Nightshade Free Mint & Herb Pesto
Traditional pesto already skips the tomatoes, but many store-bought versions sneak in sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or other nightshade-derived ingredients that can catch you off guard. This version keeps things clean and bright, leaning on a generous trio of fresh mint, basil, and flat-leaf parsley to build layers of herby flavor without a single problematic ingredient in sight. The mint adds a cool, almost floral lift that makes the whole sauce feel lighter and more vibrant than a classic pine-nut-and-basil blend. Lemon zest and a splash of fresh lemon juice do the heavy lifting in the acidity department, giving you that punchy, fresh finish you'd normally expect from a recipe with more complicated components. A slow drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil through the food processor brings everything together into a silky, spoonable paste that clings beautifully to pasta, grilled vegetables, or crusty bread. It comes together in minutes and stores easily ā just press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to keep it looking as vivid as it tastes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more āIngredients
6 servings
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- Ā½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Ā½ tsp fine sea salt
- Ā½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Add the mint, basil, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8ā10 times until the herbs are coarsely chopped and the garlic is broken down.
- 2
With the processor running, pour the olive oil through the feed tube in a slow, steady stream until the pesto comes together into a coarse, spoonable paste ā about 20ā30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, then pulse once or twice more to incorporate any remaining herb pieces.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!