Keto Classic Basil Pesto Sauce

Elevate your low-carb culinary creations with this Keto Classic Basil Pesto Sauce, a vibrant and versatile staple that's bursting with fresh flavor. Made with fragrant basil leaves, nutty toasted pine nuts, sharp Parmesan cheese, and a splash of zesty lemon juice, this recipe blends into a smooth, creamy sauce in just 10 minutes. Drizzle this rich pesto over zoodles, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies for an effortless keto-friendly meal, or use it as a dip or spread for added flavor. With no added sugars and wholesome ingredients, this homemade pesto is the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication, ideal for meal prep or freezing for future use.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup pine nuts
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh basil leaves under cold water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

Step 2

In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.

Step 4

With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil through the opening of the lid. Continue to blend until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.

Step 5

Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse briefly to combine all the flavors together.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little more olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Transfer the pesto sauce to a clean jar or airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(250.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1374.0

Total Fat 147.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 1861.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 9.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g	0%
Total Sugars 1.6g
Protein 22.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 510.4mg	0%
Iron 3.4mg	0%
Potassium 375.8mg	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: 91.3%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 2.5%