An easy, homemade Cilantro Pesto of fresh cilantro, toasted almonds, cheese and garlic. Delicious tossed with shredded chicken and rolled into flautas or as a spread on toasted bread rounds. Use as a topping for fish, chicken or steak. The options are endless.

Cilantro Pesto l SimplyScratch.com #easy #homemade #cilantro #pesto #herbs #condiment

At one point in my life I despised cilantro.

I was one of those who thought it tasted soapy. But I wanted so badly to love it. So, I started adding it into recipes like pico de gallo and in homemade salsa and before long I realized I no longer hated it.

Plus, how can I have a food blog and not like cilantro? It’s like a baker not liking sugar. Years later, I love it and use it all.the.time. And it definitely doesn’t taste like soap to me anymore.

To Make This Cilantro Pesto Recipe You Will Need:

  • cilantro
  • toasted almonds
  • garlic
  • Cotija cheese or parmesan
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper (optional)
  • lime juice
  • olive oil

What I really like about this pesto is that it doesn’t call for basil. Ha-ha… I know why would it? But what I mean is that when making a basil pesto you need A LOT of basil and well, unless you grow it, you’ll be spending mucho dinero. Cilantro is inexpensive at under 2 dollars a bunch, so making cilantro pesto is a whole heck of a lot cheaper, but just as delicious.

In a dry skillet, measure and add 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds. Blanched or with the skins on, either are fine. Toast over medium heat until the almonds start to turn golden and smell warm and nutty.

Once toasted, transfer them to a small dish and set aside to cool.

Trim the thick stems off 2 bunches of fresh cilantro. Wash well and then dry. A salad spinner works great for this.

Add the cilantro into the bowl of your food processor, fitted with the blade attachment.

Throw 1 smashed clove of garlic, the cooled toasted almonds 3 tablespoons cotija or parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of black pepper (optional).

Squeeze in the juice of 1 whole lime.

Lastly, pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of olive oil. Depending on how thick or thin you prefer it.

Secure the lid and process until finely minced. Scrape down the sides and replace the lid.

Continue to process until desired consistency.

Cilantro Pesto l SimplyScratch.com #easy #homemade #cilantro #pesto #herbs #condiment

In my opinion, cilantro pesto isn’t as cilantro-y as you would think.

It does taste like cilantro however the toasted almonds, garlic and cheese really balances out the flavors. Use this pesto in chicken flautas or toss with cabbage slaw for topping tacos. You won’t be sorry.

Cilantro Pesto l SimplyScratch.com #easy #homemade #cilantro #pesto #herbs #condiment

Enjoy! And if you give this Cilantro Pesto recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Cilantro Pesto l SimplyScratch.com #easy #homemade #cilantro #pesto #herbs #condiment

Cilantro Pesto l SimplyScratch.com #easy #homemade #cilantro #pesto #herbs #condiment
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Yield: 20 servings

Homemade Cilantro Pesto

Fresh cilantro whipped into pesto with a little toasted almonds, cheese and garlic. Delicious tossed with shredded chicken and rolled into flautas or as a spread on toasted bread rounds. Use as a topping for fish, chicken or steak. The options are endless. Recipe yields approximately 1¼ cup.

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches cilantro, about 7 ounces total
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 3 tablespoons cotija, or parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled (garlic lovers use 2 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed

Instructions 

  • Trim the tough ends off of the bunches of cilantro. Wash and dry well. A salad spinner works great here.
  • Heat a small, dry skillet with the almonds over medium to medium-low heat. Toast until golden and fragrant, tossing often. Once golden, remove to a clean dish to cool.
  • In the bowl of your food processor add the cilantro, toasted almonds, cheese, garlic, kosher salt, lime juice and olive oil*.
  • Pulse until coarsely ground, scrape down the sides and continue to process until smooth or desired consistency.
  • Remove and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

*Start with 1/4 cup of olive oil, adding more until you've reached a desired consistency.
Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 48kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 145mg, Potassium: 29mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 66IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg