Capsaicin Free Basil-Pesto Arugula Salad
Bright, herby, and built entirely around fresh ingredients, this arugula salad is the kind of dish that looks impressive but comes together in minutes. The star is a homemade basil pesto that skips the usual pine nuts in favor of tiger nut flour, giving it a subtly nutty, creamy body without any heat-containing spices or additives sneaking in. For anyone navigating capsaicin sensitivity, store-bought dressings and pestos are often a minefield — even "mild" versions can hide paprika, chili extract, or spice blends that cause real discomfort. Making the pesto from scratch here means you control every single ingredient, and the result is genuinely delicious. Peppery arugula, cool cucumber, and crisp radishes get tossed with a bright lemon-olive oil base before the pesto is folded in, coating every leaf in deep, garlicky flavor. A finish of flaky sea salt and torn fresh basil pulls the whole bowl together into something that feels restaurant-worthy. Serve it immediately so the greens stay lively and the pesto stays vibrant green.
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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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