Skip the nuts, not the flavor. This nut free pesto sauce is packed with flavor and full of garden fresh goodness. It's perfect on pasta, pizza, poultry and veggies.
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Nut Free Pesto
I finally nailed THE PERFECT PESTO recipe! Over the years, I have tried several different recipe and I am kind of surprised that my favorite recipe happens to be the one that has no nuts!
I always try and make my recipes produce focused, and super simple and this nut free basil pesto is no exception. The reason I love it so much is that with the nuts removed, the flavor of the basil really grabs you and keeps you coming back for more.
Could this be the the perfect pesto? Give it a try and let me know!
What is pesto?
Simply speaking, Pesto is an Italian "paste" made from garlic, basil, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. The word pesto actually means "to pound" because traditionally, it was made with a mortar and pestle. If you have a little extra time on your hands and are interested in making it the traditional way, here is a video showing you how!
But today, I am going to show you a little shortcut on how to make it with your food processor.
Ingredients
To make this quick and easy pesto, you will need:
- Basil
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
The key to success with this recipe is quality ingredients. You really need to take care to use the best of the best! Make sure your basil is extra fresh, choose lush green leaves without spotting. Make sure they aren't limp. For the olive oil, I LOVE Filippo Berio! When it comes to the Parmesan cheese, choose a block that you can freshly grate right before making this. Do NOT use the powdered kind! (Please!)
Making this recipe is super simple, just put everything into your food processor and hit the grind button until everything is well incorporated. I just got this little 4 cup food processor from Cuisinart and absolutely love it. When I make this recipe, I pulse the chop button a few times before hitting the grind button.
That's it! It really is that easy! Just wait until you try it, once you taste it and see how easy it is to make you will never buy another pre-made jar at the store again!
How To Use Pesto Sauce
One of my favorite things about this nut free pesto sauce is it's versatility. You can double or triple the batch and use it all week in various ways. You can use pesto sauce on:
- Pasta
- Chicken
- Fish
- Bread
- Veggies
- Pizza
Storage
Store this sauce in an airtight container and keep covered for up to a week. Don't be alarmed if your pesto turns a bit brown. That is part of oxidation. It may not be as fresh and vibrant looking as it was when you first made it, but it will still be good to eat and will still taste great! Some people say that blanching the leaves before you start the recipe helps with it turning brown, but I think you can leave that step out as it didn't make much of a difference when I tried it.
How to freeze homemade pesto
Alternatively, you can freeze this sauce in an ice cube tray to thaw individual servings as needed. Simply place the sauce in an ice cube tray until frozen. Once frozen, remove from the tray and transport into a freezer bag. When you are ready to use them, pull out the amount needed and thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to use it. This technique is ideal if you have a home garden and need to use up a surplus of basil.
Pesto without basil
To make pesto without basil, simply swap out the required amount of basil and replace with another leafy green. If you do not care for basil, you can try using Kale or spinach for a slightly different, but equally delicious flavor. You can use Kale or Spinach pesto the same way you would use traditional Basil Pesto.
What can I substitute for parmesan cheese in pesto
I highly prefer Parmesan for this recipe, but if you aren't a fan...don't worry. You can still make this recipe by replacing the Parmesan Cheese for Gruyere, Asiago, Romano, or Cotija. Changing the cheese will have a major impact on the flavor, but as long as you choose something you love then you will be happy with the result.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
What wine goes well with pesto sauce? When it comes to pairing wine with pesto sauce, you can't go wrong with a Sauvignon Blanc. That bright zippy finish cuts right through the intense garlic flavor and it's one of those pairings that has you wanting to take a sip after each bite.
So if you are in a hurry, and need to pick something quick...head to the Sauvignon Blanc section of your favorite wine seller and grab a bottle.
Here are some other recommendations:
- Good: Heritance 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) - $18 - This wine has a bold acidity to balance out the pesto and is also lovely by the glass after the meal is done.
- Better: Domain Laporte 2017 La Grand Rachoy At 94 points for $31 this wine is an extraordinary steal!
- Best: Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis 2018 - $31 - This Italian white is perfect for pesto not only because they are both Italian, but it's got a strong lingering finish
- Local Choice (Michigan): Domain Berrien Cellars has several wines I am very familiar with on their menu that would be excellent choices. They are an estate winery, which means they grow all their own grapes and their wine list is ever changing. Check out their website and keep an eye out for their Sauvignon Blanc and their stainless processed Rhone varietals. The stainless Marsanne would be lovely with pesto!
Nut Free Pesto
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Wash the basil and remove the stems.
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have reached desired consistency.
- Serve over pasta, pizza, chicken or veggies. This sauce can also be used as a marinade.
Nutrition
Let me know what you think in the comments? Tell me what your favorite variation of classic pesto is?
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Anna says
It's so delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
phyllis hanratty says
This looks really good, I love how there no nuts in it.My 5 year old grandaughter loves Pesto, Thank you
Renee says
Can you store this?
Mary Ellen says
Does it freeze well. I made it once and it was very good but couldn’t use all of it.
Janine says
How long does this stay good? Can you freeze it?
Pat Oglesby says
I made this nut free pesto. It smells wonderful. I can’t wait to use it. Will visit your other recipes also.
Linda Blalock says
This pesto is amazing and pops with the wonderful basil flavor. I don’t miss the nuts at all!
Karen says
Hi Mary Ellen! YES! In fact, I just harvested a bunch from my garden. Try using an ice cube tray to freeze, then you can thaw just what you need each time!
Karen says
Hi Janine! This recipe will last up to a week when properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Sometimes, the color shifts a bit brown and this can be minimized by storing with a little extra oil on top. It's still good to eat and will taste great just won't be BRIGHT green like the pictures. Yes, I make a big batch of this recipe when my basil is in bloom and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, I remove the cubes and store in a freezer bag. That way I can take out a cube and add it to eggs or a few cubes to add to pasta!
Louise says
This pesto is absolutely wonderful! I love the fact there is no nuts in it! Will it freeze?🥶
Karen says
Hi Louise! Yes, it freezes wonderfully. I like to freeze mine in ice cube trays and use as needed. Enjoy!
Katie says
I have tried last night half my pesto sauce mixed with Alfredo sauce. Added shrimp, artichoke hearts, onions, and with meat tortellini. Served with fried green tomatoes,
This recipe for nut free pesto is the best recipe I found for pesto! 😊
Karen says
Oh my goodness that sounds FANTASTIC! (Recipe idea!) I am glad you love the recipe, it is my favorite too. It is a staple around here! I had it with eggs this morning and dipped veggies in it for lunch!
Jodi says
being highly allergic to nuts, it's always difficult to find a pesto made without them. I grow my own basil, so this recipe was PERFECT!!!!
Karen says
So glad to hear Jodi! I am allergic, too. I always love to find tree nut free recipes to share!
Alexandra says
Served with pasta and it made the most delicious dinner!
Deb Dorocak says
Why have I never made pesto before!?! Great recipe made two quick batches using one froze the other. Put in an extra clove of garlic was perfect for me.
Karen says
I am ALWAYS down for extra garlic!
Nancy says
Wow - best pesto ever, hands down. Will never buy the store stuff again. I don't know why I thought making pesto was difficult and was surprised how quick it was to make. Great suggestions too!
Carolyn says
Do you pack the basil into the cup or just put in loosely? Can you use the blossoms too?
Karen says
Hi Carolyn! Yes! You can use the blossoms too, before they seed. Yum! As far as the quantity, you can pack or measure loosely depending on how thick or thin you like your pesto. It is a very forgiving recipe and the measurements can be adjusted to suit your taste. Thanks for stopping by - can't wait to see what you make with it!
Karen says
Thank you so much Nancy!
Melody says
I don’t have a food processor machine? Can I use a Nutrabullet? Or regular blender? Thank you
Karen says
Yes! Be careful not to over blend. Use the pulse setting just until your desired consistency is reached.
illy STINKY BINKY says
this was absolutely delish! i made this dish for me and my 9 kids and they all loved it even the dog did
I would really recommend this if a kid in the family has a nut allergy
Molly says
Wonderful recipe! Made it using a mortar and pestle and the flavor was bold and herby. My whole family loved it. Looking forward to having it tomorrow morning on a bagle with cream cheese and a slice of tomato.
Michelle says
Thinking about canning this - do you think we would be able to do that? My go-to is dunking the jars for 10 mins in boiling water to seal. Wondering if you think that would work for this recipe?
Karen says
Canning fresh basil pesto is not recommended due to the low acidity of the ingredients, which can create a risk for botulism. While you can store pesto in the fridge for a week or freeze it for longer shelf life, proper canning requires high-acid foods or specific recipes designed for safety.
If you’d like to preserve your pesto, consider freezing it in ice cube trays for easy portions, or you can also store it in jars topped with a layer of olive oil in the fridge. This helps keep it fresh and flavorful!