Is Pesto Vegan?

Traditional basil pesto isn't vegan because it includes Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino cheeses, both made from dairy. Fortunately, an increasing number of producers now offer vegan-friendly pestos. These alternatives often use nutritional yeast or other plant-based ingredients to mimic the savoury, cheesy flavour.

Dairy is just one reason pesto isn't vegan

Traditional basil pesto contains Pecorino Fiore Sardo and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses made from sheep's milk and cow's milk, respectively. Some budget brands substitute these expensive cheeses for generic hard cheese, but they will almost always be made from dairy and, therefore, not vegan.

Never mind vegan, pesto isn't even vegetarian!

Interestingly, pesto isn't vegetarian, either. For these cheeses to retain their protected designation of origin (PDO) status, European Union law dictates that they must be made using rennet, an enzyme found in a calf's stomach lining.

You can use cheese substitutes to make vegan-friendly pesto sauces

With the rise of plant-based eating, more and more vegan pestos are hitting the market, some of which taste surprisingly like the real thing. Rather than simply omitting the cheese, they often contain tofu or nutritional yeast, which naturally has a cheesy, umami flavour and is packed with vitamins.

How to make vegan pesto

Follow the instructions for our ultimate pesto recipe; replace the cheese with nutritional yeast, and you'll have a vegan pesto to rival anything available in shops.