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A bowl of walnut pesto sauce garnished with chopped walnuts and fresh basil leaves, next to a lemon wedge and a clove of garlic, on a rustic wooden surface.
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Walnut Pesto Recipe

This walnut pesto comes together lightning fast with toasted walnuts, a heroic amount of fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. 
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Total Time6 minutes
Course: sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 1.25 Cups
Calories: 1089kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $9

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 2 packed cups basil leaves
  • 1 packed cup parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ cup crushed ice

Instructions

  • Place the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir and flip the nuts frequently for 3-4 minutes until the nuts are fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and let cool fully.
  • Add the cooled walnuts to a food processor. Add the basil, parsley, oregano, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped and forms a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed so the mixture processes evenly.
  • 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. Taste and tweak the seasoning if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 1089kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 117g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 31g | Monounsaturated Fat: 67g | Sodium: 1868mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3mg