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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Sauces & Savory Condiments

    Published: Aug 13, 2020 · Modified: May 16, 2024 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Basil Walnut Pesto

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Pesto made with walnuts and basil in a white dish with a gold spoon resting ona wooden surface with a white towel and fresh basil leaves nearby
    green pesto sauce in a white dish with a gold spoon resting in the dish, a bundle of fresh basil and a white towel on the table next to the dish
    green basil pesto made with walnuts in a light colored dish resting on a wooden surface
    pinch bowls and spoons containing ingredients for basil walnut pesto resting on a wooden table

    pesto sauce made with walnuts and basil in a white dish with a white twel underneatha nd a few fresh basil leaves resting nearby

    A year-round staple worth adding to your menu

    Having a solid pesto recipe in your back pocket is worth its weight in gold. Pesto is easy to make, requires few ingredients, and is marvelously complementary in a vast number of dishes. This Basil Walnut Pesto recipe is my go-to when I'm in need of a little pesto magic. Loaded with classic pesto staples: fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper, this pesto is complemented by walnuts which lend an earthy creaminess, lemon which brightens and opens the flavor profile, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to add a tiny boost of spice.

    Whether you're plucking the basil straight out of your garden in the summer or relying on your local grocery to stock the green herb in the cooler months, this Basil Walnut Pesto can be made in 5-minutes or less and is a year-round staple worth adding to your menu.

    the ingredients for basil walnut pesto sauce resting on a wooden surface in containers

    How to use Basil Walnut Pesto

    • Drizzle over the top of a Caprese salad or this Strawberry Peach Summer Salad
    • Drizzled on top of roasted vegetables or potatoes - swap out the chimichurri for pesto on these Smashed Potatoes
    • Swirled into hummus or this Easy Labneh Cheese
    • Stir it into mayo for a tasty dipping sauce for Pressure Cooker Artichokes
    • Add to eggs. It's wonderful drizzled on fried and scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas - Add a few dollops to a Kitchen Sink Frittata prior to baking or after it's pulled out of the oven
    • In pasta - choose your favorite noodle and once cooked, stir in a healthy measure of pesto and top with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese. It's also particularly lovely rippled into alfredo, bechamel, and white cheddar pasta sauces
    • In rice or risotto - add the same way you'd use it in pasta
    • Mix it into creamy salad dressings or vinaigrettes and dress your salad greens
    • Add a measure to potato salad for an extra herby kick
    • Drizzle on top of grilled chicken or shrimp
    • Swirl into creamy polenta and top with your choice of protein
    • Use as a tasty pizza sauce instead of or in addition to tomato
    • Bake it directly into bread for a tasty flavor swirl
    • Spread on top of toast, baguette, or flatbread and top with fresh or blistered tomatoes
    • It also makes a wonderful addition to sandwiches - spread directly on sandwich bread or swirl it into mayo for a creamy pesto mayo
    a white cloth, a dish of basil walnut pesto sauce, and a bundle of fresh basil on a wooden surface
    a closeup of pesto made with basil and walnuts in a natural stoneware dish with a white cloth and fresh basil leaves resting next to the dish

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A food processor or high-powered blender
    • A cutting board
    • A chefs knife
    • A citrus zester and a citrus juicer
    • Measuring cups and measuring spoons

    A note for special diets

    This Basil Walnut Pesto is grain-free, gluten-free, low-lactose, and friendly for low-carb, keto, low-FODMAP, and vegetarian diets.

    a gold spoon resting in a dish of basil walnut pesto sauce with a white cloth and fresh basil resting ona wooden surface next to it
    basil walnut pesto in a stoneware dish with a gold spoon resting in the pesto, a piece of cheesecloth and basil surround the dish
    Print
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    pesto sauce made with walnuts and basil in a white dish with a white twel underneatha nd a few fresh basil leaves resting nearby

    Basil Walnut Pesto

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cup
    • Category: Sauces & Savory Condiments
    • Method: Food Processor
    • Cuisine: Italian
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Whether you're plucking the basil straight out of your garden in the summer or relying on your local grocery to stock the green herb in the cooler months, this fodmap-friendly Basil Walnut Pesto can be made in 5-minutes or less and is a year-round staple worth adding to your menu.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups (78g) basil, firmly packed
    • ½ cup (106g) extra virgin olive oil - OR - for those following a low-FODMAP diet you can use garlic-infused olive oil
    • 3 garlic cloves (omit for low-FODMAP)
    • ⅓ cup (40g) walnuts, chopped
    • ⅓ cup (30g) shredded parmesan cheese
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
    • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
    • zest of 1 lemon + 1 tsp of lemon juice


    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients, except for the olive oil to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse for about 1 minute, until ingredients are mostly broken down and gravelly.
    • With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream, pulsing until combined and desired smoothness is achieved.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 tbsp
    • Calories: 172
    • Sodium: 205 mg
    • Fat: 18 g
    • Saturated Fat: 3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 1 g
    • Fiber: 1 g
    • Protein: 3 g
    • Cholesterol: 3 mg

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