Gluten Free Pesto (Classic Basil Pesto + Dairy Free Option)
If you’re looking for the best gluten free pesto, you’re in the right place. This vibrant, herb-packed sauce is naturally gluten-free and made with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. I love to make my Gluten Free Chicken Pesto Pasta with this pesto sauce. It is one of the most highly requested meals in our home.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves use Genovese basil
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup raw pine nuts
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese parmigiano reggiano recommended for best flavor. Refer to the notes for dairy free option
- 1/2 cup pecorino ramano cheese
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a dry pan over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir constantly for best results. Let cool (This step is optional but it enhances the flavor)
- In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add parmesan cheese, pecorino romano cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Pulse again.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust with another teaspoon of salt if needed
- Transfer to an airtight container and add a drizzle of olive oil on top to preserve color.
Notes
If you want to make this recipe even easier you can add all of the ingredients to the food processor at once and blend it up. Your result will be slightly less creamy, but if I'm honest, this is how I make it most often and it still turns out creamy and delicious.
If you have a dairy allergy, refer to the blog post for the dairy free pesto option! Nutritional yeast is the perfect substitution for the cheese, because it has a creamy texture. I promise, you won't even miss the cheese. ;)
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!