Beef Free Basil-Pesto Spinach Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and completely plant-forward, this spinach salad is built around a homemade pesto that swaps traditional pine nuts for tiger nuts — giving the dressing a subtly sweet, nutty depth that pairs beautifully with peppery radishes and cool cucumber. The pesto itself comes together in a food processor in just a few pulses, blending fragrant basil, garlic, and a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil into something silky and bright. A touch of lemon juice and ground turmeric round out the flavor, adding a citrusy lift and a warm golden hue that makes the whole bowl look as good as it tastes. Tossing baby spinach in a homemade dressing rather than a bottled one means you know exactly what's going in — no hidden additives, no mystery proteins, just clean, whole ingredients. The radishes bring a satisfying crunch and a pop of color, while the cucumber keeps things refreshing and light. Serve it immediately after dressing so the spinach stays perky, and squeeze a lemon wedge over the top right before eating for an extra burst of freshness. It's the kind of salad that actually feels like a meal.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ⅓ cup tiger nuts, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For the salad
- 6 oz baby spinach (about 6 packed cups)
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the basil, tiger nuts, and garlic in a food processor and pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely ground and no large pieces remain.
- 2
With the processor running, stream in the olive oil in a slow, steady pour until the pesto is smooth and emulsified, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides, then add the lemon juice, salt, and turmeric. Pulse 3–4 more times until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust salt.
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