Pork Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This vibrant slaw brings together two kinds of cabbage, sweet grated carrots, and fresh scallion greens, all tossed in a bright, herby pesto dressing that makes every forkful feel like a little celebration. The dressing is built from scratch in a blender — fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic — so you know exactly what's going into it with zero mystery ingredients to worry about. Toasting the walnuts before scattering them over the top adds a warm, nutty crunch that takes the whole thing to another level. A short rest after tossing lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up all that garlicky, lemony goodness without losing its satisfying bite. It's the kind of side dish that works equally well at a backyard cookout, a weeknight dinner, or meal-prepped ahead for lunches throughout the week. Every component here is naturally plant-based and free from any meat products, so it fits easily into a wide range of tables without any substitutions required.
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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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