Fresh Basil & Walnut Pesto

There is nothing quite like the bright, herbaceous aroma of freshly harvested basil, and this Fresh Basil & Walnut Pesto is the ultimate way to celebrate your garden bounty! Traditional pesto relies on expensive pine nuts, but swapping them out for earthy, buttery walnuts creates a deeper, richer flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with the sweet anise notes of the basil. Since we are using your pantry staples, we’ve skipped the dairy and opted for nutritional yeast. This brilliant ingredient provides that salty, nutty, and unmistakable cheesy umami kick that parmesan usually brings to the table, making this pesto entirely dairy-free and vegan while remaining authentically delicious. Fresh Basil & Walnut Pesto is incredibly versatile—you can toss it with hot pasta, spread it generously over sandwiches, drizzle it over roasted vegetables, or use it as a vibrant marinade for grilled proteins. The key to maintaining that gorgeous, vibrant green color is ensuring your basil leaves are thoroughly dried after washing, as excess water can dilute the flavor and cause the herbs to oxidize faster. If you find yourself with an abundance of this Fresh Basil & Walnut Pesto, you can easily preserve the taste of summer by spooning it into ice cube trays, freezing until solid, and storing the cubes in a zip-top bag. That way, whenever you need a burst of fresh, garlicky, herby goodness, you can simply pop a cube directly into your hot soup or pan!