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Spinach Artichoke Pesto – a heavenly combo of spinach, artichokes, garlic, lemon, and pumpkin seeds. This dairy free, nut free, beautifully green pesto is a condiment you will reach for again and again.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here this last week. Temperatures were well above normal, the sun has been shining, and I’ve got spring fever in a bad way. It’s making me crave all things bright and fresh and green!
This Green Vegetable Juice has been in heavy rotation (even the kids like it!) as have salads of every kind. I made these white bean veggie burgers the other night and this Spinach Artichoke Pesto was the perfect accompaniment. It’s super easy – takes just about 5 minutes – so let’s get that flavor going!
Nut Free
Traditional pestos usually contain pine nuts. I have a weird aversion to pine nuts. I will literally have a constant pine taste in my mouth for weeks after eating them. I’ve discovered that raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are my favorite substitution. They also have a subtly “cheesy” flavor, so they make a great sub for the parmesan cheese that is usually found in pestos as well. The use of pumpkin seeds here makes my pesto allergy friendly – dairy free and nut free!
A Versatile Sauce
This fresh, citrusy, artichoke pesto will liven up a variety of dishes. Mixed with pasta, tossed in a salad, in place of marinara on a pizza, a dip for veggies, spread on crusty bread as an appetizer, or atop a veggie burger. The possibilities are limitless. If you love artichokes, put this dairy free pesto on your must-make list!
Spinach Artichoke Pesto
I hope you guys love this Spinach Artichoke Pesto as much as we do! If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Thanks!
- 1 14 oz can quartered or halved artichoke hearts (drained)
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until a sauce is formed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Taste and adjust for seasoning if necessary.
More Flavorful Dairy Free Sauces to Love:
Sandy says
Can you replace the pumpkin seeds with Nutritional yeast instead as I don’t use any type of seeds (excepts chia and flax).
Jenn S. says
You could certainly try it. I like pumpkin seeds because they have a somewhat cheesy flavor, so nooch should be a decent sub. It might be creamier in texture than with the seeds, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Let me know how it turns out.
Megan says
I love a nut free pesto option! My daughter has an allergy so I haven’t been able to make pesto, but my husband loved it so I have been looking for an easy alternative. Definitely going to try this!!
Jenn S. says
This will be perfect then. I hope you love it! Thanks, Megan!
Karlyn says
I have to say, I LOVE this recipe! I made it yesterday and plan to make it regularly from now on. It was easy to make and tasted great on my toast this morning. I didn’t have the seeds on hand yesterday, so I used some raw walnuts and that worked well too. Next time I may try pepitos and see how that works. I also love that this recipe doesn’t call for much oil. It’s a healthy recipe and so yummy! Thank you for sharing. I signed up for your news and look forward to more healthy yummies recipes.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Karlyn! That is so great to hear! I’m planning to make another batch today in fact. We’ve been eating it with whole wheat crackers as a snack and it gets devoured so quickly! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and sign up for the newsletter. I hope you find lots more recipes to love! 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
I love this! First I’m going to try it as a base on a tortilla! 🙂
Jenn S. says
That sounds like a fabulous idea! Let me know how you like it, Ginny!
Sina says
This looks so delicious, Jenn! What a great combo. I absolutely LOVE artichokes, but I haven’t used it for pesto yet. Can’t wait to try your recipe! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Sina! It’s crazy flavorful!
Mandy says
What a creative take on the usual pesto and I love this color! It looks so creamy and addicting…I’m pretty sure I’d find excuses to put it on just about everything. I can’t wait to see the veggie burger recipe that you paired this with! Adding this to my list!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mandy! I definitely have been putting it on everything! It’s so flavorful!
Ceara says
It has been gorgeous weather here too! I love all the flavors in this pesto!! I imagine it would be so tastyyy with pasta and asparagus! YUM!
Jenn S. says
Yes! I like the way you think! So yum!
Alisa Fleming says
Now this is a delicious way to enjoy artichokes! It’s a must try, and neat that your recipe is nut-free, too.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Alisa! It’s one I will be making quite a lot!
Melissa | Vegan Huggs says
Lovin’ this pesto you made! It looks so bright and tasty. Such a great idea to use pumpkin seeds instead. I’ve gotta try it!
Jenn S. says
Yes, Melissa, pumpkin seeds are sooo good in pesto! Let me know if you try it.
Linda says
I’m so missing that lovely weather. Today is so gray and cold. Your pesto would certainly brighten things up. It sounds delicious. I can’t wait to see your burger recipe.
Jenn S. says
I know – we were so spoiled with that lovely weather. We had a crazy hail storm (along with all the thunderstorms) last night that woke everyone up. And today it’s been raining all day today too – gray, cold and yucky. 🙁
Sarah says
I make a lemon artichoke pesto too! The flavors are so perfect together!
Jenn S. says
Oh really? Is it on your blog? I’l have to check it out!
Greg says
Pesto is always a win. Artichokes and pumpkin seeds? What a cool idea – I bet this tastes wonderful.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Greg! It’s a great combo! Have a great weekend!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Looks delicious, Jenn! I’ve never met a pesto sauce I didn’t like, especially when it’s a beautiful green like this one!
Jenn S. says
I’m with you – pestos are the best! So flavorful and they go with everything!
Nicole Dawson says
I saw this on your Pinterest and was so excited! Nut free & dairy-free, this is something I MUST make. Thanks Jenn.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Nicole! I hope you all love it!
Diana says
can’t wait to try this, i always try and find pesto recipes that DON’T use basil since it’s expensive and I have a black thumb :-/
Jenn S. says
LOL! I have several different pesto recipes on my blog. I love basil, but there are so many other flavorful herbs and veggies that work just as well!
Helen says
Having a nut free pesto is a great idea, and these ingredients make it sound really flavoursome. A great idea.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Helen! It definitely packs a big flavor punch!
Renz says
I especially love the pumpkin seeds addition. I love that this is nut free. Just sent it to my cousin, she would love this option.
Jenn S. says
Oh perfect, thank you! Pumpkin seeds are definitely my go-to for any pesto!
Cristie | Little Big H says
I have never thought to add artichoke to pesto. What a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to try this now.
Jenn S. says
It brings such big flavor with such little effort! Let me know if you give it a try!
Laura says
Oh yes please!! This sounds awesome!
Jenn S. says
Enjoy, Laura!
Rebecca | NOURISHED. says
This sounds amazing!! Love the pumpkin seeds here. I have a huge weakness for anything spinach amd artichoke so I know I am definitely going to enjoy this on everything.
Jenn S. says
It’s such a great combo, isn’t it?! Thanks, Rebecca!
Taylor Kiser says
Loving the flavors in this pesto! Just thinking of everything I could put this on! Can’t wait to try it!
Jenn S. says
Everything! Thanks, Taylor!
Luci's Morsels says
Yum! What a fun twist. I am already imagining all of the goodies I could use this with.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Luci! I just finished up my second batch with some whole wheat crackers!
Nicole says
I adore artichokes! So nice to find a pesto recipe that doesn’t contain pine or cashew nuts!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Nicole! I really LOVE pumpkin seeds in pesto. Let me know if you try it!
Emily Kyle says
Oh, I love the swap for pumpkin seeds! I bet this would be perfect on just about anything, even just toast! Yum!
Jenn S. says
Now I’m craving toast and pesto!!! Great idea!
Mel says
Pesto makes for such an easy dinner. We eat it so often. I need to try this version!
Jenn S. says
Yes, so easy! Thanks, Mel!
Amanda Brooks says
I always think about getting artichokes but don’t really know what to do with them. Now I do!! pinning this to remember
Jenn S. says
Yes, get some! So good!
Maria says
I am a huge fan of spreads! This recipe looks delish.
Jenn S. says
Nothing better than a good sauce/spread to make a meal really shine! Thanks, Maria!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
Love a good pesto! I use so many things other than pine nuts for my pestos, from pumpkin seeds to walnuts, the possibilities are endless and often ever better! Looks delicious!
Jenn S. says
Yes, me too! I have a Kale Walnut Pesto on the blog too. And I use a combo of almonds and pumpkin seeds in another one. So versatile! Thanks, Sophia!
Sarah says
Such a great idea with the artichoke hearts! I would have never thought about that, I’ll have to give this a try!
Jenn S. says
It’s so incredibly flavorful. I hope you love it, Sarah!
Laura says
The perfect substitute for people with allergies who love pesto! LOVE it!
Jenn S. says
Thank you! I agree!
Dianne says
Oooo… I make spinach pesto often, but I’ve never thought to add artichokes to it. Genius!
Jenn S. says
It’s so tangy and delicious! Thanks, Dianne!
RFC says
I’ve never tried to make my own pesto. But this looks amazingly fresh and delicious!
Jenn S. says
Oh, you really should – it’s so easy! And so versatile too! Enjoy!
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
What a great way to make this nut free! I love all pestos so I’m totally trying this, I think I have extra sunflower seeds at home. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mary Ellen! I’m sure sunflower seeds would work as well. I hope you love it!
Becky Striepe says
Ooh I love this spin on traditional pesto. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Becky! Enjoy!