AIP Friendly Arugula & Herb Pesto

Total time10 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time0 min

4.8

(29)

This vibrant green sauce is peppery, bright, and deeply herby — the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more alive. Packed arugula and fresh basil form the base, blitzed with garlic and a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil until the texture is lush and just slightly rustic. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice lifts the whole thing and keeps the flavors sharp and clean. Traditional pesto leans heavily on parmesan and pine nuts, both of which are off the table for anyone following the autoimmune protocol — so this version skips them entirely without sacrificing any of the richness or depth you'd expect. The olive oil does the heavy lifting here, creating that silky, coating consistency that makes pesto so satisfying in the first place. An optional pinch of turmeric adds a subtle warmth and a gentle golden hue if you want it. This recipe makes six servings, so it's worth blending a full batch and keeping it on hand all week. Stir it into roasted vegetables, spoon it over grilled meat, or use it as a base for a simple salad dressing — it's endlessly versatile and comes together in under five minutes.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

6 servings

2 cups fresh arugula, packed
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
2 cloves garlic, peeled
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp ground turmeric (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the arugula, basil, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the greens are coarsely chopped and the garlic is broken down.
2
With the processor running, pour the olive oil in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube and process until the pesto is mostly smooth with a slightly textured consistency, about 20–30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!