Chicken Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This vibrant slaw is proof that a side dish can absolutely steal the show. Two kinds of cabbage and freshly grated carrots get tossed in a bright, herbaceous pesto dressing built from blended basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, and lemon juice — no store-bought shortcuts needed. Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet before scattering them over the top adds a warm, nutty crunch that takes the whole thing to another level. A short rest lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up all that garlicky, lemony dressing without losing its satisfying bite. The optional nutritional yeast deepens the savory, almost cheesy quality of the pesto without any dairy, making this a genuinely crowd-pleasing dish for a wide range of eaters. Fresh parsley on top keeps it looking gorgeous right up until it hits the table. Whether you're serving it alongside grilled fish, tucking it into wraps, or eating it straight from the bowl, this slaw is the kind of recipe you'll come back to again and again.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly shredded
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ½ cup raw walnuts
For the dressing
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup raw walnuts
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Toast the 1/2 cup raw walnuts in a dry small skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a cutting board, let cool for 2 minutes, then roughly chop and set aside.
- 2
Make the pesto dressing: combine the basil, 1/4 cup raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using) in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once, about 30 seconds.
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