This easy walnut pesto recipe is made with just 5 ingredients for a flavorful sauce! Stirred into greek yogurt, on its own, mixed with some lemon juice or a cream sauce this easy walnut pesto is delicious!

easy walnut pesto recipe served in a small bowl with a gold spoon on a white marble surface with a block of parmesan cheese and basil leaves

Last week my auntie had a party while hanging out in her backyard I saw her overflowing basil plant, naturally I asked if I could clip some! 🙂 She let me take as much as I wanted. There truly is nothing like the smell of fresh basil. Simply delicious. I knew I wanted to make pesto. While I love my Classic Basil Pesto recipe I knew I wanted to experiment with walnuts. I have walnuts almost every morning so I always have a good supply on hand.

What nuts can be used in pesto?

Lots of nuts. While most often people use pine nuts other nuts are swapped in. Most often I see recipes calling for pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and pecans.

Can you put walnuts in pesto?

Totally this recipe uses walnuts, I love the flavor and taste of walnuts so for me this is a win-win.

What can you use instead of basil in pesto?

Lots of people make spinach pesto or kale pesto.

Easy Walnut Pesto Recipe fresh basil just picked sitting in a bowl of water

How do you make walnut pesto?

In a food processor or powerful blender add the parmesan and walnuts. I always grate my parmesan fresh, so much more flavorful. This is my favorite cheese grater and it comes with a container that fits on the bottom for easy storage and grating.

Mix the nuts and cheese for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until the walnuts are blended into very small pieces. Add in basil leaves and garlic. Mix until fully combined.

ingredients all laid out in glass bowl on a white surface

first step of the recipe, walnuts and cheese being blended together in a small food processor next to a bowl of basil leaves, bowl of oil, and garlic

The pesto will be very thick if using a food processor with the mixture on low drizzle in the olive oil if using a blender just add it. You may want more or a little less olive oil depending on how chunky you like your pesto.

walnuts and cheese being blended in a small food processor on a white surface next to a bowl of basil leaves

fresh basil leaves in food processor on a white surface

Can you freeze pesto?

Of course, I often freeze it in small containers so I can have a fresh batch for dinner any day. Once you have made your pesto store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in ice cube tray or mini containers for future use. Using an ice tray is also a great way to store the pesto. Just an FYI If the pesto sits out it will darken in color.

Walnut Pesto being made in a food processor with the lid off on a white surface

Walnut Pesto made and stored in a small square plastic container on a white surface next to a block of cheese, fresh basil leaves, and bowl of pesto

Walnut Pesto stored in a small square plastic container with a blue lid on a white surface next to a block of cheese, fresh basil leaves, and bowl of pesto

Recipes to use this walnut pesto in?

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Recipe Card

Easy Walnut Pesto Recipe

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5 from 2 reviews

Print Recipe

Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 12oz 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

1- 1.5oz Freshly Grated Parmesan
3.5oz Walnuts (mine were roasted, either way, works)
3.5oz Fresh Basil Leaves
1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
5oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Instructions

In a food processor or powerful blender add the parmesan and walnuts. Mix for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until the walnuts are blended into very small pieces. Add in basil leaves and garlic. Mix until fully combined.
The pesto will be very thick if using a food processor with the mixture on low drizzle in the olive oil if using a blender just add it. You may want more or a little less olive oil depending on how chunky you like your pesto. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in ice cube tray or mini containers for future use.