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
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ 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.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Out of ideas to use this pesto? Here’s a Satisfying Salads board for inspiration!
Line
Just made it with basil from my garden you’re recipe is very good the best one I have made.
Tamara Valdiserri
Liz, this was amazing! My son can’t have pine nuts so I have always used sunflower seeds. This tasted so much better. My go to from now on especially when my garden is overflowing with basil. I add some to my cream sauce and it is delicious over pasta. It freezes well. Thank you for another fantastic recipe.
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed and yes it freezes great!!
february
Oh, 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
I’m so glad you loved it!
Susan
I 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
Yes we really are so grateful!!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish
Big fan of pistachios–and all sorts of nuts really :-) Love this creative twist on pesto! Must try soon.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you my friend! Have a great weekend!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
Homemade pesto is so yummy! Now I want to run to the store and get pistachios to try it!
Liz DellaCroce
You would love the vibrant color the pistachios add!
Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner
I 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
You really can’t go wrong adding lemon! ;)
Joanne
I feel the EXACT same way lately! So inspired by everything that is great about this season…especially pesto! Love this pistachio twist!
Liz DellaCroce
It really is the best time of year!!
Nicole
Oh, 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
I hope you love it!
Katie @Dishin & Dishes
I LOVE the idea of the pistachios! Great recipe!
Gaby
Such a beautiful color…yum!!!
Shawnna
Hey girl -This sounds really good!!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you try it and love it!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
Oooh 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
Girl it was so good!! You must try it on grilled corn!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
Pesto 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
You would love it like this Jamie!
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken
I love pistachios; never thought to add them in pesto. Genius! Can’t wait to try.
Liz DellaCroce
So much flavor and a nice twist from the traditional version!
Heather - Butter & Burlap
I’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
I was so impressed and pleased with the extra burst of green color!