Emulsifier Free Cilantro, Mint & Pistachio Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto is a bold twist on the classic, swapping basil for a lively duo of fresh cilantro and mint that brings serious brightness to every spoonful. Toasted pistachios add a buttery richness and satisfying texture, while fresh lime juice and zest keep the whole thing tasting clean and alive. A whisper of cumin and optional red pepper flakes give it just enough depth and warmth to make it genuinely addictive. For anyone navigating emulsifier sensitivities, store-bought condiments and sauces are often a minefield of additives hiding in plain sight on the ingredient label. This pesto is made entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients — fresh herbs, nuts, citrus, garlic, and good olive oil — with nothing processed or stabilized in the mix. The slow stream of extra-virgin olive oil into the running food processor does all the binding work naturally, creating a luscious, cohesive paste without any chemical help. Spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, toss it through pasta, spread it on flatbread, or use it as a dipping sauce — it's the kind of versatile condiment that quietly improves everything it touches. Make a batch, stash it in a jar, and watch it disappear faster than you expected.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, loosely packed
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- ½ cup dry-roasted pistachios, unsalted
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the pistachios and garlic to the bowl of a food processor and pulse 8–10 times until the pistachios are coarsely broken down and the garlic is finely chopped.
- 2
Add the cilantro, mint, lime juice, lime zest, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Pulse another 8–10 times until the herbs are finely chopped and the mixture looks uniformly crumbly.
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