Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (2024)

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Pesto, basil, garlic, cheese and oil, could there be a better combination? We think not! It’s simple to make, yet adds such complexity to hot or cold dishes. It has so few ingredients and takes so little time to make. In the case of this pesto, it’s nut-free and also packs a powerful probiotic punch and is our favorite topping for Sourdough Pesto Pizza.

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (2)

Ahhhh, pesto.

Since nuts in general, and pine nuts in particular, are really expensive, I’ve adapted this pesto recipe to be nut-free. Not to mention, some folks can’t have nuts at all. No one should have to live a life without pesto! 😉

This recipe also packs a powerful probiotic punch— which means instead of spoiling quickly as pesto tends to do, it’ll last about 4 to 6 weeks in your fridge.

So if you find that basil is coming out your ears during peak gardening season, preserve your harvest with pesto! For more ideas, check out 5 Ways To Use Basil.

And for even more nut-free and allergy-friendly recipes, check out the Allergy-Free Cooking eCourse.

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (3)

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Fermented Nut-Free Pesto

Since nuts in general, and pine nuts in particular, are really expensive, I've adapted this pesto recipe to be nut-free. Not to mention, some folks can't have nuts at all. No one should have to live a life without pesto!

CourseCondiment

Author Lindsey Dietz

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Separate basil leaves from stem and wash them.

  2. Pack all of the leaves into a measuring cup.

  3. Add to a food processor or high-powered blender (I used my Blendtec).

  4. Next, add cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and whey.

  5. With the blender on low, drizzle the olive oil in slowly.

  6. You may need to scrape down the sides a couple of times until it really gets going.

  7. Process until smooth and taste.

  8. Add more salt, pepper, or any of the other ingredients, if necessary.

  9. Transfer to a clean glass jar and close.

  10. Leave on your counter or other warm place (out of direct sunlight) for 4 to 6 hours, then refrigerate.

Recipe Notes

*We like thisveggie starter culture.

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (4)

How To Use Pesto

It’s so easy! Boil water. Add pasta. Cook. Drain. Add pesto. Stir. Eat. Repeat if needed.

If you want to get a little fancier, however, here are a few ideas to get you started…

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

Take 2 slices of sprouted or sourdough bread — the good, thick kind that stands up to being cooked in a skillet. Slather 1 side of each slice with salted butter. Then spread pesto on one or both of the other sides of each slice.

Place in a skillet and add sliced mozzarella, fontina, and gouda cheeses to the bread. Toast well on both sides, until cheese is melted.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Cook pasta, such as penne or elbow macaroni, according to package directions.

Drain and add a few tablespoons pesto, some sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, feta or Parmesan cheese, sliced pepperoncinis, and cubed pepperoni, salami, or chicken. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Italian Quesadilla

Spread butter on one side of sprouted or sourdough tortillas. Spread pesto on the other side. Add mozzarella cheese and other fillings of choice, such as nitrate-free Italian sausage, pepperoni, or hard salami, sliced tomatoes, red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers… Get creative!

Cook in a medium-high skillet until tortillas are browned and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with hot, homemade marinara sauce for dipping.

Have you ever made lacto-fermented, nut-free pesto? What types of dishes do you love pesto with?

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (5)

Free CHEAT SHEET: “Create Your Own Ferments” Fermenting Formulas

Want to create your own safe-to-eat and delicious fermented salsas, chutneys, pickles or krauts? Need to know how long to ferment, how much salt to add, and how to store?

This cheat sheet will give you formulas for all types of ferments (even fruit preserves, pickled meats, and condiments) – so you can “create your own” ferments with confidence.

This post was featured in 50 Fermented Salsas, Dips, and Spreads.

...without giving up the foods you love or spending all day in the kitchen!

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (6)

2 free books:

Eat God's Way

Ditch the Standard American Diet, get healthier & happier, and save money on groceries...

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (7)

About Lindsey Dietz

Native Texans, Lindsey and her family now live in the northern Minnesota wilderness on their dream property, where they are attempting to raise chickens and a few of their own veggies. In her free time, she enjoys food photography, flipping through cookbooks, and tackling home improvement projects. She also serves on the board of her local food co-op. Lindsey has dedicated much of her time over the past several years to unlearning conventional practices and implementing Traditional foods and natural remedies in her home. This has radically changed her and her family's health. Lindsey now loves to share her knowledge and recipes through her blog All The Nourishing Things and her eBooks: Nourishing No-Bake Treats and Sweet Without Sugar.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (8)Tia Phillips says

    Lindsey, this looks delicious. I love that it is fermented and that it will keep longer. Could you add pine nuts to this and ferment it? Thanks.

  2. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (10)Jenny says

    I love this recipe! We really enjoy pesto but I frequently forget to have pine nuts on hand. I’m tickled to learn I can make it without.

  3. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (13)christie says

    Hi thanks for the recipe. My son loves pesto on homemade bread with parmesean and toasted in oven. We add tomatoes to ours. I was however wondering if the fermentation changes the flavor of the pesto? My son is super picky and has a great nose…lol

    Thanks for your website, am enjoying it.

    • Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (14)Lindsey Dietz says

      Christie, My family and I don’t notice any sort of fermented/sour flavor. I think the basil and garlic are such strong flavors that they mask the whey really well. In fact, my husband really does not like fermented foods, and he didn’t say anything about the pesto having a fermented flavor. Hope that helps!

  4. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (15)Christine Higgins says

    I add pesto to my homemade minestrone soup. Adds so much flavor and deepens the complexity. Wonderful.

  5. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (16)Jackie @ Crest Cottage says

    Brilliant way to add a fermented food where it wouldn’t be expected! I have to be off dairy right now, how do you think it would taste without the cheese? Not truly pesto-ey, I know, but still… might work out?

  6. Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (17)Sara says

    I would think 4-6 hours is honestly not enough time to establish lactofermentation as there are very distinct phases that occur even though a starter circumvents nature; not to mention the flora in whey, assuming you mean one should use a whey from mesophilic cultured dairy, really is not condusive to vegetable ferments. A bigger concern is botulism. Especially if one fails to get this below 38F promptly..oil is prime breeding ground for botulinum. I would ferment sans oil and just before refrigerating add the oil. But that is just me.

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Fermented Nut-Free Pesto (+3 recipes!) (2024)

FAQs

What is nut free pesto made of? ›

Place the olive oil, spinach, basil, garlic, garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Turn on the machine and blend for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape with a spatula and blend again until smooth.

What can I use instead of nuts in pesto? ›

Sunflower seeds in pesto

This one is the easiest. Just replace the nuts in any classic or traditional pesto recipe you find with the same amount of sunflower seeds (pumpkin seeds work too!). You can toast them if you want, but not entirely necessary.

What cuts bitterness in pesto? ›

Acid in the form of vinegar or citrus juices can make a pesto taste less bitter and could even enhance the flavour of the sauce at the same time. In low concentrations, salt can be used to suppress bitterness, which is why people have been adding tiny amounts to coffee for decades. Always go easy to start with.

What is pesto and is it healthy? ›

Pesto is a tasty sauce that complements many foods. It's traditionally made with fresh basil, olive oil, and a few other ingredients, though it's easy to make at home and customize to your taste. As long as you don't have allergies, the ingredients used to make pesto are generally good for you.

How long does homemade pesto last? ›

FAQ: How Long Does Homemade Pesto Last? You can store this basil pesto in a jar or sealable container, then tightly seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

What is a good substitute for pesto? ›

Parsley oil is the closest match to pesto / basil oil. However you can also make herb oils with mint, oregano or coriander (cilantro). OR a combination of any of the above. These will all have a different flavour profile to basil / pesto and can make a refreshing change.

Can I eat pesto if I'm allergic to nuts? ›

Pesto, a savory blend of basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil, carries potential allergens. Individuals with nut allergies, especially to pine nuts, face serious risks as reactions may range from mild discomfort to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition.

What is the purpose of nuts in pesto? ›

They add a little bit of texture and a little bit of flavor. Pesto with pine nuts is really good, but pine nuts are also really expensive. So, it's not something that we will likely buy or keep in the house.

Are pine nuts a tree nut allergy? ›

Pine nut allergies are similar to other tree nut allergies, and can cause mild, moderate, and severe allergic responses including anaphylaxis. Cross-reactivity has been reported between pine nuts and peanuts and between pine nuts and pine pollen.

Why should you not heat pesto? ›

The primary ingredients in pesto — basil and olive oil — are sensitive to heat. Basil can lose its vibrant color and fresh flavor when exposed to high temperatures, turning it a darker, more muted green. Olive oil can also lose some of its health benefits and can develop a bitter taste when heated excessively.

Why does my homemade pesto taste bad? ›

The most common reason for pesto tasting bitter is that the olive oil is past its best and has started to turn rancid. If the pesto has been made in a food processor or blender, there's also the possibility that it has turned bitter from the crude, sheering action of the blades.

How do you neutralize garlic in pesto? ›

Adding a small amount of acidity (lemon juice or vinegar) and balancing that with a little sweetness (sugar or honey) is the best way to take the edge off a pesto that tastes overwhelmingly of garlic. Almost every cuisine on earth makes use of garlic, and it's a vital component in pesto.

Can I eat pesto every day? ›

You'll want to be mindful of the sodium content. Some jars have more than 500mg per serving and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend you eat no more than 2,300mg per day. It would be hard to stay within those guidelines if you get more than 20% of your sodium from pesto.

Is pesto good for the liver? ›

The weeds in the garden can contribute to this delicious pesto that provides nourishing phyto-nutrients to support our liver health. This pesto goes well on crackers, in pasta dishes, or with vegetable sticks.

Is pesto pasta healthier than tomato pasta? ›

pesto and alfredo sauce are less nutrient dense than tomato sauce. however, it's your food, and it's just sauce, so I would do what you feel like and not worry too much about it. Is it healthy to eat pasta sauce every day? It's not really healthy to eat anything every day.

Can you eat pesto if you have a nut allergy? ›

Pesto, a savory blend of basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil, carries potential allergens. Individuals with nut allergies, especially to pine nuts, face serious risks as reactions may range from mild discomfort to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition.

Does all basil pesto have nuts? ›

Basil Pesto can be just as successful made without nuts as with pine nuts or walnuts. Garlic is optional too. This recipe emphasizes fresh basil and good quality extra virgin olive oil and parmesan cheese.

Does Barilla pesto have nuts? ›

Ingredients: SUNFLOWER OIL, BASIL, CASHEWS, WHEY, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE PDO (PART SKIM MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARLIC, BASIL EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, SUGAR, LACTIC ACID. CONTAINS: CASHEWS, MILK. MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF OTHER TREE NUTS.

Can you have pesto in a nut free school? ›

2. Please do not provide your child with any nuts or products containing nuts in their packed lunch. This includes peanut butter sandwiches and other spreads containing nuts such as Nutella. It also means that you will need to check the ingredients of foods such as cereal bars, biscuits, bread, Pesto and some desserts.

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