Shellfish Free Basil-Pesto Arugula Salad
Bright, peppery arugula meets a vibrant homemade pesto in a salad that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together with minimal effort. The pesto skips the usual pine nuts entirely, using tiger nut flour instead to create a thick, spoonable paste that clings beautifully to every leaf — no compromise on richness or texture. Fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil do the heavy lifting, delivering bold flavor that store-bought dressings simply can't match. Thinly sliced radishes and cool cucumber add crunch and freshness, making each bite feel balanced and alive. Because every component here is whole, plant-based, and made from scratch, there's zero guesswork about hidden seafood-derived additives that sometimes sneak into bottled dressings or pre-made pestos. This is the kind of salad that works as a light lunch on its own or as a stunning starter alongside a bigger spread. Serve it immediately after tossing so the arugula stays crisp and the pesto keeps its gorgeous green color.
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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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