
0 from 90 votes
Homemade Shiso Pesto
Homemade Shiso Pesto takes just 10 minutes to make and is one of the best ways to enjoy a bounty of fresh green shiso (perilla) leaves. Just like traditional basil pesto, this vegetarian-friendly recipe uses pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan or Romano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 1 jar
Calories: 811 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
- 1 oz shiso leaves (perilla/ooba) (30 leaves or 25 extra large leaves; you can substitute basil, arugula, baby spinach, kale, or parsley)
- 3 Tbsp pine nuts (1 oz, 30 g; toasted, preferably; you can substitute walnuts, cashews, or almonds)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 1 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese (a bit less than ⅓ cup if freshly grated; ¼ cup if pre-shredded)
- ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus a little bit more to cover the pesto in the final step)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients. If time allows, toast the pine nuts first in a non-greased pan for a few minutes until light brown and let cool.
- Place 1 oz shiso leaves (perilla/ooba), 3 Tbsp pine nuts, and 2 cloves garlic into the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse several times until smooth.
- Add 1 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Pulse several times more until incorporated.
- Add ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil. Note: I never had any issue adding the olive oil all at once. However, if you‘re concerned about emulsification, slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the food processor or blender still running.
- Process until smooth. Add a touch of extra oil, if required, to help it blend.
- Stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula and run again until the mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and freshly ground black pepper, if needed.
- Pour the pesto into a clean, sterlized jar. Cover the pesto with a thin layer of olive oil on top. Close the lid.
Cup of Yum
To Serve
- Use Homemade Shiso Pesto in any recipe that calls for traditional pesto. Try it in my Shiso Pesto Pasta recipe!
Cup of Yum
To Store
- Store in the refrigerator for 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months (could be longer).
Nutrition Information
Serving
1jar
Calories
811kcal
(41%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
83g
(128%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
16g
Monounsaturated Fat
47g
Cholesterol
25mg
(8%)
Sodium
996mg
(42%)
Potassium
242mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
256IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
332mg
(33%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1jar
Amount Per Serving
Calories 811
% Daily Value*
Serving | 1jar | |
Calories | 811kcal | 41% |
Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
Protein | 15g | 30% |
Fat | 83g | 128% |
Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 16g | 94% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 47g | 235% |
Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
Sodium | 996mg | 42% |
Potassium | 242mg | 5% |
Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 1g | 2% |
Vitamin A | 256IU | 5% |
Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
Calcium | 332mg | 33% |
Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.