A Different Kind of Pesto: Vegan Spinach Cashew Pesto Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does vegan pesto last in the fridge? ›

How long does vegan pesto last? Fresh pesto will store well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Keep a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the top of the pesto so it doesn't brown.

The base is fresh basil, pine nuts, and garlic with a splash of lemon juice for acidity and brightness. For that cheesy color and flavor, I rely on nutritional yeast, which is a man-made yeast that can be high in B12 (depending on the brand).

Cashew nuts are a delicious, lightly sweet nut option that makes for a creamier pesto. Cashews are often used in dairy-free cheese alternatives because of their creaminess. For the same reason, they are a perfect alternative to pine nuts.

While your pesto can safely reside in your pantry until its first use, forgetting to refrigerate it after opening is guaranteed to spoil it long before the five-day mark. It's also best to seal and refrigerate your jar of sauce right after using, as exposure to oxygen can speed up the spoiling process.

Just make sure to leave some headroom at the top of the container so the pesto has room to expand as it freezes. Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months.

No problem. This easy vegan pesto recipe is a breeze to make, and it's every bit as bright, nutty, and delicious as the traditional version. When I make pesto, I almost always make this vegan pesto recipe. Don't get me wrong, I love traditional basil pesto, but this vegan version is just as good.

Its scarcity, plus the fact that the plants are picked roots, soil, and all to ensure that only juvenile leaves make it into pesto, makes it extraordinarily expensive and something that only premium, artisan pesto makers can justify using.

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

Why is my homemade pesto turning brown? ›

The cause of pesto turning brown, or grey is usually because the herbs have started oxidising. The best way to slow that process is to reduce the amount of time the sauce is exposed to air.

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts or even seeds like sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin can replace the traditional pine nuts in pesto. Pretty much any edible nut tastes delicious—just make sure to toast and cool the nut before grinding them into the sauce.

Cashew for their creamy texture, and almonds for their flavour. The pesto turned out great, taking on some different flavours from the nuts, but still providing the classic flavour thanks to an abundance of basil, parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon.

cashews: Pine nuts are higher in calories than cashews but contain fewer carbs and less protein. Both cashews and pine nuts have a soft texture and buttery taste, which is why cashews are commonly recommended as a substitute for pine nuts.

Once opened, a jar of pesto lasts in the fridge for three days without any dramatic loss of quality. It will be perfectly safe for another two days, but leave it any longer, and its quality will decline to the point that it will no longer be enjoyable to eat.

If your pesto has turned brown instead of green, that's another clear sign that it's rancid. And there's always the smell test: it will have a strong sour smell once it turns. But as always, it's better to err on the side of caution and throw the pesto out if you've got any doubts.

1-3 weeks is the recommendation. But it will actually last untill the oil goes rancid or grows mold on top. I can tell you I have far exceeded the 3 weeks, and the pesto was fine.. So I'm not crazy!

TO STORE: Refrigerate pesto pasta in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. TO FREEZE: Freeze pasta in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.