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The World’s Healthiest Pesto

Filed Under: Almond Milk, Avocado, Condiments and Spreads, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb, No Bake, Paleo, Recipe Makeover, Recipes, Sugar Free, Under 50, Vegan

By Kelly M 33 Comments Jump to Recipe

I think this is my new favorite recipe. But shhh… it’s got a secret ingredient.

Do not take this stuff lightly, folks. This pesto is completely oil free, life-altering, and is not to be missed.

So what’s the big deal, you ask? It’s just a green paste you spread on stuff! Yes, but this is a special green paste. A green paste so creamy and delicious and healthy and versitale and unique that you’ll just want to dive into a pool of it and eat your way out.

So what’s the secret ingredient? What’s so life-alteringly important?

Alright, I’ll tell you. But you most come closer. Closer.

It’s avocado.

It’s true! Think about it. The purpose of oil in traditional pesto is texture and creaminess, and I needed a healthy substitute. So what is the healthiest, creamiest, most texturally-delightful food I could think of? Avocado!

It’s got loads of healthy fats and, at less than 1/4 of the calories of olive oil, it is quite the nutritional bargain. And it tastes soooooo good.

Seriously, after my first spoonful of this pesto I almost cried. And then I happy danced. Then I took another spoonful. The I took more spoonfuls than I’m wiling to admit.

This is hands down the creamiest pesto I’ve ever had. Plus, it was super-duper easy to make. All it takes is a whirl in the food processor and you’ve got yourself a one way ticket to pesto happyland.

Oh, and since apparently shoveling pesto into your mouth is not considered “dinner,” I tossed some of the pesto with roasted veggies and arranged it all pretty-like on an egg. Hit it with some grated cheese and I was ready to go!

The pesto itself is vegan, low carb, low calorie, and oil free, so you can use it however you like/need. If you need another reason to make this pesto, check out this page for some health benefits of avocado.

I say this because I love you. Please don’t make this one of those recipes you pin/bookmark/write down/promise yourself you’re going to remember then don’t. This is one of those recipes you actually make, and then make time and time again.

See you in the kitchen! (I’m there in spirit.)

Pesto Pinterest

World’s Healthiest Pesto

This pesto makes me smile, and when I think of all the possibilities of how to use it, I smile even more. How will you serve your pesto? Tossed with grain free pasta? Or roasted veggies? Spread on a bagel or in a tortilla? Be inspired and let your imagination run wild. Please let me know what concoctions you create!

Inspired by Angela

Makes about 1/2 cup pesto

Nutritional Comparison

Traditional Pesto Sauce

Serving size: 1 Tablespoon

Calories: 80

Fat: 7.51

vs.

The World’s Healthiest Pesto

Serving size: 1 Tablespoon

Calories: ~20

Fat: ~2 grams

Ingredients

1/2 medium avocado, pitted and mashed

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

salt, to taste

1-2 Tablespoons almond milk, as needed

Directions

In a food processor, blend the mashed avocado and lemon juice until smooth, stopping to scrape down as needed. Add in minced garlic and basil and blend until smooth. Be patient as this should take a few minutes, but you will be rewarded with super smooth and creamy pesto. If you need to add a tablespoon or two of almond milk to help the blending along, you should do so at this step. Salt to taste, serve as you wish, or simply enjoy off a spoon!

 

Just don’t eat the whole batch out of the food processor bowl. Does that sound easy? It is much harder to do than one might think. Believe me.

Enjoy!

-Kelly M.

 

 

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Filed Under: Almond Milk, Avocado, Condiments and Spreads, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb, No Bake, Paleo, Recipe Makeover, Recipes, Sugar Free, Under 50, Vegan

About Kelly M

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Comments

  1. Tracy Lynn says

    August 4, 2012 at 4:10 am

    THAT IS AWESOME!! I'm totally going to make this for my next pasta dish.....been trying to think of new things to do with avocados....passing this on to my mom as well. Thanks girl.....I love your ideas.
    Reply
    • Ellen says

      March 19, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      This sounds really great, but if there's no oil, how come they make and sell Avocado Oil? ----from avocados.
      Reply
  2. Bek @ Crave says

    August 4, 2012 at 6:08 am

    Oh this is neat! I like how inventive you are with recipes. I'll have to try this :)
    Reply
  3. Alaine @ My GF & DF Living says

    August 4, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I love the idea of using avocados in a pesto sauce! I have only use pine nuts or walnuts with basil before so this will be a great alternative.
    Reply
  4. Frankie says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    This recipe is amazing, so much better than normal oily pesto! Thanks for creating this:)
    Reply
  5. JenJett says

    July 7, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    I still like to have a bit of crunch in my pesto so I added some almonds... Super awesomely tasty!!!! You ROCK!
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      July 10, 2013 at 10:18 am

      YOU rock!
      Reply
  6. Tiffany says

    January 31, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    This recipe sounds awesome.. How long can it last in the fridge?
    Reply
  7. Heather says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    Kelly! You wonderful human being! I'm on a calorie cutting diet and was getting so bored of non flavoursome food. I wanted to make some pesto to help my boring meals... And was going to use coconut oil. For some reason can't find any where I am and was frantically trying to find substitutes. Your recipe had made my day, I love avocados so this is just the greatest idea! Thanks again, I'm saving your website for future reference.
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      June 16, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      You're so kind Heather. Thank you, and welcome!
      Reply
  8. Mary Beard says

    April 7, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    Excellent pesto. I made it with shrimp and pasta...fantastic. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      April 12, 2014 at 8:43 am

      So glad you enjoyed this Mary!
      Reply
  9. Kim Handysides says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Made this for dinner tonight with steamed veggies (broc, cauli, carrot & zucc's) and tossed with brown rice pasta. Best no oil vegan pasta we've ever made! Thanks.
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      July 19, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      I'm so happy you enjoyed this Kim!
      Reply
  10. Emily says

    March 11, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    Two weeks ago at the tender age of hmmm shall we say "somewhat older than 21", I discovered pesto for the first time while eating out. And life became a little brighter. Then I came across this pesto, and as I am on a mission to fundraise by becoming smaller and fitter decided to give it a try. Wow! My tastebuds are in love with you and my soon to reappear waistline will worship you. I'll never go back to the regular stuff. Thank you so much
    Reply
    • Foodie Fiasco says

      February 23, 2016 at 5:15 pm

      Hi Emily, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Pesto is one of my favorites too :)
      Reply
  11. Julia Mazzucato says

    May 31, 2015 at 11:23 am

    Kelly, you genius! I made a small portion of this today: using about 1/4 cup basil, 1/8 avocado, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp garlic, 1 tbsp cashewmilk, and a pinch of salt. I got about 1/4 cup of delicious, creamy pesto! It's seriously the best. I never even realized how unhealthy traditional pesto was until I read the ingredients- I always thought that since it was green, it was good for you! haha Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
    Reply
  12. Jim Redfield says

    July 3, 2015 at 6:56 am

    Can you freeze this avocado pesto?
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      August 1, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Yes!
      Reply
  13. Nancy says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Can you tell me the number of servings the nutrition info is based on. The recipe states yield is one cup, but the nutrition info does not state the serving size. Thanks for your help! ~Nancy
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      August 22, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      hi Nancy! the serving size is one tablespoon. xo
      Reply
    • Nina Woythaler says

      August 22, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Serving size: 1 Tablespoon Calories: ~20 Fat: ~2 grams Enjoy! xoxo
      Reply
  14. Aliya says

    December 1, 2015 at 4:20 am

    I am going to make this as soon as I get home from work. I was looking for something to flavour zuchini noodles - this will be perfection!
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      December 28, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Please let me know how it goes! xo
      Reply
  15. Gypsy says

    January 31, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Hi, I am the odd man out here or there is something terribly wrong with my taste buds. To much lemon for me...not crazy about it at all!! Sorry!!
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      August 1, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      I'm so sorry Gypsy! If you did decide to give this another go, I think using only half the lemon would fix it. :)
      Reply
  16. Chelsea DeRose says

    July 29, 2016 at 7:05 am

    Will this taste bad if I heat it up and throw it in with pasta?
    Reply
    • Kelly M says

      August 1, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      Nope, I think that would be lovely!
      Reply
  17. Jeanie says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    I've been looking for a recipe just like this! It looks gorgeous, can't wait to try it! Huge fan of avocado and I won't feel guilty about eating all of it in one sitting haha
    Reply

Trackbacks

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    November 21, 2012 at 5:05 am
    [...] With the world’s healthiest pesto made with avocados (thanks Foodie Fiasco!) [...]
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    October 21, 2015 at 8:02 am
    […] this salad have a deliciously-zesty flavor! The pesto is avocado-based and oil free, inspired by Foodie Fiasco, and has only 20 calories per tablespoon. Crazy, I know. This pasta salad is wonderful to bring […]
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