This Lemon Pesto recipe is bursting with the zesty flavor of fresh lemons combined with the nutty crunch of both pine nuts and pistachios all blended together with vibrant basil and parmesan cheese.
About the Recipe
This versatile and refreshing pesto is the perfect companion to pasta, salads, grilled veggies, and so much more!
This bright and refreshing lemon pesto is perfect for spring and summer picnics, quick dinners, and gatherings. Its zesty flavors and adaptability make it a delicious choice for anyone who appreciates versatile and flavorful dishes.
We love this spin on traditional pesto for an easy dinner. Zest the lemon rinds, but make sure to not include the bitter white pith.
If you are looking for more easy pesto recipes, check out our: Spinach Pesto, Easy Mint, Walnut, and Basil Pesto Recipe or Easy Pesto Di Zucchini.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Refreshing - Lemon pesto offers a burst of bright and refreshing citrus flavors, making it a great addition to any dish.
Versatile - This recipe can be used as a pasta sauce, salad dressing, sandwich spread, dip, or marinade, allowing you to get creative in the kitchen.
Simple - Making this bright pesto is quick and easy, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time. And the lemon flavor is simple but delicious.
Ingredients
Here are the fresh ingredients you will need for this zesty lemon pesto recipe:
- Lemon - You will use both fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. You can use regular lemons or Meyer lemons.
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Parmesan cheese
- Kosher Salt
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Directions
Let's make this lemony pesto together!
Step 1: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, pistachios, basil, parmesan cheese, and salt. Pulse until combined in a thick paste.
Step 2: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Pulse until smooth.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this great recipe:
Taste it - Give the pesto a taste and decide if it needs an additional seasoning. Adding a little more salt can really help to bring out the flavors if it’s tasting a little on the dull side.
Toast the nuts - If you wanted, you could toast the pine nuts and pistachios before adding them to the food processor. This helps to bring out their natural oils and enhances the nutty flavor.
Adjust consistency - As you are blending the ingredients together, monitor the consistency. If it’s too thick, add a bit more olive oil to achieve the desired consistency.
Make pasta - Make lemon pesto pasta! Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water, then toss al dente pasta with pasta water and lemon pesto. You can also add in sliced chicken breasts for extra protein.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this lemon basil pesto recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Food processor - This food processor is my favorite and I use it almost every day! It's great quality and you can use it for a variety of recipes.
Serving tray - Make this pesto into a pasta dish and serve on this beautiful serving platter.
Microplane - I love this microplane for zesting lemons. Lemon zest will add so much flavor to your meals! You can also use a microplane to grate a garlic clove. If you don't have a microplane, you can also use a vegetable peeler to zest the lemon.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this simple recipe:
Cheese - You can replace the parmesan cheese with any other hard cheese. Some great options would be pecorino, Romano or Asiago.
Nuts - Instead of pine nuts and pistachios, try using a different nut like walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
Additions - If you want to add a bit of heat, try sprinkling in some crushed red pepper flakes.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this easy pesto recipe:
Tagliatelle Carbonara - This incredible recipe for Tagliatelle Carbonara is pure Italian goodness. Made with simple yet flavorful ingredients like pecorino romano cheese, velvety egg yolk, and crispy pancetta, this dish is a true masterpiece.
Spaghetti ala Bolonesa - This Spaghetti ala Bolonesa recipe is a delicious and flavorful bolognese recipe! Each bite is filled with rich meat and tomato flavor that your family will love.
Easy Spinach Stuffed Salmon - This easy Spinach Stuffed Salmon Recipe will be your new favorite weeknight meal! This recipe is so easy and super delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh lemon juice is going to give you the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice could be used in a pinch.
Yes, you can absolutely use lemon pesto as a marinade for meats or vegetables, and it can add a delicious and flavorful twist to your dishes. The bright and tangy flavors of lemon pesto work wonderfully to infuse your proteins and veggies with a burst of zesty goodness.
Absolutely. If you do not have a food processor, a blender works just as well. Please note that you may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides to ensure all the ingredients are being blended equally.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this pesto.
Refrigerator Storage: Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent the pesto from browning, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the surface before sealing the container. It will keep well for 4-5 days, but remember that the vibrant green color may fade over time.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator.
Other Recipes to Try
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Lemon Pesto
Ingredients
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ¼ cup pistachios
- 2 cups basil
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, pistachios, basil, parmesan cheese, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- While food processor is running, slowly add extra virgin olive oil to the food processor. Pulse until smooth.
Jen Steiner says
This lemon pesto recipe was just delicious. We made it with rigatoni and paired it with a nice bottle of Italian wine. It was a great ending to a busy day.