Carrageenan Free Cilantro-Lime Spinach Cashew Pesto
Bright, herby, and packed with bold flavor, this cashew-based pesto is the kind of sauce that makes you want to put it on absolutely everything. Cilantro and baby spinach team up for a vivid green base, while fresh lime juice and zest cut through the richness of the raw cashews with just the right amount of citrusy punch. A touch of garlic and optional cumin round it out into something that feels both vibrant and deeply savory. Many store-bought pestos and creamy sauces sneak in additives and thickeners — including carrageenan — to achieve that smooth, pourable texture. This one gets its body entirely from whole cashews and olive oil, blended together in a food processor until thick and luscious, with no fillers needed. You control every ingredient, which means you can enjoy it without second-guessing the label. The technique is simple: pulse, drizzle, taste, adjust. A splash of water at the end lets you dial in the exact consistency you want, whether that's a thick spread or a looser drizzle sauce. Toss it with pasta, spoon it over grilled vegetables, or use it as a dip — this pesto is endlessly versatile and comes together in just a few minutes of hands-on time.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, loosely packed
- 1 cup baby spinach, loosely packed
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ½ tsp lime zest
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cumin (optional)
- 2–3 tbsp water, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Add the cilantro, spinach, cashews, garlic, lime juice, and lime zest to a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the cashews are broken down into small pieces.
- 2
With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto comes together into a thick, slightly textured paste, about 20–30 seconds. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
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