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Home » Dressings/Sauces

How To Make The Best Paleo Pesto!

Published: Dated: August 3, 2015 Modified: Last Modified: August 16, 2018 Christine Galvani 7 Comments This post may contain affiliate links ·

Home » Dressings/Sauces

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Paleo pesto is so easy to make, delicious and great on chicken, in chicken salad, on grilled fish, with zoodles, as a spread for crackers.  The list goes on and on.

This Paleo pesto with walnuts recipe is garlic free (low fodmap), Whole30, grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free!

Paleo pesto on waffle with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.

 

Paleo pesto in glass jar.

 

Bowl of fresh basil.

 

Paleo pesto in glass jar - 24 Carrot Kitchen

What Can You Use Instead Of Pinenuts in Pesto?

In this recipe, I use walnuts instead of pine nuts and the recipe is delicious!

Paleo pesto ingredients in small food processor.

Paleo Pesto:

In addition to my current grain free, gluten free and dairy free lifestyle, I am also following a mostly low fodmaps diet.  So, garlic is out.  Even with these restrictions, I have found plenty of delicious, amazing, fresh foods and recipes.  It may be surprising, but with a few changes or substitutions, many recipes can be adjusted and still be completely tasty and satisfying.  In other words, I am not missing anything!

Paleo Pesto in a small food processor.

I find the summer season is the best time to find fresh basil to make my pesto.  I really don't bother making it during any other season.  If I am lucky, what I make and freeze lasts through the winter.

Add some spinach to make this a Paleo spinach pesto!

In the photo below, I show the basil plant I plucked and stripped bare to make this recipe.  It yielded exactly four cups of basil leaves.  Once you cut the basil leaves off the plant, they do not grow back.  It is a one-shot deal.  The resulting Garlic Free Basil Pesto was so fresh tasting.  I used raw walnuts (versus the traditional pine nuts) in this recipe as well.

Related:  Dairy-Free Pesto

 

Basil plant, walnuts and lemon slices on table - 24 Carrot Kitchen

Can You Have Pesto On Whole30?

Yes, as long as the ingredients are Whole30 compliant, which this pesto recipe is.

Paleo Pesto:

I will admit I could eat this Garlic Free Basil Pesto straight as it is, but it makes a great sauce for meat (try grilled chicken), zoodles (spiralized zucchini noodles), salads, potatoes, spaghetti squash and more.  How about slathering some on eggs?  That sounds awesome!

Paleo pesto on a waffle with a slice of tomato!

Once you have made your pesto, simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.  If you won't be using all right away, freeze in ice cube tray for the future.  Then all you have to do is take out individually frozen pesto cubes, defrost in the fridge and use in your recipe or as a sauce.  You will be amazed at how fresh it tastes.

Paleo Pesto Would Be Fantastic With:

Grain-Free Focaccia Bread

Tomato Basil Egg Scramble

Gluten-Free Fritatta Recipe

Baked Chicken Breasts

Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

What are your favorite uses for pesto?

 

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!

5 from 2 votes
Dairy-Free pesto in glass jar.
Print
The Best Paleo Pesto - Fresh, Easy, Dairy Free!
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 

Paleo Pesto!  Garlic Free Pesto (Low Fodmap).  Summer is all about enjoying fresh herbs that are available. In this recipe, use fresh basil and with the combinations of flavors, I bet you don't miss the garlic. Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free.

Course: Condiment, dressing/sauce, Pesto, Spread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5
Calories: 216 kcal
Author: Christine Galvani
Ingredients
  • 4 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 3/4 cup raw walnuts
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (Juice of one large lemon)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper (salt and pepper to taste)
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend for several minutes until your basil pesto becomes creamy.
  2. Store in refrigerator for up to a week. Or consider freezing by filling ice cube trays.
  3. Great as a sauce for meat, zoodles, salad, spaghetti squash, potatoes and more.
  4. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
The Best Paleo Pesto - Fresh, Easy, Dairy Free!
Amount Per Serving
Calories 216 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 143mg4%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1015IU20%
Vitamin C 7.2mg9%
Calcium 51mg5%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Easy to Pin It Strip:

Garlic Free Pesto - 24 Carrot Kitchen

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About Christine Galvani

Foodie recipe creator of delicious grain, gluten, and dairy-free recipes for 5+ years. Nature lover, adventure seeker, wife, mom, dog mom. I love to create clean eating, real food recipes that everyone loves.

Read more about me here!

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    July 26, 2020 at 7:24 pm

    You can harvest from your basil plant and let it keep growing. You just have to pinch the leaves off. There are lots of YouTube videos that show to do this 🙂

    Reply
    • Christine Galvani says

      August 17, 2020 at 10:36 am

      Thanks, Nicole, I'm going to try this!

      Reply
  2. Lara says

    May 09, 2018 at 5:10 am

    5 stars
    Dying to try this tonight!!! I’m extremely allergic to all forms of garlic and have been “poisoned” several times just from slight cross contamination. Been missing out on things like pesto my entire adult life. You just hacked my restrictions!!!!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      May 10, 2018 at 8:46 am

      Hi Lara! So glad you'll be trying this. 🙂

      Reply
    • Christine says

      May 18, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Hi Lara! Yes, I completely understand. You'll love this pesto!

      Reply
  3. bjg says

    February 22, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    5 stars
    This is a tasty recipe and the garlic-based ones can suffocate anyone within breathing distance...so I think this is a winner.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      February 22, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      Yes, it is great and delicious on so many things!

      Reply

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Christine Galvani

Welcome!

Easy, fast recipes with whole food, seasonal ingredients is my focus these days.  My quick tip is to find a core group of recipes you make on repeat.

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