Legume 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 real star here is the pesto itself — most classic versions rely on pine nuts, which are off the table for anyone avoiding legumes and tree nuts alike, but this one uses tiger nut flour as the base instead. Despite the name, tiger nuts are actually small root vegetables, making them a clever and completely compliant swap that gives the pesto a subtly nutty, creamy body without any of the usual concerns. Blended with packed fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil, it turns into a thick, spoonable sauce that clings beautifully to every leaf. Crisp radishes and cool cucumber slices add crunch and freshness, while a final drizzle of lemon juice keeps everything lively and bright. It's the kind of salad that works as a light lunch on its own or as a stunning starter when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it immediately so the arugula stays perfectly crisp and the flavors are at their peak.

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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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