Pistachio Pesto Recipe
This pistachio pesto (aka basil pistachio pesto) is my go-to when I want a pesto that tastes bold and bright, not oily or one-note. The trick is pulsing the pistachios first so you get a little texture, then blending the herbs just until they’re chopped – this keeps the flavor fresh and the color vibrant.
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 939kcal
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup shelled & roasted pistachios (unsalted or salted)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves and small stems
- 3 medium garlic cloves
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 Tablespoons)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- pinch of black pepper
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor (or blender), pulse the pistachios until they're chopped into small pieces.
- Add the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, and pulse again until the mixture looks like coarse meal, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture looks well combined (there will still be finely chopped pieces of pistachios in your pesto), about 1 minute. Season to taste, adding more salt as needed.
- Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap so that it's touching the pesto (this will prevent it from turning brown), and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Video
Notes
- Storage: cover with plastic wrap and press down so that it touches the pesto, or drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top; this will prevent browning. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Keep it green: pulse pistachios/garlic first; add herbs next and blend just until chopped (over-blending heats the herbs and dulls the flavor/color).
- Freeze smarter: freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer them to a freezer bag so you can thaw the amount you need.
Nutrition
Calories: 939kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 92g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 63g | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 1009mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 6515IU | Vitamin C: 146mg | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 7mg
