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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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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. 
  2. Place 1 oz shiso leaves (perilla/ooba), 3 Tbsp pine nuts, and 2 cloves garlic into the bowl of a food processor.
  3. Pulse several times until smooth.
  4. Add 1 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Pulse several times more until incorporated.
  6. 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.
  7. Process until smooth. Add a touch of extra oil, if required, to help it blend.
  8. 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.
  9. Pour the pesto into a clean, sterlized jar. Cover the pesto with a thin layer of olive oil on top. Close the lid.
To Serve
    Cup of Yum
  1. Use Homemade Shiso Pesto in any recipe that calls for traditional pesto. Try it in my Shiso Pesto Pasta recipe!
To Store
  1. 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.

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