5 from 21 votes
Oil-Free Arugula Pesto (Vegan)
This Oil-Free Arugula Pesto blends fresh arugula, basil, garlic, walnuts, lemon juice, water, and salt for a green sauce free of added oils. The combination of peppery arugula with sweet basil and toasted walnuts creates a balanced flavor and slightly chunky texture. Adjusting garlic and lemon juice to taste personalizes the vibrant sauce.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
1
cup
Calories:
406 kcal
Course:
Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup arugula fresh
- 1 cup basil fresh
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 garlic to taste, to 3 cloves
- 1/2 cup walnut raw
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small food processor and process until everything is broken down. I prefer my pesto to have a bit of a chunky texture, but you can use a blender if you would like a smoother result.
- Once the pesto is smooth enough, taste it and adjust any seasonings as needed. When you use fresh ingredients, the taste will always vary by batch, so I usually end up adding an extra splash of lemon juice or an extra pinch of salt to make it taste "just right." Also, I think it should be noted that I love a spicy punch of garlic, so 3 cloves is usually perfect for me, but if you're not the biggest garlic fan, you might only want to start with 1 or 2 cloves and add more to taste. The nice thing about making a blended sauce like this one is you can always taste as you go and adjust as needed.
- Because these ingredients are all fresh, I'd recommend keeping this sauce stored in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than a week for best flavor.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
406kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
38g
(58%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Sodium
593mg
(25%)
Potassium
402mg
(9%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1740IU
(35%)
Vitamin C
17.1mg
(19%)
Calcium
143mg
(14%)
Iron
2.8mg
(16%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 406kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 593mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 402mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1740IU | 35% |
| Vitamin C | 17.1mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 143mg | 14% |
| Iron | 2.8mg | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.