Plant-Based Pesto Spinach Dip Recipe (Healthy & Dairy-Free)

This recipe for raw pesto spinach dip was shared with us by Dr. Rebecca Ocean. She adapted it from Gabriel Cousins, Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine by Dr. Gabriel Cousins. Rebecca uses a higher ratio of greens than the original recipe. She also doesn’t usually blend the spinach and basil in, but you can for a smoother finish, if desired.

This recipe calls for a blend of macadamia and pine nuts, which are very soft and creamy nuts. You can substitute cashews or blanched almonds for one or both of the nuts, but I would soak them for 4 hours before blending.

Special Diet Notes: Plant-Based Pesto Spinach Dip

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, and paleo.

Plant-Based Pesto Spinach Dip

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

I prefer this dip with a high greens to cream ratio. And I love that all items can be purchased at Trader Joe's for easy, economical shopping. Please note that the Prep time is hands-on time only. Allow time for the pine nuts to soak, and for the dip to chill.

Author: Dr. Rebecca Ocean

Recipe type: Appetiser

Cuisine: American

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

4 cups baby spinach, chopped
½ cup fresh basil leaves, cut with kitchen scissors or chopped
⅔ cup macadamia nuts
½ cup pine nuts, soaked in water for 1 hour or more and drained
3 to 4 tablespoons garlic olive oil or extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon celtic or himalayan salt
For dipping: baby carrots, celery, snap peas, mushrooms, sliced red pepper, cauliflower, and/or raw seed or multigrain crackers

Instructions

Toss the spinach and basil together in a large bowl.
Add the macadamia nuts, pine nuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to a food processor (with S-blade) or blender. Blend until thick and creamy.
Pour the mixture over the greens and mix well. If preferred, you can blend the ingredients together.
Cover and let the dip sit in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Mix it again before serving.
Serve with your choice of vegetables and/or crackers.