Fresh Basil Pesto is the easiest way to add tons of flavors to any dish. This homemade pesto recipe takes just 5 minutes to prepare and is made without any pinenuts. It’s still creamy, flavorful, and delicious!
Homemade Pesto Sauce recipe without Pinenuts
I learned this recipe for Fresh Basil Pesto with almonds from my sister-in-law a couple of years ago. Her pesto sauce tasted unique and delicious with fresh ingredients and it had no pine nuts.
Pinenuts as such are an expensive ingredient and it was fantastic to learn this classic spin on a pesto recipe without it.
The key to making a fantastic pesto sauce is using fresh ingredients. You will also love this 5 minutes Coriander Pesto sauce recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe?
Instant Pesto sauce recipe comes together in a breeze.
A handful of ingredients to make fresh flavorful pesto sauce.
Dietary needs – Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-free, and Gluten-free
Easy to substitute ingredients in this recipe.
Basil Pesto Ingredients
Basil – Use fresh Basil in the recipe. Look for bright green leaves to use in the pesto recipes. Basil herb grows well on my window sill through 8 months. If you like you can also use a handful of fresh spinach leaves.
Nuts – I like to use Almonds in my Pesto sauce. You can swap Almonds for any nuts like Cashew nuts and even Walnuts. Changing up the nuts does not make a drastic taste-changing difference in pesto.
Garlic – Roasted garlic vs Raw Garlic – Either of them works. However roasted Garlic adds more flavor to the recipe.
Lemon – Citrus adds the zing to the pesto sauce and balances the flavors well.
Cheese or Nutritional Yeast – I like to add Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese or Nutritional Yeast for creaminess.
Green Olives – Adding a handful of pitted green olives adds tons of flavors to the pesto. This secret ingredient adds oomph to the pesto.
Olive Oil – Use good quality extra virgin oil for fresh pesto.
Salt to taste.
How to make Homemade fresh basil pesto without pine nuts?
Add the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Add 3 – 5 tablespoons of cold water to adjust the consistency of the pesto sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Enjoy the Instant Pesto for your pasta, pizza, or even with grilled meat or fish.
Serving Suggestions
With Pasta – Stir into your Pasta Salad or to make a creamy pesto pasta.
On your Pizza
In your Buddha Bowls
Storage
Fridge – Drizzle a little extra olive oil and store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer – Transfer the pesto sauce to the ice cube tray and allow them to set in the freezer. Then transfer them to freezer-safe bags and enjoy them as needed in your recipes.
What can you use for the Pine nuts in the Pesto recipe?
You can use almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or even cashew nuts as a perfect pine nuts replacement in a pesto sauce recipe.
If you love this recipe, you will also love
HAVE YOU MADE THIS RECIPE?
Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a ★ rating!
Post a photo of your creation on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sandhyaskitchen. I would love to see your pictures!
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters!
Easy Fresh Basil Pesto recipe below
Ingredients
- 1 Large Bunch Basil Leaves approx 2 cups
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Almonds
- 10 Green Olives Optional
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese
- ½ Lemon Juice
- 3-5 tbsp water
- Salt as needed
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the blender and pulse a couple of times until a smooth silken sauce is achieved.
- Add Olive Oil and pulse again. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water.
- Serve with Pasta Salad or Pizza or even in your puff pastry.
Sandhya love this pesto recipe and your photography is stunning as always!
Thank so much Ami. This pesto screams Herbs.. If you love herbs.. you will enjoy it even more.
Loved the recipe sandhya! Will try it out soon and let you know 🙂 Stunning shots as always!
Sure Do Janani… I would love to hear how it turns out.
Gorgeous clicks Sandhya! Great review and pesto looks awesome!
heyy thanks so much Priya.. Its a beasty blender.. sure to fall in love.
delicious recipe and beautiful pictures
thank you.. Long time !!
Amazing pics as always….Bright and crisp… Great review there…love the blender
thank you Anupa 🙂 The pasta gets really fragrant with this delicious pesto.
I’m in love with the vibrant color of the pesto. Love how fresh your basil looks. Gorgeous clicks girl <3
Heyy thanks Jyothi. I miss my Basil Plant. Time to buy my next one and nurture them.
This pesto looks absolutely delicious!
Thanks so much Kate..