Shop
Joyous Health Recipes Food
Joyous Health Wellbeing Well-Being
Joyous Health Beauty Beauty
Joyous Health Family Family
Podcast
Previous Episodes 
Joyous Health Kids
ABOUT
Contact
RESOURCES
Podcast
Joyous Health Kids
ABOUT
Contact
RESOURCES

Lemon Basil Pesto

Pesto is the perfect partner for a quick pasta dish, but you can also use it as a dip for flatbreads and crackers, as a spread for sandwiches or a sauce for a gluten-free pizza.
May 5, 2016 | Joy McCarthy

This is a super simple recipe that literally takes just five minutes to make and it's incredibly delicious!

Pesto is the perfect partner for a quick pasta dish, but you can also use it as a dip for flatbreads and crackers, as a spread for sandwiches or a sauce for a gluten-free pizza. You can easily personalize this pesto by experimenting with additional ingredients. (I personally add sundried tomatoes.)

For this recipe, I'm going to keep it fairly classic with a lemon basil pesto. 

No pesto's truly complete without the basil that gives pesto its signature taste. But this herb is more than just tasty, it's also chock-full of health-boosting nutrients. Basil's got:

  • blood-building folate and iron;
  • antioxidant, skin health-boosting vitamins A and C;
  • magnesium (nature's mineral chill pill!); and
  • anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

For an extra dose of super healthy plant-based omega-3s, I've used hemp hearts instead of the pine nuts you'll usually find in pesto. I love adding hemp to my recipes. Hemp hearts are shelled hemp seeds and they're a great way to add blood-sugar balancing healthy fats. You'll find me using hemp hearts in everything from my Vanilla Chai Truffles , to Spicy Hot Chocolate , to Sweet Pea and Mint Dip .

Snacks
Rate Recipe • 
 (0)
Sign in or create an account to rate this recipe
Select Stars → 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (loosely packed)
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/2-1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • Pinch of sea salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to food processor (I use a mini one)
  2. Blitz to desired consistency
  3. Enjoy!

Notes

Give a taste test and add more of what ever your taste buds desire

What's your go-to way to perk up a pasta or pizza? Let me know in the comments below!

20 Comments
Dawn   •   May 12, 2016

Going to try the pesto recipe! I make the raw cacao vegan balls all the time (surely a staple in our home). I miss your recipe videos - guessing you're very busy with your sweet baby these days!

Reply
Heather Allen   •   May 12, 2016

Lisa Locke   •   May 13, 2016

Hi Joy, I am a newbe to your website but I love your recipes. Was wondering if your book is available in Kindle edition? Lisa

Reply
Heather Allen   •   May 13, 2016

Connie   •   May 17, 2016

Your lemon basil pesto talks about basil but yet the recipe calls for spinach???

Reply
Heather Allen   •   May 17, 2016

Amy   •   March 4, 2017

Hi! This recipe sounds awesome - how long do you think it lasts in the fridge?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   March 4, 2017

Jill forester   •   June 14, 2017

Do you ever use hemp powder instead of hearts? Thanks! Xoxo

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   June 15, 2017

Angela Jakse   •   January 15, 2019

Is this freezable? I make Broccoli "pesto" and defrost when I make Banza pasta for my toddler!

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   January 15, 2019

Tammy   •   May 24, 2019

I’m unable to eat spinach ... can you suggest a replacement for that in this recipe?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   May 24, 2019

Anne Marie   •   May 25, 2019

My fave pizza is a gf crust topped with pesto (yours forever more) mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, garlic topped off with moz cheese. Once out of the oven a little crumble of goat cheese.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   May 25, 2019

Meg   •   August 19, 2019

I like that this doesn’t include pine nuts. Mostly because pine nuts are so much $$$$. Do you find this pesto tastes much different from traditional pesto?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   August 20, 2019

Elisa Echevarria   •   June 21, 2021

Any suggestion for a substitute for the hemp hearts?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   June 22, 2021

Post Comment

Say hi to Hello Joyous!

An organic, plant-based, sustainable beauty brand here to bring more joy to your day.