MSG 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 a blender pesto built from fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic — real, whole ingredients with nothing hidden inside. That matters more than it might seem, because store-bought dressings and seasoning packets are some of the sneakiest sources of added glutamates, often tucked in under names that don't look suspicious at first glance. Here, every component is straightforward and easy to verify. Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet before scattering them over the finished slaw adds a deep, nutty crunch that makes the whole bowl feel more substantial. A short rest after tossing lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up the pesto without losing its satisfying bite. Finish it with a little fresh parsley and a squeeze of extra lemon if you like, and you have a crowd-pleasing dish that's as clean as it is delicious.
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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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