BHA & BHT Free Ginger Cilantro Lime Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto is a punchy twist on the classic, swapping basil for a bold combination of fresh cilantro and flat-leaf parsley, then brightening the whole thing with a generous hit of lime juice, lime zest, and ginger. The result is something electric — grassy, citrusy, and just a little warm from the ginger — and it comes together in minutes with a food processor and a handful of real, whole ingredients. For anyone navigating preservative-free eating, store-bought condiments and sauces are often a minefield of synthetic additives like BHA and BHT used to extend shelf life. Making your own pesto from scratch means every single ingredient is visible, recognizable, and clean. Extra-virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and citrus are all you need to build serious depth of flavor without anything hidden in the mix. Spoon it over grilled fish or chicken, toss it with noodles, swirl it into soups, or use it as a dipping sauce — this one is endlessly versatile. Once you have a jar of this in the fridge, you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, loosely packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the cilantro, parsley, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, salt, ground ginger, and fresh ginger (if using) to the bowl of a food processor or blender.
- 2
Pulse 8–10 times until the herbs and garlic are roughly chopped and the mixture begins to come together.
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