Keto Pesto Sauce Recipe

My keto pesto sauce is equal parts creamy and herby, made with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. Add it to your low-carb pasta dishes, layer it in a sandwich, or add a healthy dollop to any of your favorite keto meals!

Why you'll love this keto pesto sauce

When it comes to sauce cuisine, basil pesto is top-tier.

There's something about the combination of fresh herbs with high-fat additions like olive oil, cheese, and pine nuts, that makes pesto darn tasty. And you could practically eat my recipe by the spoonful!

Made with high-fat, low-carb ingredients, my keto pesto is the perfect topping for pasta, bakes, veggies, or any dish that needs a bit of herby brightness. The options really are endless!

While store-bought pesto can do in a pinch, it can be filled with added sugars or other high-carb ingredients that just aren't necessary. Plus, you truly can't beat the flavor of homemade pesto sauce.

So today, I'm showing you how to make my favorite keto pesto recipe in just 5 minutes! I'm also including delicious serving suggestions, cooking tips, and fun variations.

Ingredients needed

Here's everything that goes into my keto pesto:

Pine nuts

Pine nuts are good for a keto diet because they provide great flavor and high-fat content while being moderately low in carbs.

100g of pine nuts contains 9g net carbs, so they do need to be eaten in moderation.

Note: For more information on eating nuts on keto, check out my post on The Best Nuts For Keto Diet.

Fresh basil

The bright, herby flavor of pesto we know and love comes from fresh basil leaves. Herbs provide high-value to keto meals, tasting great and adding very few net carbs.

Parmesan cheese

For a cheesy addition, I use grated parmesan cheese in my keto pesto. It mixes well with pine nuts for a rich and creamy taste.

Minced garlic

A bit of minced garlic adds a bite to this pesto, adding a ton of tasty interest.

Olive oil

To thin our pesto while adding a yummy healthy fat, I include extra virgin olive oil in the mix.

Salt and pepper

Because this pesto sauce is made with such high-quality ingredients, it truly only needs salt and pepper to enhance its flavor.

Lemon juice

Finally, lemon juice adds extra acidity. Cutting the high-fat ingredients with lemon juice keeps the sauce from tasting too rich.

Cooking tips

Keto pesto sauce is super simple to make, and you'll get the best results using these tips:

• Pulse the ingredients in your food processor, being careful not to over-blend. This will break down the basil and result in a bitter flavor.
• Add small amounts of olive oil at a time to reach the perfect consistency.
• Adjust the brightness of your sauce using lemon juice, adding an extra squeeze for more acidity.

How to make keto pesto sauce

Ready to learn how to make pesto sauce? Just follow three easy steps:

Measure and blend

First, add pine nuts, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt and pepper, and lemon juice to a food processor.

Then, a half cup of olive oil and blend to combine. Your consistency should be smooth with a bit of texture.

Adjust the consistency

Next, adjust the consistency to your preference. If the pesto sauce is too thick, slowly add more olive oil.

Add and mix until you reach your ideal consistency. 

Store and enjoy keto pesto!

And just like that, your keto pesto sauce is ready to eat!

You can also store your pesto for later use, refrigerating it in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze this pesto in ice cube trays. Simply spoon your sauce into the individual cubes and freeze.

Then, when you're ready to cook, just pop out a pesto block from your ice cube tray and add it directly to your pan!

What to serve with keto pesto sauce

My basil pesto sauce is incredibly versatile for any of your favorite savory meals.

Add it to zucchini noodles or my low-carb egg noodles for delicious keto pasta. Serve with keto garlic breadsticks and top with roasted chicken and plenty of parmesan cheese.

You can also create yummy pesto recipes by using it as a sandwich spread. Try adding pesto to my keto breakfast sandwich or my keto grilled cheese.

It would also majorly elevate my pesto chicken salad wrap, swapping store-bought pesto for a homemade version!

Variations

Here are just a few ways you can jazz up your homemade basil pesto:

• Before processing, add your pine nuts to a pan on low-medium heat, stirring continuously for toasted pine nuts.
• Add chives, parsley, and cilantro for a mixed herb pesto sauce.
• Substitute pine nuts for chopped almonds; this will make a lower-carb pesto.

FAQs

Here are some questions people often ask about my keto pesto sauce recipe. If you don't see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

If you like this keto pesto recipe, try these!

I have so many keto-friendly recipes for you to try. Start with some of these:

• Keto Taco Salad Recipe features seasoned ground beef and fresh greens.
• Unstuffed Pepper Casserole is topped with a thick layer of melty mozzarella cheese.
• Keto Grilled Salmon Recipe is made with a fresh and herby marinade.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe is stuffed with chicken, ham, and mozzarella.
• My Favorite Coconut Shrimp Recipe is gluten-free and perfectly crispy.

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