Go Back
–+ servings
hands holding a bowl of pesto with a spoon in it, garlic cloves, basil leaves and lemon in the background

PESTO RECIPE WITHOUT PINE NUTS

Looking for a bold, flavourful Pesto Recipe Without Pine Nuts? This nut-free version is just as delicious—fresh, vibrant, and ready in minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 Cup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves* (no stems) packed
  • 2-3 Cloves Garlic*
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated
  • ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add to blender or food processor: basil, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice. Pulse until finely chopped.
    chopped basil, parmesan and garlic in the base of a food processor
  • With motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    olive oil pouring down the chute of a food processor with pesto without pine nuts inside
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust thickness with more oil or a splash of water if needed.
    pesto in a food processor with salt and pepper on top

Notes

Swap basil for half spinach or arugula if you're low on basil.
Start with 2 cloves of garlic, taste and add more if you love garlic.
Add ¼ cup sunflower seeds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), or almonds if you want some texture.
Add a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 1181kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 121g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 83g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 807mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2926IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 692mg | Iron: 3mg
QR Code linking back to recipe