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    Home » Dips, Dressings, and Sauces » Keto Pesto

    Keto Pesto

    Published: Jan 18, 2020 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Jan 18, 2020 · 916 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

    • 424
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Photo collage of two photos of pesto with the text "Keto Pesto" in the center.

    You are going to go wild for this delicious Keto Pesto! It literally the best pesto I've ever had. Packed with garlicky goodness, toasted pecans, basil, and a bit of lemon juice, this is a recipe you are going to want to keep on hand. It is perfect to make Pesto Chicken, Pesto Pizza, to serve over zoodles, or even to toss with veggies. With zero net carbs per serving!

    Overheat photo of Keto Pesto sitting on a rustic plate garnished with basil with a spoon sitting beside it.
    This Low Carb Pesto is one you are going to want to keep on hand!

    Keto Pesto is One You Won't Want to Be Without!

    Few things are as versatile as pesto sauce.

    Pre-keto, I loved it over pasta. These days, I may be eating zoodles instead, but the love is still there. It is also fabulous on pizza, burgers, lasagna, chicken, or steak. Heck, I’ve even been known to drizzle it over eggs. (You have to try that one - so good!)

    Made with simple ingredients, it packs a robust flavor that carries so many different types of dishes. (Remember - the taste is intense so you don’t want to drown a meal in it in the same way as you would something like Alfredo sauce.)

    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    I had never made Pecan Pesto before, and I was blown away by how much I loved this. I initially tried it with pecans because they are one of the lowest carb nuts, but I’ll keep making it this way for the flavor.

    I love garlic, and if you are like me, you may want to add another clove or two to give it a bit more bite.

    Overheat photo of Keto Pest in a small glass jar garnished with basil and sitting on a plate with a spoon beside it.
    You won't believe how something so easy to make can be so flavor-packed!

    Tips for Making This Recipe

    • If you want a pesto that stays bright green for days and that is less intense than raw basil pesto, try blanching the basil. To do this, place the basil in a heatproof strainer and then briefly dip into boiling water and then follow by an ice bath. Spread between two clean dish towels and blot dry.
    • If you don't have a blender, a food processor also works here. An immersion blender is another option, but I find it much easier with a blender or food processor.

    Storing Pecan Pesto

    This recipe will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. (Pesto with unblanched basil can get a bit darker kept in the fridge but it is still good to eat. I kept this for 5 days and did not experience this, but I have had it happen before.)

    Freezing Pesto

    Pesto freezes beautifully and is fabulous to have on hand for a quick meal. You can freeze it in any freezer-safe container, but my favorite way is to freeze it in an ice cube tray. You can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, or you can heat it over low in a saucepan straight from frozen. A microwave is also an option, but it will likely splatter a bit.

    Variations for Keto Pesto Sauce

    • If you prefer, you can use toasted pine nuts in place of the pecans.
    • Substitute parsley for the pesto and add in two tablespoons of capers.
    • Add ¼ cup each of fresh oregano and mint
    • Omit the Parmesan to make this recipe dairy-free. (It will still be great - promise.)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you eat pesto on keto?

    Absolutely! Almost all pesto sauces will be keto-friendly, but as always, it is essential to read labels. Some may contain ingredients that you are better off without, so this is a step you should never skip.

    How many carbs are in pesto?

    The amount will vary by the ingredients and by the type of nut used. Since pecans are among the lowest carb nuts, this recipe is very low in carbs with less than one net carb per serving.

    How do you use pesto?

    • Pesto Chicken
    • Pesto Pizza
    • Over Zucchini Noodles
    • On top of Broiled Tomatoes
    • Chicken Salad
    • Tossed with Vegetables

    Tools to Make This Recipe

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn From Qualifying Sales

    • Blender
    Side photo of low carb pesto in a glass jar sitting on a plate with a spoon by it on a dark background.

    You May Also Like:

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    • Making your own condiments on keto just makes sense. This Low Carb Ketchup is sheer perfection.
    • My freezer is never without this Keto Marinara. Make it once and you will understand why.
    • Keto BBQ Sauce is so ridiculously flavorful that you may never go back to store-bought.
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Overheat photo of Keto Pest in a small glass jar garnished with basil and sitting on a plate with a spoon beside it.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Keto Pesto

    You are going to go nuts for this delicious Keto Pesto! It literally the best pesto I've ever had! Packed with garlicky goodness, toasted pecans, basil, and a bit of lemon juice, this is a recipe you are going to want to keep on hand. It is perfect to make Pesto Chicken, to serve over zoodles, or even to toss with veggies.
    Prep Time7 mins
    Total Time7 mins
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Garlicky
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 119.3kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

    Equipment

    • High Speed Blender

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups fresh basil
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ⅓ cup pecans toasted and cooled
    • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese shredded
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a food processor or blender, combine basil, garlic, olive oil, pecans, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.
      Photo of the ingredients for Keto Pesto in a blender.
    • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • Process until smooth.
    • Add water until the desired consistency is reached.
    • Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.98g | Protein: 2.11g | Fat: 12.23g | Saturated Fat: 2.19g | Cholesterol: 3.21mg | Sodium: 76.14mg | Potassium: 27.42mg | Fiber: 0.33g | Sugar: 0.23g | Vitamin A: 247.9IU | Vitamin C: 1.84mg | Calcium: 65.85mg | Iron: 0.28mg

    Keto Recipes that Use Pesto To Try:

    • Keto Lasagna is a delicious dinner recipe that the whole family is going to love.
    • Pesto Shrimp Zoodles take just 15 minutes to make and are such a flavor-packed meal!
    First Published: April 18, 2019... Last Updated: Jan 18, 2020
    « 35 Keto Super Bowl Recipes
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    • 424

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Victoria Ann Firlds

      September 06, 2019 at 11:02 pm

      5 stars
      Used radish leaves and hazelnuts others use same recipe. Delicious!

      Reply
    2. TAMMIE

      November 06, 2019 at 2:01 am

      Nice keto recipe. Where's the carb count?

      Reply
    3. Bonnie

      February 23, 2021 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Love this Pesto! I’ve never made homemade Pesto before I tried this recipe and it is worth making again! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        March 03, 2021 at 11:11 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Deborah

      June 20, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Very good! 1st time making it, very easy.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        June 20, 2021 at 3:00 pm

        So glad that you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Dylan

      January 09, 2023 at 8:33 pm

      Do the nutrition facts count for one serving or the entire recipe?

      Reply

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    Welcome

    I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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