• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings

A Nourishing Plate

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Substitutes
    • Basics
    • Pairings
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free

    June 23, 2021 Condiments

    Red Pesto Sauce (Dairy-Free)

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.

    This red pesto sauce is made with a handful of simple pantry ingredients and is naturally dairy-free. It has a rich, complex flavor and is the perfect addition to any meal.

    If you're not the biggest fan of green pesto, you're in luck because there's a new (to some*) sauce in town and it's red pesto.

    (*It's not actually new.)

    What is Red Pesto?

    Red pesto, also called pesto Rosso or pesto alla siciliana, has many of the same ingredients as traditional pesto. Although, unlike green pesto, the base is made of sundried tomatoes and uses a smaller amount of fresh basil.

    Originally, almonds were used instead of pine nuts, but now there are many different variations.

    Most store-bought varieties are full of pretty junky ingredients and almost always have dairy. It's so easy to make your own, plus the flavor is so worth the extra effort.

    Ingredients

    • sundried tomatoes packed in oil - olive oil is best
    • whole roasted red peppers - from a jar
    • fresh basil
    • toasted walnuts
    • garlic cloves
    • lemon juice
    • nutritional yeast
    • extra virgin olive oil
    • salt & pepper

    How to Make Red Pesto

    Add all the ingredients to the bowl of your food processor. Process until everything is well combined. Taste, and add more salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed.

    Make It Your Way: Ingredient Substitutions

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make this red pesto sauce using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No oil-packed sundried tomatoes? ➝ use the sundried tomatoes you have + ½ cup extra virgin olive oil in total
    • No walnuts? ➝ pine nuts, almonds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds are great (toast them for the best flavor)
    • No nutritional yeast? ➝ leave it out or use dairy-free parmesan (regular if not dairy-free)

    Helpful Tips

    Best Tool For Pesto

    It's easiest to make pesto in a food processor instead of a blender. You can learn about the differences between the two in this post.

    Toast the nuts for optimal flavor

    Add the nuts to a dry pan over medium heat and toast until fragrant, stirring occasionally. It only takes a few minutes, but they can burn easily so keep a watchful eye.

    Don't like raw garlic?

    Reduce the harshness of raw garlic by cooking it in a small amount of olive oil for a minute or two before adding it to the food processor. This will help to remove the bitterness. As soon as you're done toasting the nuts, you can do this step.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Easy Arugula Pesto (Nut-Free Option)
    • Walnut Basil Pesto
    • Vegan Sundried Tomato Pâté
    • Dairy-Free Red Pesto Stuffed Peppers
    jar of homemade red pesto
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Red Pesto Sauce (Dairy-Free)

    This red pesto sauce is made with a handful of simple pantry ingredients and is naturally dairy-free. It has a rich, complex flavor and is the perfect addition to any meal.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • 8.5 oz jar oil-packed sundried tomatoes see notes
    • 1 roasted red pepper (from a jar)
    • ½ cup fresh basil
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
    • ⅓ cup walnuts, toasted or substitute
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ lemon, juiced
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
    • pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Add the whole jar of sundried tomatoes, including the oil, along with the rest of the ingredients to the bowl of your food processor.
    • Blend until well combined. Taste, and add more lemon juice, salt, and pepper if needed.
    • Makes 1½ cups.

    Notes

    • How can you make this red pesto sauce using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
      • No oil-packed sundried tomatoes? ➝ use the sundried tomatoes you have + ½ cup extra virgin olive oil in total
      • No walnuts? ➝ pine nuts, almonds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds are great (toast them for the best flavor)
      • No nutritional yeast? ➝ leave it out or use dairy-free parmesan (regular if not dairy-free)

    More Gluten-Free Recipes

    • Almond Ricotta
    • A spoonful of homemade granola oat butter on top of a jar.
      Granola Butter (Nut-Free, Oat Spread)
    • A bowl of homemade spicy honey mustard.
      Spicy Honey Mustard
    • A platter of roasted carrots and dates with chopped pistachios.
      Roasted Carrots and Dates With Pistachios

    Reader Interactions

    Rate & Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

    More about me →

    Spring Recipes

    • A large bowl of potato and asparagus salad with roasted garlic dressing.
      Potato Asparagus Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
    • A loaf of carrot cake cut with a couple of slices in the front.
      Carrot Cake Loaf With Zesty Citrus Glaze
    • Lavender Lemonade
    • Sautéed Garlic Scapes with squeezed lime
      Sautéed Garlic Scapes with Smoked Sea Salt and Lime

    Popular Posts

    • A small bowl of spicy sushi mayo with a spoon.
      Japanese Spicy Mayo (For Sushi, Poke, And Beyond)
    • pouring vegan oyster sauce into a glass jar
      Vegan Oyster Sauce Recipe
    • What Goes With Spinach?
    • A short glass of overnight chia seed pudding topped with fresh fig slices and dukkah seasoning.
      Overnight Chia Seed Pudding

    Footer

    Get Started

    Capsule Pantry
    Cooking Basics
    Ingredient Pairings
    Substitutes

    Explore By Seasons

    Fall Recipes
    Winter Recipes
    Spring Recipes
    Summer Recipes

    Connect

    About
    Contact
    Subscribe
    Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Privacy policy. Disclaimer. Copyright © 2022 A Nourishing Plate LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.