Citric Acid Free Ginger Cilantro Lime Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto is a punchy blend of fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and ginger that comes together in minutes with just a food processor and a handful of real ingredients. The double hit of ground and freshly grated ginger gives it a warm, aromatic backbone that sets it apart from anything you'd find in a jar at the store. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, the good news is that the brightness here comes entirely from fresh lime juice and zest — no processed additives, no hidden preservatives, just clean, whole-food flavor you can trace back to the source. Packaged pestos and sauces are notorious for sneaking in citric acid as a preservative, so making your own is genuinely the smartest move. Stream in the olive oil slowly while the blender runs and you get a silky, emulsified texture that clings beautifully to pasta, grilled proteins, roasted vegetables, or even a warm piece of flatbread. The recipe is endlessly versatile and stores easily in a sealed jar, so a single batch can carry you through several meals during the week.
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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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