Zesty Lemon Pesto
Brighten up your meals with this vibrant Zesty Lemon Pesto! Packed with fresh basil and parsley, this twist on classic pesto introduces bold citrus notes from lemon zest and juice, creating a refreshing and tangy flavor profile. Toasted pine nuts and creamy Parmesan cheese lend richness, while garlic adds a savory kick. Finished with premium extra virgin olive oil for a silky texture, this no-cook recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for quick pasta dinners, sandwiches, or as a zippy drizzle over roasted vegetables. Easy to make, versatile, and bursting with flavors, this lemon-infused pesto is guaranteed to become your go-to condiment for elevating any dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups (packed) Fresh parsley leaves
- 2 teaspoons Lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cups Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Begin by preparing your ingredients. Wash and dry the fresh basil and parsley leaves, then measure them into lightly packed cups.
2. Zest two teaspoons of lemon skin using a microplane or fine grater. Make sure to avoid grating the bitter white pith.
3. Juice the lemon to extract two tablespoons of fresh juice.
4. Add the basil leaves, parsley leaves, lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves to a food processor or high-speed blender.
5. Pulse the mixture several times until it starts to break down into a coarse paste.
6. While the processor is running on low speed, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified.
7. Pause to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula as needed to ensure a uniform consistency.
8. Once the pesto has reached your desired texture, add salt and ground black pepper, then pulse a few more times to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
9. Transfer the pesto to a bowl or airtight container for immediate use, or refrigerate for up to a week. If refrigerating, cover with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation.
10. Use this Zesty Lemon Pesto to top pasta, spread on sandwiches, or drizzle over roasted veggies for a delicious burst of flavor!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1468 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 150.0 g | 192% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.6 g | 133% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1682 mg | 73% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16.0 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.7 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.7 g | ||
| Protein | 26.2 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 686 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 7.9 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 931 mg | 20% | |
*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.
