Lupin Free Basil-Pesto Cucumber Salad

Total time30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time0 min

4.7

(11)

Crisp cucumbers meet a vibrant, herb-packed pesto in a salad that feels both refreshing and surprisingly bold. The pesto here skips the pine nuts and cheese entirely, relying instead on fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil to build layers of flavor — which also makes it naturally free from lupin and lupin-containing additives that can sneak into store-bought pestos and pre-made dressings. A pinch of turmeric gives the sauce a gorgeous golden-green hue and a subtle warmth that sets this version apart from anything you'd find in a jar. Salting the cucumbers first and letting them drain is the small but crucial step that keeps everything from turning watery, so the pesto clings to every ribbon or round rather than pooling at the bottom of the bowl. The whole thing comes together in minutes and is served immediately for maximum crunch and color. A final drizzle of olive oil and a scatter of torn fresh basil over the top make it look like something you'd order at a nice bistro — but it's entirely homemade and completely in your control.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the salad

2 large english cucumbers
½ tsp fine sea salt

For the pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp ground turmeric

For serving

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)

Instructions

1
Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds or use a vegetable peeler to cut them into long ribbons, about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer to a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until the cucumbers have released some liquid. Pat dry with paper towels.
2
Combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, and turmeric in a food processor or blender. Pulse 5–6 times until the herbs are roughly chopped.

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