Name: Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup spinach (baby spinach, packed); 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained but save that precious oil); 1/4 cup pine nuts; 3 cloves garlic; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 cup oil (, use the oil from the sun dried tomatoes)

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Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is easy, flavorful, versatile and can be made in under 10 minutes. Make some as a condiment or freeze little cubes for future meals.

Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is overflowing in in a small footed glass dish.

Get ready to be pleasantly and extremely surprised. Your eyes will pop and smile all at the same time. Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is delicious!

There are so many recipes that can be enhanced with sun dried tomato pesto but it is very hard to come by in the vegan world. I mean parmesan cheese is in pesto and it adds that perfect salty flavor.

Basil is traditional for pesto and you can certainly use basil in exchange for spinach in this recipe - I was just looking for a more economical alternative.

It turned out wonderful and I will never look back.

I usually make a small batch since it goes so far but pesto does freeze perfectly so go ahead and double the recipe if you like. No problem at all.

My little processor handles the ingredients just fine for these measurements but, then again, pull out the big processor if you're looking for a bigger quantity.

Table of Contents

Equipment Needed

Food Processor or Blender
Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

Baby Spinach- The base of the pesto. It adds a fresh and earthy flavor.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes- Adding sweetness and bold zest to pesto sauce.
Pine Nuts- For a bit of toasty nuttiness.
Garlic- For a bit of sharpness and aromatic warmth.
Nutritional Yeast- Replacing parmesan cheese with a vegan alternative that adds cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Sea Salt- Enhances the taste of the sundried tomatoes and all the other ingredients.
Oil/Olive Oil- Used to help the ingredients blend together and create a creamy texture.

How To Make Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Get your food processor ready and toss in the spinach. Then, add the sundried tomatoes - but make sure to save that flavorful oil! Follow it up with pine nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt. Lastly, pour on the saved sundried tomato oil plus more olive oil if needed. Blend everything together until smooth or your desired consistency is reached. You'll be amazed at how delicious this mixture is! Now comes the best part: dive in and enjoy all of the amazing ways you can use this delicious pesto sauce.

How To Use Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce

There are so many different ways to use this vegan sun-dried tomato pesto! Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Spread it on pizza or flatbread with some fresh basil leaves.
Stir in soups or stew.
Mix it into a cold pasta salad.
Use it as a spread for sandwiches.
Toss with your favorite type of noodles or gluten-free pasta with some toasted bread.
Serve as a dip with veggies or crackers.

Popular Substitutions & Additions

If you want to customize your vegan sun-dried tomato pesto, here are some possible substitutes and add-ins:

Substitute pine nuts for walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds.
Add a tablespoon of fresh oregano or garlic for an herby flavor boost.
Swap nutritional yeast with vegan parmesan cheese.
Add a few tablespoons of vegan cream cheese for a creamier texture.
Season to your taste with ground black pepper, more salt, or lemon juice.
Purchasing dry sundried tomatoes allows you to select from a wide variety of oils, including regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral-flavored one. Don't forget to rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water for at least 10 minutes before use!
Use extra olive oil if you prefer a runnier pesto.
Top your pesto with chopped pine nuts, parsley, or fresh basil leaves for an extra burst of flavor!

Now that you know how to make this delicious vegan sun-dried tomato pesto, why not give it a try and see what amazing creations you can come up with?

Can You Freeze Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto?

Yes, you can freeze sun-dried tomato pesto! Let the pesto cool completely before transferring it into ice cube trays, an air-tight container, or a plastic bag. Place it in the freezer until ready to use. To thaw, place the frozen pesto in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, give it a good stir and enjoy!

To store in the fridge, place the pesto in an airtight container or jar, and it will last for up to a week.

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