Brazil Nut Free Turmeric-Ginger Mint Pistachio Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto is anything but ordinary — fresh mint and basil come together with raw pistachios, warm turmeric, and bright ginger for a sauce that's bold, aromatic, and completely addictive. The combination of lemon juice and zest keeps everything tasting alive and fresh, while a hint of cayenne adds just enough heat to make you go back for another spoonful. Pistachios give the pesto a buttery richness and a slightly coarser texture than the classic pine nut version, which means it clings beautifully to pasta, grilled vegetables, or crusty bread. Because every ingredient goes straight into the food processor, this comes together in minutes with almost no prep beyond a quick peel and grate of the ginger. Store-bought pesto and nut-based sauces can be a minefield when it comes to hidden ingredients or shared processing lines, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the jar. The finishing trick of pressing a thin layer of olive oil over the surface before sealing keeps the color gorgeous and the flavor fresh for days. It's the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste a little more special.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup raw shelled pistachios
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the mint, basil, pistachios, turmeric, grated ginger, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the herbs are broken down.
- 2
With the processor running, stream in the olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto comes together into a thick, slightly textured paste, about 20–30 seconds. Scrape down the sides once midway through.
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