cooks
Nora Cooks is an amazing vegan blog with so many easy-to-make plant-based recipe ideas.
This simple vegan pesto by Nora Cooks is nutty, creamy, and gorgeously green. Use it for pizzas, dipping sauces, and vegan plates of pasta.
All you need for this easy vegan pesto sauce recipe are:
- Cashews, Pine Nuts, Walnuts, or Sunflower Seeds
- Garlic
- Basil
- Nutritional Yeast
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Olive Oil (optional)
- Water
This recipe takes only five minutes to whip up. Nora Cooks recommends storing this vegan pesto sauce in your fridge for up to one week and in your freezer for up to six months.
4. Vegan Basil Pesto by Holy Cow Vegan
Holy Cow Vegan is a plant-based recipe blog by Vaishali. This recipe blog has considerable great ideas for easy vegan and vegetarian dishes.
You will be impressed by how perfectly creamy, zesty, and garlicky this vegan basil pesto recipe is.
Have the following ingredients to make Holy Cow Vegan’s incredible vegan pesto sauce:
- Italian Basil
- Walnuts
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast or White Miso
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Lemon Juice
This recipe takes five minutes to prep. Holy Cow Vegan recommends storing this pesto recipe in the fridge for up to three days and in the freezer for up to three months.
5. The Best Vegan Pesto by Loving It Vegan
Loving It Vegan is ideal for finding inspiration for your next plant-based meal. Alison Andrews is the face behind this vegan recipe blog, and her vegan pesto sauce is certainly worth whipping up.
Add these ingredients to your grocery list when trying this easy pesto sauce recipe by Loving It Vegan:
- Pine Nuts
- Walnuts
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Nutritional Yeast
- Basil
- Parsley
- Water
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
This easy vegan pesto recipe by Loving It Vegan takes ten minutes to make. Alison recommends storing this amazing pesto sauce in your fridge for a maximum of one week. Freeze your pesto sauce for up to six months.
6. Basic Vegan Pesto by Sweet Simple Vegan
Vegan couple Jasmine and Chris run the vegan recipe blog Sweet Simple Vegan. Next time you are looking for a flavorful and easy vegan pesto sauce recipe, try out Jasmine and Chris’ version of this classic sauce.
This smooth, creamy, and dairy-free pesto sauce takes only five minutes to prepare and pairs perfectly with pasta, sandwiches, fried tofu, and more.
Have the following ingredients on hand when making this easy and delicious vegan pesto recipe:
- Fresh Basil
- Pine Nuts
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast
- Lemon Juice
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper (Optional)
This recipe makes over one cup of sauce. Store extras in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for a few months for the freshest flavors.
7. Homemade Vegan Basil Pesto by A Plant-Based Boy
A Plant-Based Boy is a vegan recipe blog with countless ideas for simple and delicious plant-based meals.
This homemade vegan basil pesto by A Plant-Based Boy is easy to make in just a few minutes.
Have a food processor and the following ingredients to make this bright green versatile sauce:
- Cashews
- Fresh Basil
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
- Nutritional Yeast
- Salt
- Pepper
Feel free to double or triple the recipe to prep a bigger batch. Freeze any extras for up to six months.
8. Vegan Pesto Recipe With Spinach, Walnuts, and Basil by Lettuce Veg Out
Lettuce Veg Out is a vegan recipe blog run by the vegan Registered Dietitian Nicole Stevens. All of her recipes add healthful ingredients to classic meals, smoothies, and sauces.
This easy vegan pesto recipe uses fresh spinach and hemp seeds to add a kick of nutrition to this green pasta sauce.
Have the following ingredients handy to make this deep-green pesto sauce:
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Spinach
- Olive Oil
- Walnuts
- Nutritional Yeast
- Lemon Juice
- Hemp Seeds
- Garlic
- Salt
Enjoy making this easy vegan pesto recipe in just 15 minutes. Lettuce Veg Out recommends storing your vegan pesto sauce in the fridge for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months.
9. Easy Vegan Pesto by The Hidden Veggies
The Hidden Veggies has vegan recipe ideas that hide nutrients in delicious dishes. Monica is the face behind The Hidden Vegan. As a vegan mom of two, she has vegan recipe inspirations that all ages will enjoy.
Have these ingredients in your kitchen when making this easy vegan pesto recipe by The Hidden Veggies:
- Basil
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Nutritional Yeast
- Pine Nuts
- Salt
- Lemon Juice
Use a food processor to blend the ingredients together. This recipe takes five minutes to prepare and stays fresh in the freezer for up to six months. The Hidden Veggies recommends storing your homemade pesto sauce in the fridge for up to one week.
10. Pesto Without Pine Nuts by Momma Fit Lyndsey
Momma Fit Lyndsey is a recipe blog for healthful living for all types of eaters, including picky ones. This blog is not predominantly vegan but has a filter option to select vegan recipes for meal inspiration that the entire family will enjoy.
Momma Fit Lyndsey has one of the best easy vegan pesto recipes that does not use any pine nuts.
Have the following ingredients handy when prepping this deliciously creamy, plant-based spread:
- Basil
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast
- Walnuts
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
This easy vegan pesto recipe takes six minutes to prepare in a food processor. After serving, store any extra pesto sauce in the fridge for up to one week. This pesto without pine nuts stays fresh in the freezer for six to nine months.
11. Kale Pesto by Clean Plate Mamma
Clean Plate Mamma is a clean-eating recipe blog brimming with healthful recipe ideas with nutritious and whole ingredients. The mamma behind this blog is Sara, who encourages the use of high-quality and whole foods.
The vegan kale pesto by Clean Plate Mamma adds dark green and highly nutritious kale to this classic spread for more goodness in every bite.
Have the following ingredients to make this easy vegan pesto recipe:
- Kale
- Basil
- Garlic
- Walnuts
- Salt
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
This easy vegan pesto recipe by Clean Plate Mamma takes only five minutes to prepare. Clean Plate Mamma recommends storing this delicious and nutritious spread in the fridge for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months for the freshest flavors.
12. Vegan Almond Kale Pesto by The Toasted Pine Nut
The Toasted Pine Nut is a healthy recipe blog run by Lindsay. This blog has lots of ideas for healthy and tasty dishes with filters to suit your dietary restrictions.
Contrary to its name, this vegan pesto sauce uses almonds instead of pine nuts. This recipe is ideal for a nutritious take on this classic spread.
Add the following ingredients to your grocery list when making this easy vegan pesto recipe:
- Kale
- Almonds
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Nutritional Yeast
- Garlic
- Salt
- Water
Whip up a batch of this vegan almond kale pesto by The Toasted Pine Nut in just five minutes. Serve this creamy spread as a pasta sauce, a dip, on sandwiches, in salad dressings, and more. Store any extras in the fridge for up to one week and in the freezer for up to six months.
13. Vegan Basil Pesto Sauce by Simple Green Soul
Simple Green Soul is a vegan recipe blog run by Georgia. This plant-based blog has an excellent vegan pesto sauce that is oil and nut-free. This recipe is ideal for eaters who have nut allergies or are looking for a lower-calorie version of pesto.
Simple Green Soul recommends using a high-speed blender to make the creamiest version of this sauce.
Add these ingredients to your grocery list to make this easy vegan basil pesto sauce recipe by Simple Green Soul:
- Fresh Basil
- Nutritional Yeast
- Hemp Hearts
- Pepitas
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Water
Make a batch of this zesty, herby, and garlicky sauce in only five minutes.
14. Easy Vegan Pesto by Purely Kaylie
Purely Kaylie is a plant-based recipe blog run by an avid vegan named Kaylie.
Check out this easy vegan pesto recipe for a nutty, flavorful, dairy-free, and eggless spread. This easy vegan pesto recipe adds parsley leaves for a distinct flavor and an even deeper green color.
Add these ingredients to your shopping list to make this easy vegan pesto recipe:
- Fresh Basil
- Pine Nuts
- Nutritional Yeast
- Water
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Parsley
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Serve this amazing pesto sauce to your friends or family in no time. It is ready in only ten minutes. Purely Kaylie recommends storing your pesto sauce in the refrigerator for up to one week.
15. Vegan Pesto by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen
Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen is a vegan recipe blog with plant-based recipes for smoothies, lunches, dinners, breakfasts, dips, sauces, and more. The vegan pesto by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen is deliciously creamy and pairs perfectly with pasta and dipping sauces.
You will need the following ingredients to create this vegan green sauce:
- Basil
- Pine Nuts or Walnuts
- Nutritional Yeast or Vegan Parmesan
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Salt
- Olive Oil
This easy vegan pesto recipe takes five minutes to prep. Store any extra sauce in the fridge for up to three days. Freeze this pesto sauce for up to three months.
16. Easy Vegan Basil Pesto by Peel With Zeal
Peel with Zeal is a gluten-free blog with a variety of delicious vegan dishes. The easy vegan basil pesto by Peel with Zeal will have your kitchen smelling like Italy and your guests asking for more.
Have the following ingredients handy to make this zesty plant-based spread:
- Basil
- Pine Nuts
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Nutritional Yeast
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Peel with Zeal’s easy vegan basil pesto takes ten minutes to prepare and can be stored in the fridge for five to seven days. Freeze this vegan pesto sauce for up to six weeks.
17. Quick, Oil-Free, Vegan Pesto Recipe by No Sweat Vegan
No Sweat Vegan is a vegan recipe blog that has options for any dairy-free and eggless dish you crave. The best part? This vegan recipe blog keeps ingredients simple to fit into any grocery budget.
No Sweat Vegan has an amazing oil-free and vegan pesto recipe worth trying out. This recipe adds spinach and water from a can of chickpeas (aquafaba).
Have these ingredients on hand when prepping this vegan pesto recipe by No Sweat Vegan:
- Basil
- Spinach
- Pine Nuts
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast
- Aquafaba
- Lemon Juice
- Pepper
- Salt (optional)
Prep this pesto sauce in ten minutes. No Sweat Vegan recommends storing extra sauce in the fridge for up to five days and in the freezer for six months.
Easy Vegan Pesto Recipes, Final Thoughts
Pesto sauce is easy to make in under 20 minutes. This creamy, zesty, and herby spread works with pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salad dressings, dips, etc.
Instead of parmesan cheese, vegan pesto recipes use creamy nuts like cashews, hemp hearts, pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds. Blended with aromatic basil leaves and sometimes with spinach or kale, this sauce is beautifully green and makes an impression on a plate.
These easy vegan pesto recipes are the perfect place to start for recipe inspiration and ingredient ideas when making this plant-based sauce.
Looking for more delicious recipes? Check out these vegan dessert recipe ideas to serve after the main course.