Walnut Pesto Recipe

Fresh basil leaves: These give the pesto its bright, herbal flavor and fresh aroma.

Toasted walnuts: Adds a rich, nutty taste and a bit of crunch to the pesto.

Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty, savory depth that balances the herbs and nuts.

Minced garlic: Gives the pesto a little kick and enhances all the other flavors.

Olive oil: Helps blend everything together smoothly and adds a fruity richness.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy note that keeps the pesto lively.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together.

Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and a bit of spice to finish the pesto.

One of the coolest parts of making this Walnut Pesto is adding the olive oil and lemon juice slowly while the food processor is running. Here’s how to do it so your pesto turns out super smooth and creamy:

1. Start the food processor with the basil, toasted walnuts, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic already chopped up.
2. While the blades are spinning, pour the olive oil in a thin, steady stream. Don’t dump it all at once! This helps the oil mix evenly with the other ingredients.
3. Add the lemon juice the same way, slowly and carefully, so it blends in without making the mixture separate or watery.

Doing it this way makes the pesto creamy and smooth instead of chunky or oily. If you pour the oil too fast, the pesto might not come together well, and you’ll get little pools of oil on top instead of a nice sauce. Plus, adding the lemon juice slowly helps keep the flavors balanced and fresh.

When I first made this, I was in a hurry and dumped the olive oil all at once. The pesto looked oily and didn’t taste as good. Now, I always take my time with this step—it really makes a difference. Also, if you don’t have a food processor, you can try using a blender or even chop everything finely by hand, but the slow drizzle trick still works great for mixing in the oil and juice.

• fresh basil leaves - Substitute with spinach leaves: Spinach provides a similar green color and mild flavor, though it lacks the distinct aroma of basil.

• toasted walnuts - Substitute with toasted pine nuts: Pine nuts are a traditional ingredient in pesto and offer a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano cheese: Pecorino Romano is a hard cheese with a salty and tangy flavor, similar to Parmesan.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic, which can be a good alternative for those who find garlic too strong.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar consistency and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to olive oil.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar acidity and tanginess, though it has a slightly different flavor profile.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add a different depth of flavor compared to salt.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder and less pungent.

• To store your freshly made walnut pesto, transfer it to an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry before adding the pesto.
• Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto before sealing the container. This helps to prevent oxidation and keeps the vibrant green color of the basil leaves intact.
• Place the container in the refrigerator. The pesto will stay fresh for up to one week.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the pesto. Spoon the pesto into ice cube trays, filling each compartment about three-quarters full.
• Once the pesto is frozen solid, pop the cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or another airtight container. Label the bag with the date.
• When you're ready to use the frozen pesto, simply take out the desired number of cubes and let them thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can also add the frozen cubes directly to hot pasta or soups for a quick flavor boost.
• Avoid reheating the pesto in the microwave, as this can cause the parmesan cheese to separate and the basil to lose its fresh flavor. Instead, gently warm it on the stovetop if needed.

• Gently warm the walnut pesto in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. This method ensures the olive oil doesn't separate and the basil retains its vibrant color.
• If using a microwave, place the pesto in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plate. Heat on low power in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
• For a quick and even reheating, spread the pesto in a thin layer on a baking sheet and place it in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent the walnuts from burning.
• If adding the pesto to pasta, reserve a bit of the pasta cooking water. Toss the pesto with the hot pasta and a splash of the reserved water to help it coat the noodles evenly and warm up without direct heat.
• For a more integrated flavor, mix the pesto with a bit of warm chicken broth or vegetable broth in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until combined and heated through. This method is perfect for drizzling over grilled vegetables or meat.

• Food processor: Essential for finely chopping the basil, walnuts, parmesan cheese, and garlic, and for blending the ingredients smoothly.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the basil leaves, walnuts, and olive oil accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the lemon juice, salt, and pepper precisely.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the food processor to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

• Airtight container: Ideal for storing the pesto in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

• Knife: Needed for cutting and preparing the garlic cloves before mincing.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the garlic and any other ingredients.

• Toaster or skillet: Used to toast the walnuts to enhance their flavor before adding them to the food processor.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all basil leaves, walnuts, parmesan cheese, and garlic before starting to streamline the process.

Toast walnuts in bulk: Toast a large batch of walnuts and store them for future use to save time.

Use pre-minced garlic: Opt for pre-minced garlic to cut down on prep time.

Batch process: Make a double or triple batch of pesto and freeze portions for later use.

Efficient cleanup: Line your workspace with parchment paper to make cleanup quicker and easier.