Why is Pesto Not Vegan-Friendly? Reasons And Alternative.

Pesto is not always vegan because traditional pesto recipes typically contain parmesan cheese, which is made from animal milk. 

However, there are many vegan-friendly alternatives available that use plant-based ingredients instead.

To know more about what makes Pesto non-vegan-friendly and alternative ways to achieve that taste, keep reading this article.

Key Take Aways 

• Why Is Pesto Not Vegan-Friendly?
• Vegan Alternative Sauces to Pesto
• Alternative Vegan Pesto Recipies 

Why Is Pesto Not Vegan-Friendly?

Pesto is a popular Italian sauce made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. It is also a delicious and versatile condiment that adds flavor to a wide range of dishes. In addition to Parmesan, pesto recipes occasionally call for different kinds of cheese, such as Pecorino or Romano.

However, despite its widespread popularity, pesto is not considered vegan-friendly. One of its ingredient, Parmesan cheese, for example, is made from animal milk and often contains animal rennet.

As a result, their inclusion in pesto recipes makes the sauce even less compliant with vegan ideals. However, beyond the inclusion of parmesan cheese, there are other reasons why pesto is not vegetarian.

Animal Rennet:

An enzyme called rennet is frequently used in the cheese-making process to coagulate milk, helping the production of curds. 

Traditionally, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino, and Romano are made with animal rennet obtained from the stomach lining of young calves. This goes against veganism as it raises ethical concerns.

Animal-Derived Ingredients

Apart from parmesan cheese and animal rennet, pesto also contains anchovies or anchovy paste. 

Small saltwater fish known as anchovies are frequently added to classic pesto recipes to enhance the flavor. It runs counter to a vegan lifestyle. 

Vegan Pesto: Alternative to Cheese

Since the traditional pesto recipe isn’t very vegan-friendly, we can always add a twist to it. Simply by altering the parmesan cheese with other ingredients like vegan cheese, and nutritional yeast. 

The best part is you can make it at home, all you will need is a food processor. Here’s how you can do it- 

Source: Cookie and Kate

Vegan Cheese with Cashew

The ingredients you will need for Vegan Cashew Cheese are-

Instructions:

• Put all the ingredients into the food processor
• Finely mix/blend them together

This process should take you about 5 minutes. It’s freezer friendly too, so you could store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. But always consider using vegan cheese before it gets spoiled.   

For a video demonstration, you can check this Easy Vegan Pesto (5 minutes!) | Minimalist Baker Recipes out. 

Vegan Alternative Sauces to Pesto 

Source: Feasting At Home

Basil oil 

Normally, basil leaves are the reason why pesto is green. But you can use even use basil oil as a simple alternative to the traditional pesto.

It will taste similar to pesto but remain lighter in texture. Finely chopped basil leaves are blended with extra virgin olive oil to make basil oil. 

Other varieties of herb oils can be created utilizing parsley, mint, oregano, cilantro, or a combination of these. 

Here’s what you’ll need –

• A deep pan
• Food processor

Ingredients: 

Instructions: 

1. Take a boiling pot of water and blanch the basil leaves for 30 seconds.
2. Remove the blanched basil leaves and quickly put in in a bowl of ice water, wait until it cools.
3. Drain the water and lightly pat dry the basil leaves using paper towels.
4. In a food processor add the basil, olive oil, pepper, lemon, and salt.
5. Blend until a smooth paste is formed. 

This process should take you about 5 minutes. However, make sure to store it properly in the fridge for up to a week. You can freeze it with a thin layer of olive oil or lemon juice at the top. This is to prevent the color from turning. 

Spinach Pesto

Pesto recipes call for basil, but spinach is a mild and readily available ingredient. Spinach Pesto is ideal for when you need a bold and savory flavor. Here’s how you can make it –

Ingredients: 

Instructions: 

1. In a food processor add the spinach, garlic, pine nuts, pepper and salt.
2. Pulse until combined, drizzle olive oil in between each pulse.
3. Add Lemon, pepper, and salt.
4. Blend until a smooth paste is formed. 

This process should take you about 5 minutes. If you know how to cook canned spinach, you can use that as a substitute.

Store-Bought Vegan Pesto

So you don’t feel like cooking from scratch today. Don’t worry, many food companies develop vegan-friendly alternatives to traditional pesto. 

There are now numerous brands offering vegan pesto options made without any animal-derived ingredients. These products often use plant-based cheeses or nutritional yeast to mimic the flavors of traditional pesto. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line 

Pesto uses Parmesan cheese, which is produced using animal rennet, which is why pesto is not vegan-friendly. Additionally, some commercial brands or pesto recipes may include additional non-vegan components like anchovies or honey. However, those who live a vegan lifestyle can continue to enjoy the taste of pesto because vegan alternatives exist.

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Leah Greenstein

Leah Greenstein is a passionate food blogger who has dedicated her life to sharing her love for cooking with the world. Growing up in a family of foodies, Leah was introduced to the joys of cooking at a very young age. Her mother, a professional chef, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of using high-quality ingredients.

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