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–+ servings
an overhead image of basil pesto with almonds in a bowl with a spoon, lemons, basil leaves, and parmesan cheese
Christine Miller

Easy Basil Pesto Recipe with Almonds (No Pine Nuts, Ready in 10 Minutes)

5 from 1 vote
Our version of basil pesto using almonds instead of pine nuts
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Ingredient, sauce
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 1563.8
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz. fresh basil leaves
  • 3½ oz. roasted whole almonds
  • 3½ oz. cheese parmesan, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 large lemons zested and juiced
  • 2 cups olive oil
  • 5 large cloves fresh garlic

Equipment

  • 1 Blender or food processor
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef Knife
  • 1 Scale
  • 1 Rubber Spatula
  • 1 micro plane for zesting the lemons
  • 1 citrus juicer a fork works well if you don't have a juicer
  • 1 sheet of parchment paper
  • 1 Sheet pan

Method
 

  1. Remove basil leaves from the stems, peel the garlic, and cut up the Parmesan cheese into small chunks
  2. Place the almonds on to a parchment paper lined sheet pan, into a preheated 350℉ oven (or toaster oven) for about 12 minutes, when you can smell them they are done. Place to the side to cool
  3. Juice and zest the lemons into the blender cup or the bowl of the food processor, and add the olive oil
  4. Add the almonds, garlic cloves, cheese chunks, and salt and black pepper to the oil and lemon juice
  5. Blend on the crush ice setting for a few minutes, then stop and add the basil leaves
  6. Continue blending until a smooth paste begins to form
  7. Once the mixture is smooth stop blending (you may have to add a bit more olive oil to adjust the texture)
  8. Using a rubber spatula (making sure to get every drop out of the blender cup or processor bowl!) place the pesto into desired containers for storage

Nutrition

Calories: 1563.8kcalCarbohydrates: 82.6gProtein: 60.7gFat: 127.7gSaturated Fat: 28.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 69.5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 99.2mgSodium: 7207.6mgPotassium: 2363.3mgFiber: 38.2gSugar: 17.8gVitamin A: 17111.2IUVitamin C: 280mgCalcium: 1728.8mgIron: 16.9mg

Notes

This versatile pesto can be used for countless dishes including pasta, fish, chicken, and as a condiment for vegetables!

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