Chermoula Moroccan Pesto
Bright, zesty, and packed with bold North African flavors, Chermoula Moroccan Pesto is a vibrant twist on traditional pesto that will elevate any dish. This aromatic sauce blends fresh cilantro, parsley, and mint with earthy spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, all tied together by the tang of lemon juice and the warmth of garlic. Optional preserved lemon rind adds an authentic Moroccan touch, making this chermoula irresistibly flavorful. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect as a marinade for grilled meats, a topping for roasted vegetables, or a zippy dip for seafood. Versatile, easy to make, and utterly delicious, this homemade Moroccan pesto is your new go-to recipe for globally inspired meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup, packed fresh cilantro
- 1 cup, packed fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup, packed fresh mint leaves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon, finely chopped preserved lemon rind (optional)
Instructions
Rinse and pat dry the fresh cilantro, parsley, and mint leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Remove tough stems as needed.
In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh cilantro, parsley, and mint leaves.
Add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, preserved lemon rind (if using), paprika, cumin, coriander, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the mixture a few times to begin chopping the herbs and mixing the flavors.
With the food processor running on a low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture becomes smooth and pesto-like in texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Taste the chermoula and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, lemon juice, or chili flakes according to your preference.
Transfer the chermoula to a small jar or airtight container and refrigerate if not using immediately. Let the flavors meld for at least 30 minutes for best results.
Use as a marinade, dipping sauce, or topping for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or seafood.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1106 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 115.3 g | 148% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1494 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.4 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.9 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g | ||
| Protein | 10.1 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 530 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 17.8 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 1558 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
