Nut Free Pesto

With an abundance of fragrant basil, there is nothing better than whipping up a quick batch of nut free pesto. My homemade pesto recipe freezes well and enhances the flavor of everything from sauces to dips, dressings, egg dishes, and more. This easy recipe is perfect for anyone with nut allergies. 

Pin

Basil is my favorite thing to grow in my garden in the summer. It is fairly easy to grow and delicious in this pesto and so many other preparations. If you don’t garden, simply buy a couple of bunches at the store, and you can also have delicious homemade pesto!

Also, try this Garlic Aioli Recipe for another great condiment!

Ingredients

• Fresh Basil – My favorite ingredient. I try to grow a lot of basil in the summers to have enough to make a year’s worth of pesto. If you are buying basil look for smooth, deep green leaves and a fragrant smell.
• Roasted, Salted Sunflower Seeds – These work perfectly for recipes you would like to replace nuts.
• Hard Cheese – Any type such as Romano or Parmesan will work. For a dairy-free version try adding nutritional yeast.
• Oil – I prefer a mild flavored oil in my pesto.
• Salt & Pepper – OPTIONAL. If you do use salted seeds you may not need any additional salt. You can add kosher salt or sea salt and black pepper to taste after the last step.

How to Make Nut Free Pesto

Step One: Add the ingredients to a food processor and blend until combined. Add more oil if needed.

Variations

• Spinach Pesto – Just sub in baby spinach in place of the basil.
• Sun-dried Tomato Pesto – Use sundried tomatoes (soak them first in hot water) in place of, or in addition to, the fresh basil leaves.
• Fresh Herbs – Try another herb in place of the basil. I like this Oregano Pesto Recipe with feta cheese in it.
• Garlic – Add some fresh garlic cloves or roasted garlic to the food processor with the other ingredients.
• Vegan Pesto – Swap in nutritional yeast for the cheese to make a vegan nut free pesto.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Like a bit of heat? Add a tiny pinch or two.
• Cilantro Lime Pesto – Switch out the basil for fresh cilantro and add lime juice or lime zest.
• Lemon Pesto – Add in some lemon juice or lemon zest.

If you don’t need a nut-free pesto and simply want to sub out the pine nuts try this Walnut Pesto. Or my Almond Pesto.

Common Questions

What is Nut Free Pesto?

Traditional basil pesto has basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. For anyone with a pine nut allergy or tree nut allergy that means they can’t have pesto at all. I opted to use sunflower seeds instead.

I didn’t miss the pignoli nuts in this pesto. The flavor of the basil and cheese shine through and I encourage you to use a good hard cheese. Pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese both work well. If you prefer another seed you can try pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds.

What type of oil should I use for pesto?

Traditionally, extra virgin olive oil is used for fresh basil pesto but any type of mild flavor oil may be used instead. Avocado oil works very well in this pine nut free pesto recipe. The oil provides healthy fats.

How do I store pesto?

You can keep this nut-free pesto recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks. The oil in it helps to preserve it so it is possible it will last longer than that.

Can I freeze pesto?

Absolutely! Leftover pesto freezes very well. I like to freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once it is solid you can pop the cubes out of the ice cube trays and transfer them to a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze as much air out of the freezer storage bag as possible to avoid freezer burn. Pesto can be frozen up to 6 months.

How can I use pesto?

Pesto is a versatile sauce and works great as a marinade for grilled meats and veggies, as a base for creamy dips and salad dressings, as a spread for pizza (my favorite way to use this delicious sauce), as a condiment for burgers, in Pesto Salad Dressing, and in many other recipes. Make a classic pesto pasta by tossing this with zucchini noodles, homemade Keto Pasta Noodles, or hearts of palm noodles.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use this nut free basil pesto: Pesto Cauliflower, Easy Mozzarella & Pesto Chicken Casserole, Baked Pesto Chicken, & Creamy Basil Baked Sausage.

Or use this in Keto Creamy Pesto Sauce which is excellent on every type of low carb noodles.

Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

Originally Published September 26, 2017. Revised and Republished October 25, 2025.