Seed Oil Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This slaw is a serious upgrade from the mayo-drenched versions you've probably pushed around your plate at a cookout. The dressing is a bright, blender-made pesto built on extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, lemon juice, and walnuts — zero industrial oils, zero mystery ingredients. That matters more than it sounds, because most store-bought slaws and bottled dressings are loaded with refined seed oils that are nearly impossible to avoid unless you're making things yourself. The combination of shredded green and red cabbage with grated carrots gives you crunch and color, while that short 10-minute rest lets the vegetables soak up every bit of the garlicky, herby dressing. Toasted walnuts go in at the end so they stay crisp and add a nutty depth that ties the whole bowl together. It's the kind of dish that works as a weeknight side, a potluck contribution, or a base for grilled proteins — and you can feel genuinely good about every ingredient in it.
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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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