Looking for an easy pesto that's rich and creamy without added oil? This oil free, vegan avocado pesto is IT!
I'm by no means an oil-free cook, so you know that if I'm sharing an oil-free recipe, it's a banger. This oil-free avocado pesto is rich. creamy, and decadent.
Fat free vs. oil free
Before we get to the recipe, I wanted to talk quickly about oil free vs. fat free.
This recipe is free from added oils, but that doesn't mean it's free of fat. Avocados are a fatty fruit, and that's exactly what makes this pesto creamy!
The fat in avocados is heart healthy. Plus, you get fiber and other nutrients, because you're eating the whole fruit.
I also want to mention that I'm not opposed to cooking with oil. This recipe just happens to be oil-free.
Recipe notes
This is a very easy blender sauce. You truly throw everything into the blender and puree until you have a nice, smooth pesto.
You can make this recipe nut free, if you want! Just replace the cashews with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead.
You'll see in the recipe below that nutritional yeast is optional. I love nooch in a pesto. It adds that hint of cheesiness that you'd normally get from Parmesan cheese. If you don't like or can't find nooch, though, this pesto is lovely without it, as well.
The only other thing I want to talk about before we start cooking is the water. Think of ¼ cup as a starting point. You may need to add another tablespoon or two of water, to get your desired consistency. This depends on the size of your avocado, your blender, whether you use nutritional yeast, and what consistency you're going for with your finished pesto.
How to serve and store
Pesto is great over pasta, as I'm sure you know, but there are lots of other fun ways to use it!
Spoon it over a grain bowl, like my roasted broccoli and tofu bowl, for an easy meal. It's also a great dip for veggies.
Want to up your hummus game? Add a few spoonfuls of pesto to the mix next time for a flavor boost!
If you do have leftover avocado pesto, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for around five days.
Oil-free avocado pesto
Ingredients
- 1 Haas avocado
- 1 cup fresh basil leavess - loosely packed
- ½ cup water - plus more, if needed, to reach your desired consistency
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons cashews - raw or roasted is fine, or you can use pine nuts
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast - optional
- salt and black pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Put all of your ingredients into the blender, and puree until smooth. You can add water 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, to get things moving.
- Adjust the salt and pepper, if necessary.
Have a question? Tried this recipe? Share your thoughts!