Low Sodium Red Pesto

Discover the bold and vibrant flavors of this Low Sodium Red Pesto, a heart-conscious twist on a classic Italian favorite. Made with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and slivered almonds, this recipe delivers rich, savory depth without the need for added salt. A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the profile, while a touch of black pepper and optional red pepper flakes add just the right amount of kick. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this red pesto pairs perfectly with pasta, as a sandwich spread, or even as a dip. It’s a versatile, flavor-packed, and low-sodium solution for all your culinary needs.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Slivered almonds
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 2 Garlic cloves, peeled
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by soaking the sun-dried tomatoes in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them, unless you are using oil-packed tomatoes.

Step 2

Drain the tomatoes and add them to a food processor along with basil leaves, slivered almonds, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves.

Step 3

Pulse the ingredients in the food processor a few times until they are coarsely blended.

Step 4

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 5

Add the lemon juice, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Blend again to incorporate.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, remembering that this recipe is designed to be low sodium.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Use this vibrant red pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a flavorful dip.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(344.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1756.6

Total Fat 164.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 47.6mg	0%
Sodium 966.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 51.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.5g	0%
Total Sugars 23.5g
Protein 46.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 901.4mg	0%
Iron 8.8mg	0%
Potassium 2572.8mg	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: 79.2%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 10.9%