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Home > Condiments, Sauces & Seasonings > Parsley Pesto

Home > Condiments, Sauces & Seasonings > Parsley Pesto

Parsley Pesto

Last updated April 19, 2023. Originally posted April 18, 2023 By Jyothi Rajesh Leave a Comment

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pesto made using parsley with text

Parsley pesto is a delicious twist on traditional basil pesto. Made with parsley, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.  It’s great for pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and meat.

parsley pesto in bowl
Jump to:
  • Pesto recipe using parsley
  • Ingredients
  • How to make it
  • How to store it
  • Tips
  • Ways to use it
  • Variations
  • 📋Parsley Pesto
  • Recipe Notes

Pesto recipe using parsley

Traditionally pesto that originated from Italy is made in a mortar pestle. Pesto means to pound. All ingredients are pounded in a mortar and pestle so consistency is coarse. It’s a sauce that you can put on almost everything.

Traditionally pesto is made with fresh basil leaves. It doesn’t hurt to use other fresh herbs in place of fresh basil.

This recipe is a twist on a classic pesto recipe; flat-leaf parsley is used instead of basil.

Don’t worry if you don’t have mortar and pestle. Today you will make this recipe using a hand immersion blender or food processor can be used.

Parsley is one of the amazing herbs that you get all year long and it makes a vibrant green sauce. It’s also a powerhouse of nutrition which is packed in Vitamin K, anti-oxidants.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need-

  • Parsley
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Pine nuts
  • Parmesan
  • Lemon juice
  • EVOO
ingredients for pesto with parsley

All ingredients exact measurements are mentioned in recipe card below.

Parsley – I prefer flat-leaf parsley over curly-leaf parsley. Flat-leaf parsley has a more robust flavor and smoother mouthfeel than the curly leaf.

Garlic – use fresh garlic, no garlic powder, please.

Pine nuts – highly recommend you use raw pine nuts, don’t toast them to get creamy pesto sauce. Raw nuts are softer than toasted nuts and help blend smoothly. If you want a nutty flavor, you can toast the nuts.

You can use walnuts for a budget-friendly option. Walnuts are cheaper than pine nuts which are mostly considered exotic.

Lemon juice – always use freshly squeezed lemon juice.             

Parmesan cheese – always buy a Parmesan cheese block and grate it yourself. Pre-grated cheese from the stores usually has chemicals to keep it lumping together.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) – use high-quality EVOO. Olive oil helps the sauce blend smoothly until the ingredients are incorporated.

EVOO is also used while storing the pesto. Pour a thin layer of EVOO on top of the sauce before closing the jar in which pesto is stored.

Seasoning – I prefer pesto seasoned with salt and pepper. Always taste test and adjust seasoning as per taste.

How to make it

Cleaning the herb

Choose fresh green parsley leaves, and discard any yellow and wilted leaves. Pluck leaves from the stem, if the stem is tender, you can leave it on.

Place leaves in a large bowl of water. Rinse it well, and allow the leaves to sit in a bowl of water for a few minutes so the dirt can settle at the bottom. Gently remove leaves, shake off excess water, and place it on a kitchen towel to drain excess water.

Make pesto

To the hand blender jar or food processor add 2 large handfuls of parsley leaf, garlic, salt, pepper, pine nuts, lemon juice, Parmesan, EVOO.

picture collage of pesto with parsley made using hand blender

Blend until it is a pesto consistency – not too smooth, not too coarse.

How to store it

Refrigerate

Pesto will last for a couple of days stored in the refrigerator if stored correctly. Make sure to place pesto in to clean, dry airtight container. Fill the jar ¾, pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on top, and close the container tight. Store refrigerated.

Thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on top prevents the pesto from oxidizing and turn dark.

Freeze

Pesto can be stored for 6 months by freezing it. Pour pesto into ice cube molds, flatten the top, and pop into the freezer until the sauce is set and frozen. Remove it from the ice cube tray and transfer it to the freezer zip lock bags. When you want to use it, remove just the amount you need.

Tips

  • I prefer flat-leaf parsley over curly-leaf parsley. Flat-leaf parsley has a more robust flavor and smoother mouthfeel than the curly leaf. For a milder flavor, use curly-leaf parsley.
  • For budget-friendly options use walnuts instead of pine nuts.
  • Pesto consistency can be adjusted depending on where you want to use it. Keep it slightly coarse and thick if you want to use it as a spread on sandwich.

Ways to use it

Toss pesto with pasta like fettucine, gnocchi or other pasta.

Use it in pasta salad.

Drizzle over pizza, soup or steamed vegetables.

Spread it over toast to make pesto egg avo toast.

Spread on sandwich, burger.

It’s a great topping for steak.

Variations

  1. You can use a mix of parsley and basil leaves to make pesto.
  2. Cilantro can be mixed with parsley.
  3. Spinach pesto is another variation of pesto you can make. Use spinach and basil or spinach and parsley.
  4. Use different nuts like walnuts, and almonds instead of pine nuts.
  5. Add half or one jalapeno to the pesto to make it spicy.
parsley pesto in bowl

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parsley pesto in bowl
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📋Parsley Pesto

Jyothi Rajesh
Parsley pesto is a delicious twist on traditional basil pesto. Made with parsley, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. It’s great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and meat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Course condiments, sauce
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 cup
Calories 553

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large handfuls Parsley
  • 2 big cloves of garlic or 4 small cloves of garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper optional
  • 1 heaped tablespoon pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Choose fresh green parsley leaves, and discard any yellow and wilted leaves. Pluck leaves from the stem, if the stem is tender, you can leave it on.
  • Place parsley leaves in a large bowl of water. Rinse it well, and allow the leaves to sit in a bowl of water for a few minutes so the dirt can settle at the bottom. Gently remove leaves, shake off excess water, and place it on a kitchen towel to drain excess water.
  • To the hand blender jar or food processor add 2 large handfuls of parsley leaf, garlic, salt, pepper, pine nuts, lemon juice, Parmesan, and EVOO.
  • Blend until it is a pesto consistency – not too smooth, not too coarse.

Notes

Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 553kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 1326mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 1mg
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Recipe Notes

  • I prefer flat leaf parsley over curly leaf parsley. Flat leaf parsley has a more robust flavor and smoother mouthfeel than curly leaf. For milder flavor, use curly leaf parsley.
  • For budget-friendly option use walnuts instead of pine nuts.
  • Pesto consistency can be adjusted depending on where you want to use it. Keep is slightly coarse and thick if you want to use it as a spread on sandwich.

Created by Jyothi Rajesh

Thank you for stopping by.

I’m Jyothi Rajesh (Jo for short) and i’m the founder of the food blog, Curry Trail where I share my culinary Adventures. I live in Bangalore, India. I’m a mom of two beautiful kids. My passion is creating and sharing delicious and easy recipes for the home cook. I have been blogging since 2007 and many of my recipes have appeared in both online and print publications over the years. Learn more about Jyothi Rajesh.

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Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

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