Sun-dried tomatoes are bursting with bright flavor for this easy Oil-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Vegan Pesto. Almonds provide a creamy base while fresh basil and nutritional yeast bring classic Italian flavor.Â
This quick plant-based recipe comes together in just 5 minutes. Spread it on Whole Wheat Flatbread, Chickpea Garden Burgers, or Super Green Quinoa Sliders.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
This simple recipe for Oil-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Vegan Pesto only requires a few ingredients. You’ll need:
- Whole Almonds: Be sure to use unroasted, unsalted almonds
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Look for tomatoes that are dry-packed, not the ones packed in oil. If oil-packed is your only option, drain and thoroughly rinse the tomatoes under running water to rinse off the oil
- Nutritional Yeast: This plant-based ingredient is a vegan superstar, replacing cheese in many dairy-free recipes
- Fresh Basil: A must-have for this. Adds a pop of bright, fresh flavor.
Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Tips:
Make it Raw: This is a raw vegan recipe. It can be difficult to find almonds are technically raw, though. Most have been pasteurized for safety. You can swap out for raw cashews or macadamia nuts.
Freezer-Friendly: This is a very freezer-friendly recipe. Make extras and freeze in smaller portions for future meals.
Local and Seasonal Variations: Use this as a template for other pesto flavors. Use up other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme. Add roasted peppers or chopped olives.
Other Uses: Besides a pesto, use this as a base for pasta sauce. Add 1/2 – 1 cup water and toss with hot pasta. This makes for a delicious, creamy sauce. Also works great on cooked beans, roasted potatoes, and grilled vegetables.
Oil-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
- Servings: 8Â
- Ready In: 5 minutes
- Yield: about 2Â cups
Oil-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Vegan Pesto
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole almonds 72g
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes 27g
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 20g
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- To make the Oil-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: In a food processor, combine the almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, nutritional yeast, and water. Puree until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients. Puree 10 seconds, just to bring everything together.
- Taste to adjust seasoning.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 7 days. Freeze for longer.
Notes
Yield: about 2 cups
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings 8.0 | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| calories 53 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 3 g | 5 % |
| Saturated Fat 0 g | 1 % |
| Monounsaturated Fat 2 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium 81 mg | 3 % |
| Potassium 162 mg | 5 % |
| Total Carbohydrate 4 g | 1 % |
| Dietary Fiber 2 g | 7 % |
| Sugars 2 g | |
| Protein 3 g | 7 % |
| Vitamin A | 1 % |
| Vitamin C | 2 % |
| Calcium | 2 % |
| Iron | 4 % |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Shopping List
- Raw Almonds By Food to Live
- Sincerely Nuts Sun Dried Julienne Tomatoes
- NOW Nutritional Yeast Flakes
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I made this sun-dried tomato pesto with great skepticism, it looked too easy. After making it, I put it in the refrigerator so the tomatoes could absorb any excess moisture. An hour later I took a taste. Oh my taste buds are singing !!!!! What a spectacular flavor combination with lovely texture. I will be offering a 3 pound bag of organic sundried tomatoes next week.
Thank you …brilliant
Thanks so much, Andrea! I love this pesto and put it on everything…Green Quinoa Sliders, Pasta, Grilled Portobello’s. Glad you enjoy!
Are the sun-dried tomatoes the oil-packed type?
Look for ones not packed in oil — you can usually find in the produce section (near dried fruit, croutons, or other salad toppings). Or, I find them in Whole Foods near the canned tomato products.
Oh I’m so mad!! i wish I had come across your recipe first. A lot of traditional pesto recipes said it’s impossible to make without all the oil. Oh well. Next time! Yours looks fabulous and much much healthier.