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A flavorful combo of spinach, artichokes, garlic, lemon, and pumpkin seeds. This dairy-free, nut-free, beautifully green, Spinach Artichoke Pesto is a condiment you will reach for again and again.
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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!
Ingredient notes
Traditional pestos usually contain pine nuts. I have a weird aversion to pine nuts. They cause me to have a constant pine taste in my mouth for weeks after eating them.
I’ve discovered that raw pumpkin seeds are my favorite substitution. They 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!
If you love pesto, you’ll also love my Pumpkin Seed Pesto and my Kale Walnut Pesto!
How to serve
This fresh, citrusy, artichoke pesto will liven up a variety of dishes.
It’s great 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 slathered on a veggie burger. The possibilities are limitless.
If you love artichokes, put this tasty pesto on your must-make list!
Vegan recipes using pesto
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Spinach Artichoke Pesto
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) quartered or halved artichoke hearts drained
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until the desired consistency is reached, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. It should be minced finely, but not completely smooth.
- Taste and adjust for seasoning if necessary.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Karlyn
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.
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
I love this! First I’m going to try it as a base on a tortilla! 🙂
Jenn S.
That sounds like a fabulous idea! Let me know how you like it, Ginny!
Sina
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.
Thank you so much, Sina! It’s crazy flavorful!
Mandy
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.
Thanks, Mandy! I definitely have been putting it on everything! It’s so flavorful!
Alisa Fleming
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.
Thanks, Alisa! It’s one I will be making quite a lot!
Melissa | Vegan Huggs
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.
Yes, Melissa, pumpkin seeds are sooo good in pesto! Let me know if you try it.
Linda
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.
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
I make a lemon artichoke pesto too! The flavors are so perfect together!
Jenn S.
Oh really? Is it on your blog? I’l have to check it out!
Greg
Pesto is always a win. Artichokes and pumpkin seeds? What a cool idea – I bet this tastes wonderful.
Jenn S.
Thanks, Greg! It’s a great combo! Have a great weekend!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
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.
I’m with you – pestos are the best! So flavorful and they go with everything!
Nicole Dawson
I saw this on your Pinterest and was so excited! Nut free & dairy-free, this is something I MUST make. Thanks Jenn.
Jenn S.
Thank you, Nicole! I hope you all love it!
Diana
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.
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
Having a nut free pesto is a great idea, and these ingredients make it sound really flavoursome. A great idea.
Jenn S.
Thanks, Helen! It definitely packs a big flavor punch!
Renz
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.
Oh perfect, thank you! Pumpkin seeds are definitely my go-to for any pesto!
Cristie | Little Big H
I have never thought to add artichoke to pesto. What a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to try this now.
Jenn S.
It brings such big flavor with such little effort! Let me know if you give it a try!