Artificial Food Coloring Free Dill & Pumpkin Seed Sauce
This vibrant green sauce is built entirely from whole, real ingredients — toasted pepitas, fresh dill, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil — so there's not a drop of artificial dye or synthetic coloring anywhere near it. That brilliant color comes straight from the herbs themselves, which is honestly more satisfying than anything a food manufacturer could bottle. Bottled sauces and dressings are some of the sneakiest sources of hidden colorants, making a quick homemade blend like this a genuinely smart swap. Toasting the pumpkin seeds first adds a subtle nuttiness that gives the sauce real depth and body, while the lemon juice keeps everything bright and fresh-tasting. It blends up smooth in under a minute and works beautifully drizzled over grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or a grain bowl. Keep a jar in the fridge and you've got a clean, flavorful sauce ready to elevate almost anything you're cooking this week.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 cup fresh dill, loosely packed
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 small clove garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3–4 tbsp water, plus more as needed
- ¼ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground cumin (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring frequently, until they begin to pop and turn lightly golden, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a plate and let cool for 2 minutes.
- 2
Add the toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh dill, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, 3 tbsp water, salt, pepper, and cumin (if using) to a blender or food processor.
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