Honey Free Cilantro, Mint & Pistachio Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto is a bold departure from the classic basil-and-pine-nut formula, leaning hard into bright cilantro, cooling mint, and the buttery crunch of dry-roasted pistachios. The lime juice and zest give it a citrusy lift that makes the whole thing taste alive, while a whisper of cumin adds just enough warmth to keep things interesting. Everything comes together in a food processor in a matter of minutes, making it one of those sauces that feels far more impressive than the effort required. For anyone navigating sweetener-free eating, store-bought pestos and condiments can be surprisingly tricky — many sneak in honey or other sweeteners as a flavor booster. This recipe relies entirely on fresh herbs, good olive oil, and real citrus to build its depth, so there's nothing hidden in the ingredient list to second-guess. The result is a coarse, spreadable paste that's punchy and complex without a drop of added sweetness. Slather it on grilled flatbread, toss it through pasta, spoon it over roasted vegetables, or use it as a dipping sauce — it's genuinely versatile. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge and it's ready to make almost any meal feel a little more special.
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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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