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A bowl of pistachio pesto sauce garnished with pistachios, surrounded by fresh basil leaves, a lemon, and a garlic bulb on a rustic wooden surface.
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5 from 1 vote

Pistachio Pesto Recipe

Buttery pistachios, plenty of fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil result in something magical that is perfectly happy to boss around pasta, roasted veggies, or a thick slice of bread, any day of the week.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 1.5 Cups
Calories: 669kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $10

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the pistachios in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir and flip the nuts frequently for 3-4 minutes until the nuts are fragrant and very lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate and let cool fully.
  • Add the cooled pistachios to a food processor. Add the basil, arugula, garlic, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped and begins to form a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to keep the mixture moving evenly through the blades.
  • With the machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream so the mixture emulsifies and becomes smooth.
  • Add the ice and process again until the sauce loosens to a spoonable consistency. Scrape the sides of the bowl once more and process briefly to ensure an even texture. Taste and tweak the seasoning if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 669kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 45g | Sodium: 1558mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 313IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg