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Quick & Easy Mint Pesto

★★★★★★★★★★
4.8 stars, average of 4 ratings

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I’ve been buying a spicy mint chimichurri at the farmer’s market lately that I’ve been putting on everything from salads, sandwiches, to tacos, to curry. It’s GOOD.

I thought it was about time to recreate a version of that and while this one isn’t spicy you could definitely spice it up by adding in a serrano pepper.

Don’t be intimidated by the mint flavor if you’re not used to pairing it with savory dishes as it goes with just about anything, especially lamb. You can use almonds or feel free to swap them out for pine nuts or even macadamia nuts. Sunflower seeds also work well for a nut-free pesto.

Hands-on Overall

Serving size 1 tbsp/ 15 g/ 0.5 oz

Allergy information for Quick & Easy Mint Pesto

✔  Gluten free
✔  Dairy free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Nightshade free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Coconut free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Nutritional values (per 1 tbsp/ 15 g/ 0.5 oz)

Net carbs0.6 grams
Protein0.5 grams
Fat8.9 grams
Calories84 kcal
Calories from carbs 3%, protein 2%, fat 95%
Total carbs1.1 gramsFiber0.6 gramsSugars0.1 gramsSaturated fat1.2 gramsSodium60 mg(3% RDA)Magnesium8 mg(2% RDA)Potassium39 mg(2% EMR)

Ingredients (makes about 1 1/4 cups/ 300 ml)

  • 2 cups packed mint leaves (100 g/ 3.5 oz)
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds or sunflower seeds (25 g/ 0.9 oz)
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • zest of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tsp)
  • 3/4 cup olive oil (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)
  • sea salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 to 2 jalapeño or serrano peppers, seeds and veins removed

Instructions

  1. Place the mint, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely minced. With the machine running slowly stream in the olive oil.
    Quick & Easy Mint Pesto
  2. Season with salt to taste. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze in small manageable portions (e.g. in an ice cube tray) for up to 3 months. Quick & Easy Mint Pesto

Mint Pesto
Step by Step

★★★★★★★★★★
4.8 stars, average of 4 ratings
Mint Pesto
Simple dairy-free pesto made with fresh mint, garlic, lemon zest, almonds and olive oil. Perfect with lamb, steak and chicken dishes!
Hands on5m
Overall5m
Servings20
Calories84 kcal
Pin it

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed mint leaves (100 g/ 3.5 oz)
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds or sunflower seeds (25 g/ 0.9 oz)
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • zest of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tsp)
  • 3/4 cup olive oil (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)
  • sea salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 to 2 jalapeño or serrano peppers, seeds and veins removed

Instructions

  1. Place the mint, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely minced. With the machine running slowly stream in the olive oil.
  2. Season with salt to taste. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze in small manageable portions (e.g. in an ice cube tray) for up to 3 months.

Nutrition (per serving, 1 tbsp/ 15 g/ 0.5 oz)

Calories84kcal
Net Carbs0.6g
Carbohydrates1.1g
Protein0.5g
Fat8.9g
Saturated Fat1.2g
Fiber0.6g
Sugar0.1g
Sodium60mg
Magnesium8mg
Potassium39mg

Detailed nutritional breakdown (per 1 tbsp/ 15 g/ 0.5 oz)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Total per 1 tbsp/ 15 g/ 0.5 oz
0.6 g0.5 g8.9 g84 kcal
Mint, fresh
0.3 g0.2 g0 g4 kcal
Almonds, nuts, blanched and slivered
0.1 g0.3 g0.7 g8 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.1 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Lemon zest (peel), fresh
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Olive oil, extra virgin
0 g0 g8.1 g72 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Pepper, black, spices
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal

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Lauren Lester
Creator of Healthful Creative

Lauren Lester

Lauren is a food photographer, recipe developer, and author.

She is the founder of the creative content agency, Healthful Creative. HC specializes in helping food centered brands share their story through recipe development + food photography.

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