Red Meat Allergy Friendly Basil-Pesto Cucumber Salad

Total time30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time0 min

Red Meat Allergy Friendly Basil-Pesto Cucumber Salad

Cool, crisp cucumbers meet a vibrant, herb-forward pesto in a salad that feels both refreshing and surprisingly satisfying. The homemade pesto skips pine nuts and cheese entirely, leaning instead on fresh basil, parsley, garlic, and a bright hit of lemon juice — so every component is naturally free from red meat and the hidden animal-derived additions that can sneak into store-bought versions. A pinch of turmeric gives the sauce a gorgeous golden-green hue and a subtle warmth that makes this feel like more than just a simple side. Salting the cucumbers first and letting them drain is a small but smart step that keeps the pesto from getting watery, so the flavors stay bold and concentrated all the way to the last bite. The whole thing comes together in one food processor and a single mixing bowl, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying it. Serve it immediately for the best texture, or prep the pesto ahead and toss just before plating — either way, it's the kind of dish that disappears fast.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the salad

2 large english cucumbers
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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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