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Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

March 22, 2022

Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

Bright and fresh tasting, with a lovely zest from cilantro and lemon, this Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto brings the spring and summer flavours.

Mixing Herbs in Your Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

mix of herbs for vegan cilantro and basil pesto

My number one trick to elevate a simple pesto is to use a mix of herbs. You will get a much more complex flavour if you use more than just basil in your pesto.

Basil, a member of the mint family, is a beautiful base for pestos. The sweet peppery flavour of basil mixes so well with an array of other fresh herbs. To take a basil pesto to the next level, choose an herb pairing or medley of herbs. Basil, thyme, parsley, cilantro, and mint all complement each other beautifully.

From radish greens to leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, arugula, watercress or even seaweed can be used in pesto. Generally any leafy herb or member of the lettuce family can be turned into pesto. Be sure if your leafy green is bitter, to pair it with a sweeter herb for a balances flavour. When using a woody herb like thyme, be sure to use only the leaves and remove the hard stems.

Cilantro & Nutritional Yeast for a Bright Flavour

This recipe uses basil as its base and cilantro as an accent flavour, for a bright and lovely Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto.

Cilantro’s delicate, lacy green leaves have a bright and tangy flavour, resembling a stronger version of parsley. Its pungent zest and citrus-y taste mixes so well with basil to amp up your pesto. Pairing these two herbs really achieve a pleasing complex flavour.

nutritional yeast for vegan basil and cilantro pesto

Nutritional Yeast heightens this complex flavour by bringing a nutty aroma into the mix. I suggest not replacing the nutritional yeast in this recipe with a vegan cheese. There’s something about the unique bold flavour of the nutritional yeast that makes the flavour of this Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto so divine.

This zesty Vegan Basil and Cilantro pesto can be used to make a cold pasta salad, to add to sandwiches, as a tofu marinade or on top of pizza. You can make my Easy Homemade Vegan Pasta to go with your pesto, or use it as a marinade on my Easy Vegan Seitan Chicken!

Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

Bright and fresh tasting, with a lovely zest from cilantro and lemon, this Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto brings the spring and summer flavours.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

  • 1 1/4 cup fresh basil (large stems removed)
  • 3/4 cup fresh cilantro (large stems removed)
  • 3 Tbsp pine nuts or almonds (or nuts of choice)
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3-4 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • 2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3-6 Tbsp water

Instructions
 

Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

  • To a food processor add cilantro, basil, nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt, nutritional yeast. (or use a hand blender, or crush manually with a mortal and pestle.
  • Add olive oil and water until desire consistency is achieved. (thicker for pasta and thinner if using as a pourable sauce).
  • Continue to blend with food processor or hand mixer (or with pestle and mortar).
  • Taste and add more salt, lemon juice and/or nutritional yeast if desired and mix.
  • Use in pasta or as dressing. Store leftovers in an air tight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Keyword Basil, Cilantro, Fresh Herbs, Nutrional Yeast, Pesto, Vegan Pesto

in All Recipes, Condiments, Dinner # Vegan Basil and Cilantro Pesto

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with love,

Cyndi

I’m Cyndi. I create recipes of easy but elevated vegan eats that showcase the possibilities of plant-based cuisine.

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