Lupin Free Basil-Pesto Spinach Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with bold herby flavor, this spinach salad is the kind of dish that makes a simple weeknight feel a little more special. The star is a silky homemade pesto built from fragrant basil, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of turmeric — that golden spice adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous color that makes the whole bowl pop. Instead of traditional pine nuts, the pesto leans on tiger nuts, which are naturally lupin-free and bring a mild, slightly sweet nuttiness that blends beautifully into the sauce. This matters because store-bought pestos and pre-dressed salads can be surprisingly tricky territory, with legume-derived ingredients sneaking in through flours or fillers you'd never expect. Making the pesto yourself in a food processor takes just a few minutes and gives you complete control over every ingredient. Crisp baby spinach, cool cucumber, and peppery radishes round out the salad with great texture and freshness, and you can dial the dressing up or down to your exact taste. Serve it immediately with a squeeze of lemon for a bright, clean finish that feels anything but plain.
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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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