Eggless Vegan Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scapes are the curly, bright green shoots that spring up from hardneck garlic bulbs, and they bring a milder, grassier version of garlic flavor that makes this pesto genuinely special. Combined with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and a hit of lemon, the result is vibrant, nutty, and deeply savory — the kind of sauce you'll want to put on everything. Nutritional yeast steps in to deliver that rich, cheesy depth you'd expect from a classic pesto, no dairy required, and it blends seamlessly into the finished paste. Since the whole recipe comes together in a food processor with zero animal products, there's nothing to worry about on the egg front — every single ingredient is naturally plant-based. Toasting the pine nuts before blending is a small step that pays off big, adding a warm, golden complexity that elevates the whole batch. Toss it with pasta, spread it on crusty bread, swirl it into soups, or use it as a dipping sauce — this pesto is as versatile as it is easy to make.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 6 oz garlic scapes (about 10–12 scapes), roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.
- 2
Add the garlic scapes, basil, toasted pine nuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and uniform.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!