Macadamia Free Basil-Pesto Spinach Salad
Fresh basil pesto over crisp baby spinach is one of those combinations that feels both effortless and impressive, and this version delivers on every level. The pesto comes together in a food processor with fragrant basil, garlic, bright lemon juice, and a touch of turmeric that adds a warm, golden hue without overpowering the herb-forward flavor. Tiger nuts stand in as the nut base here, giving the pesto a pleasantly creamy texture and a subtle earthiness that works beautifully in place of the tree nuts you'd typically find in a classic recipe. That swap is exactly what makes this salad a confident choice when macadamia nuts and other tree nuts need to stay off the table entirely. Thinly sliced radishes and cool cucumber rounds add crunch and freshness to every forkful, while the pesto clings to each spinach leaf just enough to make the whole bowl feel cohesive. Dress it lightly or go heavy — the recipe lets you add pesto a tablespoon at a time so you're fully in control. Serve it immediately with a squeeze of lemon and you've got a vibrant, satisfying salad that tastes like way more effort than it actually is.
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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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