Black Pepper Free Basil-Pesto Spinach Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with herby flavor, this spinach salad is the kind of dish that makes you feel good just looking at it. The real star is the homemade pesto — built from two cups of packed basil, tiger nuts instead of the usual pine nuts, and a bright hit of lemon juice that keeps everything tasting alive and light. A touch of ground turmeric adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous golden hue without any heat, making it a smart swap for anyone avoiding the bite that black pepper typically brings to a dressing. Tiger nuts bring a mild, slightly sweet nuttiness and a satisfying texture that blends beautifully into a smooth, emulsified sauce right in the food processor. Tossed with crisp baby spinach, cool cucumber half-moons, and paper-thin radish slices, the salad is refreshing and substantial at the same time. Because you're making the pesto from scratch, you have complete control over every ingredient — no store-bought shortcuts that might sneak in unwanted spices. Serve it immediately with a squeeze of lemon for a dish that's as stunning on the table as it is easy to pull together.
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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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