Pregnancy Friendly Basil-Pesto Spinach Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with nutrients that matter most right now, this spinach salad with homemade basil pesto is the kind of meal that feels indulgent while quietly doing a lot of good. Baby spinach brings iron and folate to the bowl, while crisp radishes and cool cucumber slices add satisfying crunch and hydration. The pesto is the real star — blended from fresh basil, garlic, and tiger nuts, which stand in for traditional pine nuts and deliver a subtly sweet, earthy richness without any of the common allergen concerns. A touch of turmeric and bright lemon juice round out the dressing with anti-inflammatory warmth and a citrusy lift that keeps every bite feeling fresh. Because you're making the pesto from scratch in a food processor, you control exactly what goes in — no mystery additives, no preservatives, just clean, whole ingredients. The whole thing comes together quickly and serves beautifully straight from the bowl, making it an easy win on days when energy is low but appetite is high. Finish with extra torn basil and a squeeze of lemon for a restaurant-worthy plate that's as nourishing as it is delicious.
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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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