Cilantro Pesto

Brighten up your meals with this vibrant and flavorful Cilantro Pesto recipe! This zesty twist on the classic pesto replaces traditional basil with fragrant fresh cilantro, creating a unique, herbaceous sauce that's bursting with bold flavors. Blended with nutty Parmesan cheese, buttery pine nuts, garlic, and a tangy splash of lemon juice, this quick and easy recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Perfectly versatile, Cilantro Pesto can be used as a delectable pasta sauce, a fresh sandwich spread, or a tantalizing topping for grilled meats, vegetables, or seafood. Packed with fresh ingredients and made with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, this luscious condiment is a must-try for any cilantro lover. Make a batch today and savor its vibrant flavors all week long!

Nutriscore Rating: 39/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Begin by washing and drying the cilantro thoroughly. Ensure that there are no excess water droplets, as this can affect the texture of the pesto.

Step 2

In a food processor, combine cilantro, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and minced garlic.

Step 3

Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped.

Step 4

Slowly add the extra-virgin olive oil while the food processor is running, until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker pesto, use less oil; for a more sauce-like consistency, use more.

Step 5

Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse a few more times to combine all the ingredients.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your preference.

Step 7

Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Step 8

Use as a pasta sauce, a spread on sandwiches, or a topping for grilled meats and vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(249.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1458.2

Total Fat 154.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 1880.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 8.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g	0%
Total Sugars 1.7g
Protein 21.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 483.8mg	0%
Iron 3.2mg	0%
Potassium 407.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 91.9%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 2.3%