Fresh Basil Pesto
Toasting the nuts first gives this bright green pesto a warm, rounded undertone. The food processor turns them into a smooth paste before the herbs go in, so the sauce stays lively and lush.

Recipe link
Prep time15 min
Cook time5 min
Total time20 MINUTES
- Course
- Condiments
- Cuisine
- Italian, Vegetarian
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Est. calories / serving
- 72
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil (lightly packed)
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted)
- 1 tablespoon walnuts (toasted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (coarse, freshly cracked)
Instructions
Instructions
- Toast the Nuts: Heat the pine nuts and walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant. Allow them to cool slightly.2 tbsp pine nuts, 1 tbsp walnuts
- Blend the Nuts: Add the toasted nuts to a food processor. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until a smooth, butter-like paste forms.toasted nuts, ⅓ cup olive oil
- Add the Herbs: Add the basil, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.1 cup basil, 2 tbsp parsley, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp lemon juice
- Season the Pesto: Add the kosher salt and black pepper. Pulse a few more times and taste, adjusting the seasoning if needed.½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Serve or Store: Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container. Pour a thin layer of olive oil over the surface before refrigerating to help preserve its bright green color.
Notes
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the nuts deepens their flavor and gives the pesto a richer, more complex taste.
- Don't Overprocess: Blend just until smooth. Overprocessing can warm the basil and dull its fresh flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
- Serving Suggestions: Toss with pasta, spread on sandwiches, spoon over grilled vegetables, swirl into soups, or use as a pizza sauce.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
About 1 cup pesto — Serving size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories
- 72
- Carbohydrates
- 1 g
- Protein
- 1 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Saturated Fat
- 1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 5 g
- Cholesterol
- 0 mg
- Sodium
- 74 mg
- Potassium
- 42 mg
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Total Sugars
- 0 g
- Vitamin A
- 485 IU
- Vitamin C
- 3 mg
- Calcium
- 18 mg
- Iron
- 0.4 mg
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Small skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Airtight storage container