Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
You can make basil pesto with walnuts by swapping the traditional pine nuts for walnuts, and the result is just as delicious, if not better.
If you’ve been wondering how to make basil pesto with walnuts, you’re in for a treat because this version is nutty, rich, and incredibly easy to whip up at home.
It’s a great way to use up that bumper crop of basil from your garden or that big bunch you grabbed at the farmers market.
Plus, walnuts are more affordable and easier to find than pine nuts, so you can make basil pesto with walnuts anytime a craving hits.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make basil pesto with walnuts, the ingredients you’ll need, and some tips to get the perfect consistency every time.
Let’s dive in.
Why Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts
You should make basil pesto with walnuts because walnuts bring a deep, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh basil.
1. Walnuts Are a Budget-Friendly Swap
Pine nuts can be pricey and sometimes hard to find, but walnuts are affordable and available in almost every grocery store.
When you make basil pesto with walnuts, you get that same creamy, nutty richness without breaking the bank.
2. They Add a Hearty, Earthy Flavor
Walnuts have a slightly bitter, earthy taste that complements basil, garlic, and Parmesan perfectly.
If you make basil pesto with walnuts, the sauce tastes a little more robust and rustic than the classic version.
3. Walnuts Are Packed with Nutrients
Walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, so making basil pesto with walnuts gives your sauce a nutritional boost.
It’s a small change that makes your pesto a little healthier without sacrificing flavor.
4. You Can Toast Them for Extra Depth
Toasting the walnuts before you make basil pesto with walnuts brings out their natural oils and makes the flavor even richer.
Just a few minutes in a dry skillet is all it takes to elevate your homemade pesto.
Ingredients for Basil Pesto with Walnuts
To make basil pesto with walnuts, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients.
1. Fresh Basil Leaves
You’ll want about two packed cups of fresh basil leaves for this basil pesto with walnuts recipe.
Rinse them well and pat them dry so your pesto doesn’t turn watery.
2. Walnuts
Use about half a cup of walnut halves or pieces when you make basil pesto with walnuts.
Toast them lightly for the best flavor, but raw works fine too.
3. Garlic
Two cloves of garlic give your basil pesto with walnuts that signature punch.
If you love garlic, feel free to add a third clove.
4. Parmesan Cheese
A half cup of freshly grated Parmesan makes your basil pesto with walnuts creamy and savory.
Pecorino Romano works great too if you want a sharper taste.
5. Olive Oil
You’ll need about half a cup of good-quality extra virgin olive oil to bring your basil pesto with walnuts together.
Add it slowly so the consistency stays smooth and silky.
6. Salt and Lemon Juice
A pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice brighten up the flavors in your basil pesto with walnuts.
The lemon also helps keep the basil from turning brown.
How to Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts Step by Step
Making basil pesto with walnuts takes about ten minutes and a food processor or blender.
1. Toast the Walnuts
Start by toasting your walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for three to five minutes.
This step is optional but highly recommended when you make basil pesto with walnuts.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
Add the basil, walnuts, garlic, and Parmesan to your food processor and pulse a few times.
This creates a rough paste that forms the base of your basil pesto with walnuts.
3. Stream in the Olive Oil
With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth.
When you make basil pesto with walnuts, patience here pays off with a perfect texture.
4. Season and Taste
Add salt and a squeeze of lemon juice, then pulse again.
Taste your basil pesto with walnuts and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Store or Serve
Use your basil pesto with walnuts right away or store it in a jar topped with a little olive oil.
It keeps in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for up to three months.
So, How Do You Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts?
You make basil pesto with walnuts by blending fresh basil, toasted walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil into a smooth, flavorful sauce.
It’s an easy swap that saves money and adds a rich, earthy twist to a classic favorite.
Whether you toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or drizzle it over roasted veggies, basil pesto with walnuts is a versatile staple worth keeping on hand.
Give this recipe a try, and you might never go back to pine nuts again.