Coconut Free Basil-Pesto Arugula Salad
Bright, peppery arugula meets a vibrant homemade pesto in a salad that feels both fresh and deeply satisfying. The dressing comes together in a food processor using packed basil, raw garlic, lemon juice, and a steady stream of good olive oil — no store-bought shortcuts needed, and no hidden ingredients to second-guess. Instead of pine nuts or cashews, tiger nut flour gives the pesto its body and a subtle nuttiness that works beautifully without any tree nut or coconut-derived thickeners. Crisp radishes and cool cucumber slices add texture and color, making every forkful interesting from start to finish. A final hit of flaky sea salt and torn fresh basil pulls the whole bowl together with that effortless, farmers-market kind of energy. It comes together fast, uses pantry-friendly staples, and the leftover pesto is genuinely worth saving for tomorrow.
About FigFig 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
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!