Chipotle Cilantro Pesto
Elevate your meals with the bold and zesty flavors of Chipotle Cilantro Pesto! This vibrant, no-cook recipe combines the smoky heat of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with fresh, aromatic cilantro for a unique twist on traditional pesto. Toasted almonds add a nutty richness, while Parmesan cheese, garlic, and freshly squeezed lime juice deliver layers of savory, tangy depth. With a drizzle of olive oil for a smooth texture and optional water for thinning, this versatile sauce is ready in just 10 minutes. Perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or topping for grilled meats and veggies, this pesto is guaranteed to impress. Plus, it’s easy to store—simply refrigerate or freeze for later use! Turn up the flavor in your kitchen with this spicy, herby delight. Keywords: chipotle cilantro pesto, smoky pesto recipe, easy pesto sauce, cilantro recipes, chipotle recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cilantro
- 2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup toasted almonds
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 whole garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons pepper
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
Rinse and dry the fresh cilantro. Trim off the tough stems, keeping the tender stems and leaves.
In a food processor, combine the cilantro, chipotle peppers, toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is roughly chopped.
Add the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice if desired.
If the pesto is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and blend again until you reach your desired consistency.
Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
Use the Chipotle Cilantro Pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a topping for grilled meats and vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2195 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 203.8 g | 261% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.9 g | 209% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 3002 mg | 131% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.3 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.2 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 71.4 g | 143% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 1678 mg | 129% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 1199 mg | 26% | |
*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.
