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You can make pesto with walnuts, and it’s one of the easiest, tastiest swaps you’ll ever try.
If you’ve been wondering how to make pesto with walnuts because pine nuts are pricey or you just don’t have them on hand, you’re in the right place.
Walnuts bring a rich, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with basil, garlic, and Parmesan.
Plus, they’re affordable and easy to find, which makes whipping up walnut pesto a total win for your wallet and your taste buds.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pesto with walnuts step by step, talk about the ingredients you’ll need, and share a few tips so your walnut pesto turns out perfect every single time.
Let’s get into it.
Why You Should Make Pesto With Walnuts
Making pesto with walnuts isn’t just a substitution, it’s a delicious upgrade in its own right.
Here are a few reasons why this version deserves a spot in your kitchen rotation.
1. Walnuts Are Budget-Friendly
Pine nuts can cost a small fortune, especially if you’re buying them in small quantities.
Walnuts, on the other hand, are affordable and available pretty much everywhere.
That means you can make pesto with walnuts more often without feeling like you’re breaking the bank.
2. They Bring a Bold, Earthy Flavor
Walnuts have a slightly bitter, toasty flavor that adds depth to pesto.
Unlike pine nuts, which are mild and buttery, walnuts make their presence known.
This is why many people who make pesto with walnuts never go back to the traditional version.
3. Walnuts Are Packed With Nutrients
Walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
So when you make pesto with walnuts, you’re not just getting flavor, you’re getting a nutritional boost too.
That’s a pretty good deal for a jar of sauce.
4. It’s Quick and Easy
Learning how to make pesto with walnuts takes just a few minutes.
Toss everything in a food processor, blend, and you’re done.
No cooking, no fuss, just fresh, vibrant pesto ready to go.
Ingredients for Walnut Pesto
Before we dive into how to make pesto with walnuts, let’s talk about what you’ll need.
Here’s the short list:
1. Fresh Basil
You’ll want about two packed cups of fresh basil leaves.
Rinse them well and pat them dry so your pesto doesn’t turn out watery.
2. Walnuts
A half cup of shelled walnuts works perfectly.
You can toast them lightly in a dry pan for a few minutes if you want extra flavor, but it’s optional.
3. Garlic
One or two cloves, depending on how much you love garlic.
Fresh is best here, so skip the jarred stuff if you can.
4. Parmesan Cheese
A half cup of freshly grated Parmesan gives your pesto that salty, savory kick.
Pecorino Romano works great too if you want something a bit sharper.
5. Olive Oil
About half a cup of good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
This is what brings everything together into that silky, pourable pesto texture.
6. Salt and Pepper
Just a pinch of each, adjusted to your taste.
You might not even need much salt since the Parmesan is already salty.
How to Make Pesto With Walnuts Step by Step
Now for the fun part, actually making it.
Here’s how to make pesto with walnuts in just a few simple steps.
1. Prep Your Ingredients
Start by rinsing and drying your basil leaves.
If you’re toasting your walnuts, do that now and let them cool for a few minutes.
Peel your garlic cloves and grate your Parmesan.
2. Add Everything to the Food Processor
Toss the basil, walnuts, garlic, and Parmesan into your food processor.
Pulse a few times until everything is chopped and combined.
3. Stream in the Olive Oil
With the processor running on low, slowly pour in the olive oil.
Keep blending until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
If it looks too thick, add a little more oil until you get the consistency you like.
4. Taste and Adjust
Give your pesto a taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice if you want a little brightness.
5. Use or Store It
Your walnut pesto is ready to use right away.
Toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or drizzle it over roasted veggies.
If you’re not using it immediately, store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Tips for the Best Walnut Pesto
Want to make sure your pesto turns out amazing every time?
Here are a few quick tips when you make pesto with walnuts.
1. Toast the Walnuts
Toasting brings out the natural oils in the walnuts and makes the flavor deeper and richer.
Just a few minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat does the trick.
2. Use Fresh, High-Quality Olive Oil
Since olive oil is a major ingredient, the quality really matters.
A good extra virgin olive oil will make your pesto taste noticeably better.
3. Don’t Over-Blend
Pulse rather than blend continuously so you don’t turn your pesto into a paste.
A little texture is a good thing.
4. Freeze Extra Pesto
Pesto freezes beautifully.
Spoon it into ice cube trays, freeze, then pop the cubes into a bag for later.
That way you can enjoy walnut pesto whenever the craving hits.
So, How to Make Pesto With Walnuts?
You can make pesto with walnuts by blending fresh basil, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil together until smooth and creamy.
It’s a simple swap that saves money and adds a delicious twist to a classic sauce.
Whether you’re spreading it on a sandwich or tossing it with pasta, walnut pesto is a keeper.
Now that you know how to make pesto with walnuts, go ahead and give it a try.