Hazelnut Free Basil-Pesto Arugula Salad

Total time15 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time0 min

4.6

(7)

Bright, peppery arugula meets a vibrant homemade pesto in a salad that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in minutes. The pesto is the real star here — blitzed from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil into a thick, spoonable paste that coats every leaf with bold, herby flavor. Instead of the pine nuts or hazelnuts you'd typically find in a classic pesto, this version uses tiger nut flour to add body and a subtle earthiness, making it completely safe for anyone avoiding tree nuts without sacrificing that satisfying richness. Thinly sliced radishes and cool cucumber rounds add crunch and freshness, while a final drizzle of olive oil and lemon keeps everything light and lively. Store-bought pestos can be a minefield of unexpected nut additions, so blending your own from scratch puts you fully in control of every ingredient. Serve it immediately after tossing so the arugula stays crisp and the pesto clings just right — this one is best eaten the moment it hits the bowl.

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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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