BHA & BHT Free Basil-Pesto Arugula Salad
Bright, peppery arugula meets a vibrant homemade pesto in a salad that feels both effortless and a little impressive. The pesto comes together in a food processor using fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil — no jarred shortcuts, no mystery additives, just clean whole ingredients you can actually recognize. Tiger nut flour steps in as the base that gives the pesto its body, creating a thick, spoonable paste with a slightly rustic texture that clings beautifully to every leaf. Thinly sliced radishes and cool cucumber half-moons add crunch and freshness, making this more than just a dressed green salad. A final hit of flaky sea salt and torn basil over the top pulls everything together with that satisfying, restaurant-worthy finish. For anyone navigating preservative sensitivities, store-bought dressings and pesto are often where hidden additives sneak in — making a from-scratch version like this one the smartest and most delicious move you can make.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp tiger nut flour
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For the salad
- 5 oz baby arugula (about 6 cups loosely packed)
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- flaky sea salt, to taste
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the 2 cups packed basil leaves, garlic cloves, tiger nut flour, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and fine sea salt in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the garlic is broken down.
- 2
With the processor running, stream in the 1/3 cup olive oil in a slow, steady pour until the pesto comes together into a thick, spoonable paste — it will be slightly textured, not completely smooth. Scrape down the sides and pulse once more to incorporate. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
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