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I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of avocados. I usually have to hide them in recipes like chocolate pudding or guacamole.
You’ll never catch me eating one plain.
That’s why I’m so excited about this avocado pesto. It’s a delicious way to enjoy a ripe avocado, without an overwhelming avocado flavor. Use as pasta sauce, a dip for veggies, or a flavorful spread on sandwiches and wraps.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“Super delicious recipe! I love getting so much flavor without all of the extra calories nuts and oil add from other recipes.” -Kris
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Avocado. You’ll want to use a ripe avocado for this recipe, one that is free from brown spots or bruises. It’s best to buy these firm from the store and let it ripen on your counter for a few days, so it won’t get overhandled.
- Fresh Basil. This is key to a delicious pesto sauce, so avoid using dried basil as a substitute. However, you can use other fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, if you’d like to try a variation.
- Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the flavor and hides the avocado taste at the same time.
- Garlic. I like to use two medium-sized garlic cloves for a punch of flavor, but if you’re not a garlic fan, you can reduce this to one.
- Salt. This is essential for the flavor. I’ve included a minimum amount to start with, but you can always add more if you think the pesto is bland.
If you don’t need a dairy-free or vegan recipe, this pesto tastes even more authentic with the addition of Parmesan cheese. I’ve included it in the recipe below for you to try!
How to Make Avocado Pesto
Step 1:
In a high-speed blender, add the avocado, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and water. Secure the lid and blend until the mixture is smooth.
Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Step 2:
Taste the pesto sauce and make any necessary adjustments. For a cheesy pesto sauce, add the optional Parmesan cheese and blend again.
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If you skip the cheese, you may want to season the pesto with a little extra salt or a dash of nutritional yeast.
As soon as you’re happy with the flavor, it’s ready to use.
Serving Suggestions
Use it as a pasta sauce. Serve this creamy pesto over your favorite freshly cooked pasta. It pairs particularly well with sautéed cherry tomatoes and red onion.
Spread it on sandwiches. My favorite vegetarian sandwich is made with a generous spread of pesto sauce, sliced roasted red peppers and tomatoes, and soft goat cheese.
Serve it as a dip. Pour the pesto into a serving bowl and serve with sliced carrots, red bell peppers, and cucumbers. It can also be part of a charcuterie platter with various cheeses and crackers.
Add it to pizza. Pesto makes a more flavorful pizza than regular marinara sauce.
Storage Tips
Leftover pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It may separate when chilled, so stir it well before serving again.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil , tightly packed
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 large ripe avocado (about 7 ounces with peel & pit)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt , plus more to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Add the basil, water, lemon juice, and garlic to a blender or food processor. Secure the lid and process until the mixture looks relatively smooth.
- Next, add the avocado flesh, salt, and Parmesan cheese (if using) and blend again until smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce and add extra salt, if desired. I usually add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt, but that can vary based on the size and flavor of the avocado each time.
- Spoon the avocado pesto sauce over freshly cooked pasta and serve warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours without browning too much, as long as you use the tips in the full post. (See the post above for tips on freezing, too.)
Notes
Update Note: This recipe was updated in February 2024 to add the optional Parmesan cheese. If you prefer the original version, simply omit it!
Nutrition
More Avocado Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Cherry Chocolate Avocado Pudding
- Avocado Chocolate Pudding
- Creamy Avocado Dressing
- Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.
Very easy and tasty, beautiful color. I added some nutritional yeast for flavor and texture. Next time I won’t blend it as smooth. I just used plain spaghetti, which was what I had on hand. Thank you!
We made this last week with zucchini noodles, and the whole family enjoyed the dish. This pesto is so easy to make and tastes delicious!
Absolutely delicious!! Actually like this more than the traditional pesto recipe. I used it over tofu noodles and as a salad dressing. The only change I made was I used only 1/2 garlic clove because I have a sensitive belly. I also tried it with arugula and spinach combined with the basil, Love it!! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Made this for our dairy intolerant son, it was delicious. Great recipe. Quick and easy.
Hi Megan,
I love this pesto recipe here. And I have featured it in our blog post 10 Best Raw Vegan Pesto Recipes in our website Green Thickies.
I haven’t posted the actual recipe, but only a small snippet and one image from this post, and given credits back to you and link back to the recipe page. Is that okay with you?
Thanks a lot 🙂
Katherine
Hi there, Im wanting to use this as a sauce for a “Buddha” bowl i am putting together…however, i want it thinner. would i just thin it with a touch of water or something like olive oil? tia:)
My daughter has a tree nut allergy so she can’t have pine nuts. She also has a dairy sensitivity. We have really missed pesto. Even my son and husband who don’t care for avocado, loved this pesto. Thank you!
Yay! I’m glad you all enjoyed it!
Where is the calorie count per serving
Damn good, and easy! Thank you detoxinista XOXO
About how long does the avocado pesto last in the fridge? I am thinking of making it today but wouldnt eat it until probably Sunday or Monday!