Artificial Flavors Free Arugula & Herb Pesto
Pesto from a jar often hides a surprising number of additives, natural flavor blends, and preservatives that have no business being in something this simple. This version keeps things completely clean — just fresh arugula, fragrant basil, garlic, good olive oil, and a bright squeeze of lemon. The arugula brings a peppery bite that makes this pesto feel more complex and interesting than the standard basil-only kind, while the lemon juice lifts everything and keeps the color vivid. A pinch of turmeric is optional, but it adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous golden tint if you're feeling it. The whole thing comes together in a food processor in just a few pulses, so there's no cooking, no fuss, and nothing to question on an ingredient label. Toss it with pasta, spread it on toast, or use it as a dipping sauce — it's endlessly versatile and tastes like something you'd pay too much for at a specialty grocery store.
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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.
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