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By Katja Heino 36 Comments
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Broccoli Pesto (dairy free)

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Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) | www.savorylotus.com

Broccoli pesto is an easy and delicious way to get your family to eat more vegetables. Throw it together in just minutes, and spread over just about anything. Only 5 simple ingredients. 

Classic pesto made with fresh basil is a summer fav in our household.  I’ve made variations with parsley, cilantro, and fennel, but had never thought of using broccoli.  Until now.  And I’m obsessed.

I had lunch with a friend recently at a local farm to table restaurant, and when her plate came, her bread was smothered with a beautiful spread that turned out to be broccoli pesto.  Brilliant!  Why had I not thought of that? So obviously I had to come right home and make my own version.

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) / www.savorylotus.com

There are 3 things that I changed in my version of broccoli pesto.

  1. I lightly steamed my broccoli cuz my belly prefers it cooked.  Easier to digest.
  2. I left out the cheese.  Cuz again, my belly prefers to avoid dairy.
  3.  I’ve used more than just basil as my second herb for this recipe.  I’ve made it with parsley and cilantro as well.  Both are amazing! So use whatever you have.

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) --- www.savorylotus.com

I’ve always been a fan of simple things.  And this broccoli pesto is a simple recipe that packs a big punch. Plus the hidden veggies! It goes well with so many things.  I’ve been eating it with my breakfast eggs, used it as a salad dressing, and topped my baked sweet potato with it last night.

With only 5 ingredients, it’s definitely a minimalist recipe that anyone can throw together. Feel free to add anything else that you usually love in pesto.  Some suggestions would be garlic and lemon.  Or a good Parmesan cheese, if cheese is your thing.

Lots of love to you all and enjoy!

xo,

Katja

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) // www.savorylotus.com

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) /// www.savorylotus.com

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) \\\\ www.savorylotus.com

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Broccoli Pesto (dairy free) | www.savorylotus.com

Broccoli Pesto (dairy free)

★★★★★ 5 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Katja from Savory Lotus
  • Yield: about 1 cup 1x
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup basil, parsley, or cilantro
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed and cooled **see note below
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (I use THIS organic, cold pressed brand)
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts, macadamia nuts, or pumpkin seeds
  • salt to taste

OPTIONAL

  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place basil (or parsley or cilantro) into food processor and process until broken into tiny pieces.  Scrape sides, add rest of ingredients (except salt) and and process again until smooth. Salt to taste and add more olive oil to desired consistency.
  2. Store in air tight glass jar in fridge until ready to use.

Notes

** I use a stainless steel steamer basket to steam the broccoli. About 3-4 minutes is enough for this recipe, so the broccoli is tender but still bright green.

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Filed Under: Condiments and Such Tagged With: basil, broccoli, broccoli pesto, condiments, dairy free, pesto

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carrie @ Clean Eating Kitchen says

    October 2, 2017 at 9:50 am

    Such a creative way to use broccoli. I bet it smells amazing, too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 8:22 am

      You really can’t go wrong with pesto, right?

      Reply
  2. Tina says

    October 2, 2017 at 11:38 am

    I love pesto! Never made one with broccoli before tho! Sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 8:26 am

      I love it too. I had never used broccoli before either. It’s so good!

      Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:25 am

      I hope you get a chance to try it. I’m totally sold on broccoli pesto now.

      Reply
  3. Hannah Healy says

    October 2, 2017 at 11:52 am

    What a great idea to sneak some broccoli into tasty pesto!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:25 am

      Right! The kiddos gobble it up. And the flavor is so good.

      Reply
  4. Jean says

    October 2, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    Such a brilliant idea to add broccoli in pesto! I can’t wait to try this version. Pesto is my favorite!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 8:21 am

      Me, too! It really is super delicious.

      Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:26 am

      It’s my fav too. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Renee says

    October 2, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    Ooo this is so fun! What a great idea! And such a great way to get some extra veggies in in a fun way!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:27 am

      Right?!? The kiddos love it. I din’t think they even notice that it’s broccoli.

      Reply
  6. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    October 2, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    This is such a great idea!!! I’ve never made anything like this before but I love pesto and I love broccoli. Can’t wait to make some!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:29 am

      Thank, Emily!!

      Reply
  7. Megan Stevens says

    October 3, 2017 at 10:24 am

    SUCH a good idea! I thank you, too, that it’s dairy-free. Love the lemon. Definitely going to make this! Yes, yay for gentle digestion and cooked broccoli!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 3, 2017 at 11:28 am

      Yes, raw broccoli is not my friend. I think the flavor is better too with slightly steamed broccoli.

      Reply
  8. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says

    October 4, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    I love anything made into pesto, but I haven’t tried broccoli yet, so thanks for the awesome inspiration!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 4, 2017 at 1:50 pm

      You are welcome, Kari!

      Reply
  9. Donna says

    October 7, 2017 at 6:18 am

    Oooh I’m loving the thought of this pesto on zoodles, loaded with goodness and taste – yummmmm xxD

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 8, 2017 at 8:19 pm

      YES! I love that it’s got extra veggies in it.

      Reply
  10. ChihYu says

    October 8, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    Love pesto and I’m so happy to have a broccoli version to add variety ! Thank you !

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 8, 2017 at 8:19 pm

      You’re welcome, ChihYu!

      Reply
  11. Cristina says

    October 8, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    I’m such a sucker for a nutritionally dense condiment! Definitely making this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Yay! Hope you love it!

      Reply
  12. Irena Macri says

    October 8, 2017 at 11:49 pm

    Love the hidden veggies in this pesto. This would be a great condiment or a side with fish or grilled chicken. Thanks for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      YES! Would be great on both chicken and fish!

      Reply
  13. Vanessa Woozley says

    October 9, 2017 at 5:49 am

    We make pesto A LOT in my house!! I’ve not tried it with broccoli but a great shout as I have lots in my fridge at the moment, thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      Hope you love it!

      Reply
  14. Darryl says

    October 9, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    Love this dish! A great idea of using broccoli for pesto, thank you!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks, Darryl!

      Reply
  15. Holley @ThePrimalDesire.com says

    October 9, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    um… yum, and what a great color!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Right?!? It’s so pretty!

      Reply
  16. Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says

    October 12, 2017 at 9:35 am

    Yum! What a tasty and easy way to get in more veggies!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      October 14, 2017 at 12:25 pm

      Thanks, Kelly!

      Reply
  17. Bethany Irwin says

    June 17, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    Late to the party here but just wanted to let you know that this has saved lunchtime battles feeding my 10 month old. I am struggling with dairy-free ideas due to her (probable) cows milk allergy and this stirred into scrambled eggs is a real winner! I sprinkle a bit of nutritional yeast in it to fake the cheesy hit I crave, it’s so delicious. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      June 24, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad your little one likes this. It’s such an easy way to get a bit more veggies in. 🙂

      Reply

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