5 from 102 votes
Almond Pesto
Almond Pesto combines toasted almonds, fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese into a medium-thick paste with olive oil. The texture is slightly coarse from ground almonds, delivering a nutty base that complements the herbaceous basil and savory cheese. This versatile pesto can be blended by food processor or made traditionally with mortar and pestle, delivering fresh green sauce for pasta, spreading, or seasoning.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
16
servings
Calories:
114 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- ½ c almonds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 c basil
- 1 c Parmesan Cheese 3 oz, grated
- ½ c olive oil or up to ¾ cup
Instructions
- Add almonds and salt to a small food processor and blend until it is the almonds are fine crumbs, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides if needed. (Approx 3 minutes) *See notes for mortar and pestle instructions.
- Add in garlic cloves and pulse a few times, then add basil, a half cup first, pulsing until shredded, then add the remaining ½ cup.
- Add in olive oil and finely grated parmesan and pulse until you reach desired consistency. This should be a medium thick paste.
- Use immediately or place in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring back to room temperature before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Wait until herbs are thoroughly chopped before adding olive oil and Parmesan for best texture and flavor blending.
- To prepare by hand, use a mortar and pestle to grind almonds and garlic before adding basil and cheese, then mix in oil last.
- Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving to improve texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
114kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
169mg
(7%)
Potassium
50mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
212IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
87mg
(9%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 114
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 114kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 169mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 50mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 212IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 87mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.