Tasty and filled with healthy fats, this homemade basil almond pesto recipe is made with almonds instead of the usual pine nuts to provide a lighter more neutral flavor. The easy pesto is the perfect addition to pasta dishes, sandwiches, wraps, salads, dips, dressings, and more.
Love Homemade Pesto? Also, try my 7 Homemade Pesto Recipes including Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Walnut Pesto Recipe, Homemade Almond Pesto, and Walnut Pesto.
Almond Pesto Recipe
This Almond Pesto recipe will be the star of your summer. Whether you like almonds more than pine nuts or are looking for a less expensive pesto that doesn't require you to buy pine nuts, this crazy easy pesto made with almonds is pure summer perfection made with gorgeous fresh basil leaves. This tasty summer recipe that's crazy versatile comes together in a food processor in just 5 minutes with 5 ingredients.
This year I decided to plant FOUR huge pots of basil for this pesto recipe and my other Healthy Homemade Pesto Recipes on this site. The plants are going crazy and are so pretty and fragrant. But let's say I have enough basil for a lifetime and I'm so excited to make pesto this summer for recipes like my Creamy Pesto Gnocchi, Caprese Pesto Salad, Tortellini Pasta Salad, or even Lemon Pesto Salmon.
So, of course, that means it's time to get creative in the kitchen! First up is homemade PESTO. But not just any pesto... a more economical one. I love pine nuts but those things are pricey! I have a huge stash of almonds in my kitchen for snacks, so I love making this swap.
Can I substitute almonds for pine nuts in pesto?
My question was is a basil pesto made with almonds good? Can you substitute almonds for the pine nuts? Yes, you can! My experience in making Basil Almond Pesto is a winner. This is one recipe I make again and again and I know you will too.
Why you'll love my Almond Pesto recipe...
- Almond Pesto is a five ingredient recipe that is a great use for fresh basil.
- It only takes 5 minutes to make this.
- It's super versatile and can be used in pasta dishes, on top of pizza, in a salad, or even with fish.
- This Basil Almond Pesto recipe is fabulous because almonds cost less and are also a nutritional powerhouse and superfood!
- They are full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, vitamin E, and can even help lower cholesterol levels. They are just about perfect food.
- Here are some other benefits of almonds! They can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, help digestion, reduce cravings, and help with heart disease.
- Putting them in your pesto means your dinner just got that much healthier... YOU'RE WELCOME. 🙂
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Almon Pesto recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Fresh Basil: Pesto is the perfect way to use up all of that extra basil you have growing in your garden. This is one recipe where dried herbs don't work, you'll need the fresh herbs.
- Almonds: Almonds are much more inexpensive than pine nuts, and they have a nice neutral flavor, which makes them the perfect option for pesto.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan to add more flavor. You can substitute pecorino cheese too.
- Fresh Clove Garlic: Garlic helps to liven up the pesto. This is one ingredient you won't want to skip.
- Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil, like extra-virgin, provides the best flavor. I like to keep this one.
- Salt & Pepper: As simple as it is, a pinch of salt and black pepper are a must as they help to increase flavor and reduce the bitterness of the basil.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Almond Pesto recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
This pesto sauce with almonds comes together in a flash thanks to a blender, food chopper or food processor.
- Put your fresh basil, almonds, parmesan cheese, and garlic in a food processor and pulse until chopped up. Add the olive oil and blend until it's as smooth.
- Don't overprocess or your olive oil can turn bitter.
- Scoop it out and use it in your favorite recipe.
Variations
I love this Almond Pesto recipe as written, but here are some fun additions.
- Make it Spicy: Add Red Pepper Flakes
- Make it Bright: Add Fresh Lemon Juice
- Make it Vegan Pesto or Dairy Free: Leave out the parmesan cheese
- Mix Up the Nuts: You can also make it with pecans, sunflower seeds, pistachios or Walnut Pesto or Cashew Pesto
- Make it Old School: Don't have a blender? Go old school and hand-mix it with a mortar and pestle.
- Don't have enough basil? Make my Spinach Pesto or substitute some of the basil for arugula, spinach, parsley, or kale.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Leftover almond pesto can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. If desired, you can put a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to help prevent oxidizing.
Freezing
The almond pesto freezes well and would be so lovely to have in the winter. You can freeze it in ice cube trays, pop out the cubes, and then store it in plastic freezer bags.
What's pesto made of?
Traditional pesto is made with basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil. In this recipe, we're sticking with tradition except for one simple change! Almonds instead of pine nuts. Although, if you're a pesto purist, you can certainly use pine nuts if you prefer, I think you'll love this change!'
What kind of nuts can you use for pesto?
If you are curious... "Can I use almonds in pesto?!" YES, you can!! Almonds work great in pesto. You can also make it with walnuts and cashews. All of them give a slightly different flavor to the healthy pesto but all are still delicious.
Almond Pesto recipe is Fresh & Tasty
I hope you enjoy this Basil Almond Pesto recipe as much as I did! The flavor is very similar to traditional pesto with plenty of nutty, basil-y, garlic-y goodness. This basil pesto recipe is so good!
My only problem is I still am running wild with basil... but I guess there are a lot worse problems to have. 🙂
You can use it as a spread for sandwhiches, in pasta, soups, on pizza, on eggs or even on a salad! Here are a few recipes from the Running in a Skirt archives to make with it.
Serving Suggestions:
- Creamy Gnocchi Pesto
- Lemon Pesto Pasta
- Salmon Pesto Pasta
- Pesto Quinoa with Shrimp
- Creamy Pesto Pasta
- Pistachio Pesto Zoodles
- Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon <---this EASY lemon pesto salmon is one you HAVE to try!
- Asparagus & Tomato Pesto Tortellini Salad
- Homemade Stromboli
- Grilled Vegetable Sandwich
More Pesto Recipes to Try:
- 6 Fresh & Tasty Homemade Pesto Recipes
- Homemade Cashew Pesto
- Homemade Almond Pesto
- Homemade Walnut Pesto
- Cilantro Pesto
- Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
If you make this Almond Pesto recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Almond Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups packed basil
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients - basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, almonds, and olive oil, to a food processor and combine until smooth.
- Remove from the food processor with a spoon.
- Serve with your favorite pesto dishes.
Notes
Nutrition
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jen says
I have made this in the past and lile this option. Have you frozen it before? how ling does it last in the frig?
Debbie Wright says
I hate store bought pesto , I am always looking for new ways to make it . The basil in herb garden is growing like crazy so this was the perfect recipe. I loved that this had almonds instead of pine nuts . This is my new go to pesto recipe !
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This is a great variation to the traditional. We use walnut and also hazelnuts too. Nice share, we just had pesto the other night. A great condiment to make from scratch! 😋 ❤️
Carrie Robinson says
I have never made pesto with almonds before! What a great idea. 🙂 I have so much fresh basil in my garden right now. Definitely going to make this soon.
Mikayla says
This was a nice variation from a traditional pesto, we added the splash of lemon as we really like a bright flavor in our pesto! Thanks!
Erin says
I love that this uses almonds so I gave it a try! The best pesto I've ever made. Thanks so much!
Colleen says
I never have pine nuts but always have almonds in the pantry. I can't wait to make this pesto with my garden basil.
veenaazmanov says
The Pesto recipe with the addition of Almond instead of Pine nuts sounds good and easily available in my kitchen too. I love the options to enjoying this pesto recipe.
Lauren says
I love pesto but rarely have pine nuts on hand so I was happy to find this recipe with almonds! The pesto was just as good - will use this recipe again!
Jenine Snarr says
This turned out great! I added the juice from one lemon, also. Couldn't have been better!
Anna says
Oh how I love pesto! What a super idea to use almonds instead of pine nuts as I always have almonds on hand. Making pesto is my favorite way to use up basil before it turns black!
Patty says
Great idea to substitute pine nuts with almonds, that's a nice change of flavor, I have a bunch of basil that I wanted to pesto, will try your way!
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale says
I have never used almonds in a pesto before. I have only tried pine nuts and walnuts. This looks fantastic. I can't wait to give it a try. This will be delicious over a nice piece of salmon.
Amanda says
LOVE pesto! One of my favorite sauces. Thanks for sharing!
Alexis says
Oh, I love the nuttiness of almonds. This sounds delicious and I love fresh pesto. I'm going to add this to our meal plan for sure.
Farrah says
I love love love pesto! I really hope I'll have my own garden someday--that's awesome that you have 4 pots of basil! 😀 Can't wait to try this out! Almonds are way more affordable than pine nuts! 😛
Lorie says
Haven’t tried an almond pesto yet but I have everything I need for this. Can’t wait!!!
patrick@looneyforfood.com says
I love how versatile Pesto is, change the nuts, herbs.. possibilities are endless. I like to smother roasted eggplant in pesto.
Alisa Fleming says
I love seeing different pesto variations! This could be my next one to try since it seems like almonds are also the least expensive nut these days.
Lisa Ballantyne says
Looks amazing Julie!
Ana Alarcon says
Sounds super yum! have you tried it with vegan cheese? wondering which brand would work best.
Rachel says
I LOVE pesto. My boyfriend is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, so we can't use store-bought pesto (I haven't found a nut-free one that tastes good yet). But making your own pesto is soooo simple. I always just find a recipe online and leave out the nuts. I'll have to try this one!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I wanted to make homemade pesto this summer but then my basil plant died 🙁 Definitely book marking this for when I get a new one!!