Homemade Pesto (Without Pine Nuts)

This homemade pesto is the best way to use fresh basil in the summer! This recipe uses pecans instead of pine nuts for a simple twist on a classic pesto, but it can easily be made nut-free.

One of my favorite parts about having a summer garden is the abundance of fresh basil that inevitably gets turned into homemade pesto for pesto aioli, pesto pasta, and even a sauce for pita pizzas.

Recipe features

If you're new to making homemade pesto, here's what you need to know:

• Recipe time: Making homemade pesto is actually quick and easy to make. It takes just about 10 minutes, but it's quicker if you don't blanch the basil first.
• Equipment: Technically you can use a mortar and pestle, but a blender or food processor is the easiest way to go.
• Vivid green pesto: Blanching basil for pesto results in vivid green pesto instead of greenish-brown pesto. It sounds like a hassle, but it's completely worth it.
• Not quite nut-free: This recipe is made without pine nuts because I simply do not like the flavor and I prefer to use raw pecans or walnuts. You can omit nuts entirely for nut-free pesto.

Ingredients

• Basil: Italian large leaf basil and sweet basil are the most common variety of basil used for pesto and they are also the most common type of basil at the grocery store.
• Extra virgin olive oil: This contributes a lot of flavor to pesto, so choose EVOO with a flavor that you enjoy. Technically canola oil and other neutral oils can be used in pesto, but I think EVOO is worth the extra cost.
• Parmesan: A wedge of Parmesan has the best flavor, but shredded parmesan does work in a pinch. I often use a vegan Parmesan block to make dairy-free pesto.
• Pecans: This is not exactly a traditional pesto ingredient, but the nutty and rich flavor of pecans is a subtle addition to pesto. Raw walnuts are also a good option.
• Lemon juice is added for acidity and brightness. One medium lemon usually makes 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice.

How to make pesto

Blanch the basil

I know, it seems like an annoying extra step, but I promise that it's worth it!

Blanching greens helps them preserve their vivid green color and results in a much more aesthetically pleasing pesto. If you don't care about that, feel free to skip this step.

To blanch basil, simply add the greens to boiling water for no more than 10 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the basil to a large bowl filled with ice water.

Make the pesto

Don't add all of the pesto ingredients to the blender at once.

Start by adding the pecans, parmesan, garlic, and salt. Pulse to break down the pecans.

Add the basil and lemon juice. Turn the blender on medium speed. While it is on, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. This helps the pesto stays emulsified instead of separating.

Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Taste for salt, pepper, etc.

Storage and freezing

• Leftovers: Store leftover pesto in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezing: Pesto freezes well! Simply freeze in an airtight jar or freezer container for up to 3 months. Let the jar thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.

Cooking tips

Add extra greens

I love adding spinach or arugula to pesto. It's not exactly traditional, but it's a great way to make more pesto when you're short on basil. I usually do equal parts basil and spinach.

Why is my pesto bitter?

Pesto can be bitter when too much raw garlic is added. I recommend starting with just one clove of garlic and tasting the pesto before adding more.

How to store fresh basil

Basil is a finicky herb when it comes to storage. Whatever you do, don't store basil in the fridge!

Instead, treat it like a flower bouquet. Trim the ends from the basil stems and place in a jar with just enough water to cover the bottom 1-2 inches of the stems. The water shouldn't touch the leaves or they will become slimy. Store at room temp.

Serving ideas

• Pesto aioli is a delicious addition to gyros and wraps. It's also great as a dip with fries or roasted sweet potatoes.
• Pesto pasta: I usually combine 6 ounces of pesto with 8 ounces of cooked pasta. Add a splash of the water that the pasta was cooked in for a thinner sauce. Or combine with avocados to make avocado pesto pasta.
• Use as a sauce on potato bowls and roasted veggies.

Looking for more summer favorites?

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