Cilantro Pesto Recipe
This vibrant Cilantro Pesto is a fresh and flavorful twist on traditional pesto, featuring bright cilantro, creamy cashews, and zesty lemon juice. Perfect as a sauce, dip, or spread, this easy-to-make recipe comes together in minutes using a food processor or blender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro, chopped (including stems)
- ½ cup cashews
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, add the chopped cilantro, cashews, garlic cloves, and kosher salt together.
- Pulse Mixture: Pulse the ingredients a few times to coarsely chop and mix them well.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour in the lemon juice into the mixture.
- Incorporate Olive Oil: While the processor or blender is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to help the mixture emulsify.
- Blend to Smooth: Continue blending until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Add additional olive oil if a thinner consistency is desired.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the pesto and add more salt, lemon juice, or olive oil as needed to balance the flavors and texture.
- Final Blend: If the pesto is too thick, add more olive oil or lemon juice and blend again for a perfect consistency.
- Store: Transfer the finished cilantro pesto to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to one week.
Notes
- Cashews provide a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavor; they can be toasted for added depth.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small jalapeño pepper.
- This pesto pairs wonderfully with pasta, grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a dip for vegetables.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to one week, or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
- Use fresh cilantro for the best flavor; wilted or old cilantro can result in a less vibrant taste.
Keywords: cilantro pesto, pesto recipe, cilantro sauce, cashew pesto, easy pesto, vegan pesto, Mexican pesto
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/cilantro-pesto-recipe/
