Lactose Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
Crunchy, vibrant, and packed with fresh flavor, this slaw is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at any table. The dressing is the real star — a blender pesto built from fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, and bright lemon juice that coats every shred of cabbage and carrot in something deeply savory and green. Because the dressing is entirely plant-based, there's no dairy to worry about, and the optional nutritional yeast adds a subtle umami depth without any cheese in sight. Toasting the walnuts before scattering them over the top is a small step that pays off big, bringing a warm, nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender, dressed vegetables. A short rest lets the cabbage relax and soak up all that pesto goodness, so the texture lands somewhere between crisp and silky. It works as a bold side for grilled proteins, a topping for grain bowls, or honestly just eaten straight from the bowl with a fork.
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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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