Easy Vegan Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe ~ and How to Freeze Pesto for Later
This easy vegan creamy pesto sauce recipe is delicious and healthy and can be made in a few minutes. What more could you ask for in a recipe? How about it’s also dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free. Plus, you can make a big batch and use our tips to freeze pesto for later!
Sure, I worked as a Registered Dietitian for almost 20 years, and am no slouch in eating healthy. But after my health nightmare, Ed and I are doubling down on doing all the things to improve the odds that we live long, healthy lives. There’s nothing like living through cancer treatments for over a year to make you take your healthy even more seriously. (more on that here: I Just Beat Cancer. Here’s what I wish YOU knew…)
One improvement we’re making in our diets is experimenting with more vegan and vegetarian recipes. (You can find some of our new simple and tasty vegetarian recipes here.) And that’s what we have for you today! This one’s a keeper and will be in regular rotation around our place.
Good Things to Know About this Recipe…
Store in Fridge:
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to Freeze Pesto Sauce for Later:
- You can freeze pesto sauce for up to 6 months.
- The best way to do it is in small batches, like ice cube trays or muffin tins. Then you can just heat up exactly the amount you need!
- Add small amounts of fresh pesto to muffin tins or ice cube trays.
- Drizzle some olive oil on top to prevent browning.
- Put them in the freezer until they’re solid.
- Then dump the frozen pucks into freezer-safe bags. Label the bags with the date.
How to Prepare Pesto Sauce from Frozen:
- Take out your desired amount of pesto from the freezer bag.
- Let thaw.
- It’s ready to cook with!
Easy Vegan Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe
Categories: vegan, soy free, dairy free, gluten free
Serves: 3 for a main dish (more if a side dish)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup/45g cashews, soaked overnight and drained
- 2 tbsp/30ml lemon juice
- 4 cloves/15g garlic, lightly crushed
- 1 tbsp/15ml olive oil
- 2 tbsp/8g nutritional yeast
- ¾ tsp/5g salt
- ¼ tsp/1g ground pepper
- 3 cup/65g fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
Directions
Blend until mostly smooth, 2-3 minutes.
Blend on high until very smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Set aside.
Easy Vegan Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe ~ and How to Freeze Pesto for Later
This easy vegan creamy pesto sauce is delicious and healthy and can be made in a few minutes. What more could you ask for in a recipe? How about it's also dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free. Plus, you can make a big batch and use our tips to freeze pesto for later!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup/45g cashews, soaked overnight and drained
- 2 tbsp/30ml lemon juice
- 4 cloves/15g garlic, lightly crushed
- 1 tbsp/15ml olive oil
- 2 tbsp/8g nutritional yeast
- ¾ tsp/5g salt
- ¼ tsp/1g ground pepper
- 3 cup/65g fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
Instructions
- In a blender, combine soaked cashews with lemon juice and 3 tbsp/45ml water. Blend until mostly smooth, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend on high until very smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the basil to the cashew mix. Pulse until basil is in little bits (or the sauce is mostly smooth). Set aside.
- Prepare a meal with your pesto, refrigerate or freeze it with the instructions above. (Try our Delicious & Easy Prep Vegan Pesto Pasta Meal recipe ~ coming soon!)
Notes
Store in Fridge:
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to Freeze Pesto Sauce for Later:
- You can freeze pesto sauce for up to 6 months.
- The best way to do it is in small batches, like ice cube trays or muffin tins. Then you can just heat up exactly the amount you need!
- Add small amounts of fresh pesto to muffin tins or ice cube trays.
- Drizzle some olive oil on top to prevent browning.
- Put them in the freezer until they’re solid.
- Then dump the frozen pucks into freezer-safe bags. Label the bags with the date.
How to Prepare Pesto Sauce from Frozen:
- Take out your desired amount of pesto from the freezer bag.
- Let thaw.
- It’s ready to cook with!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 83Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 153mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 3gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g
Need more quick, healthy family-friendly recipes? Here you go!
- 20+ Healthy Sheet Pan Dinners
- 45+ 5 ingredient healthy recipes
- 20+ Low and No Prep Instant Pot Recipes
- 20+ No Prep Slow Cooker Recipes
We have more Vegetarian Recipes, too:
- Delicious & Easy Mediterranean Lemon Feta Orzo Salad ~ that Keeps Well for Days
- Simple & Healthy Thai-inspired Crunchy Quinoa Salad ~ that keeps well for days!
- Delicious, Quick and Easy Sheet Pan Oven Baked Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
- Quick, Healthy & Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Dinners
Robin Hicken is a Home Design and DIY Creator with over 30 years of experience, a Nutritionist and former Registered Dietitian.
