A delicious twist on the Italian classic, your family will love this Lemony Basil Pistachio Pesto. Serve on pasta, drizzle over meat or use as a salad dressing!
Summer food is so easy, so flavorful and so healthy! I love everything about it. Every week when I visit my local farmers market I come home with new energy, excitement and inspiration for cooking seasonally.
Of course, you probably already gathered that based on the endless Instagram and SnapChat photos I post whenever I visit the Fulton Street Farmers Market. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Michigan produce!
In addition to all of the fresh fruits and vegetables overflowing each stall at the market, I am also inundated with fresh herbs. Who can resist a gorgeous bunch of fragrant basil? I certainly can’t. As soon as I got home I couldn’t wait to whip up a batch of pesto to stock my freezer.
Traditionally I use pine nuts but this time I decided to give it a fun spin by using pistachios. The sweet and flavorful nuts provide an incredibly rounded flavor that balances perfectly with the sharp cheese, spicy garlic and bright lemon juice.
Spread on corn on the cob, toss into warm pasta or drizzle over grilled meats and fish. Summer is here my friends! Soak it up.
Your fork is waiting.
Basil Pistachio Pesto
Ingredients
- 3 ounces fresh basil about 2 cups
- 2 ounces Diamond of California Shelled Pistachios
- 1 ounce grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 juice and zest of lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place the first seven ingredients in a high speed food processor and pulse a couple times to start breaking down the pesto.
- With the processor on high speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Puree until smooth and creamy.
- Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Out of ideas to use this pesto? Here’s a Satisfying Salads board for inspiration!
Follow The Lemon Bowl | Liz Della Croce’s board Satisfying Salad Recipes on Pinterest.
february
January 22, 2019 at 4:26 amOh, this is really delicious ! You’re right – it tastes great on everything! Was so tired of pesto and we have sooooo much basil!Thank you
Liz DellaCroce
January 26, 2019 at 2:16 pmI’m so glad you loved it!
Susan
July 27, 2015 at 7:00 pmI really envy you your farmers markets. You are right to be excited about your local produce. I wish we could have such a great market here in the desert.
Liz DellaCroce
July 28, 2015 at 7:56 amYes we really are so grateful!!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish
July 17, 2015 at 9:50 amBig fan of pistachios–and all sorts of nuts really :-) Love this creative twist on pesto! Must try soon.
Liz DellaCroce
July 17, 2015 at 5:49 pmThank you my friend! Have a great weekend!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
July 16, 2015 at 10:55 pmHomemade pesto is so yummy! Now I want to run to the store and get pistachios to try it!
Liz DellaCroce
July 17, 2015 at 5:50 pmYou would love the vibrant color the pistachios add!
Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner
July 16, 2015 at 10:47 pmI love pesto with lemon! I actually posted a lemon basil pesto on my site a few weeks ago. Well, you know what they say: Great minds put similar ingredients into their pestos ;) Haha! Thanks for sharing; this looks delicious! :D
Liz DellaCroce
July 17, 2015 at 5:50 pmYou really can’t go wrong adding lemon! ;)
Joanne
July 16, 2015 at 9:56 pmI feel the EXACT same way lately! So inspired by everything that is great about this season…especially pesto! Love this pistachio twist!
Liz DellaCroce
July 17, 2015 at 5:50 pmIt really is the best time of year!!
Nicole
July 16, 2015 at 5:18 pmOh, I’m sure this pesto is bursting with bright flavor! I love that you used pistachios. I’ll have to give that a try.
Liz DellaCroce
July 17, 2015 at 5:51 pmI hope you love it!
Katie @Dishin & Dishes
July 16, 2015 at 3:40 pmI LOVE the idea of the pistachios! Great recipe!
Gaby
July 16, 2015 at 1:12 pmSuch a beautiful color…yum!!!
Shawnna
July 16, 2015 at 12:16 pmHey girl -This sounds really good!!
Liz DellaCroce
July 16, 2015 at 3:16 pmI hope you try it and love it!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
July 16, 2015 at 11:47 amOooh this sounds SO good. Love traditional pesto, but PISTACHIO pesto!? Yes, please! And spreading it on grilled corn? LOVE. Pinning for future dinners definitely!
Liz DellaCroce
July 16, 2015 at 3:16 pmGirl it was so good!! You must try it on grilled corn!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
July 16, 2015 at 8:44 amPesto is one of my favorite things to make in the summer and although I love pistachios, I’ve never added them to my pesto – genius!
Liz DellaCroce
July 16, 2015 at 3:17 pmYou would love it like this Jamie!
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken
July 16, 2015 at 8:42 amI love pistachios; never thought to add them in pesto. Genius! Can’t wait to try.
Liz DellaCroce
July 16, 2015 at 3:17 pmSo much flavor and a nice twist from the traditional version!
Heather - Butter & Burlap
July 16, 2015 at 8:41 amI’ve been experimenting with different types of pesto recipes and I love the thought of pistachios! Looks so bright and flavorful! Can’t wait to try this one, and definitely stocking the freezer with it, too!
Liz DellaCroce
July 16, 2015 at 3:17 pmI was so impressed and pleased with the extra burst of green color!