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Homemade Pesto in a Blender

bowl of green pesto

Can you use a blender instead of a food processor for pesto?

Short answer, yes. One of my favorite summer sauces is Homemade Pesto in a Blender. Why use a blender? Because I hate pulling out my food processor, and my blender is always out and ready for use (I am a lazy cook!).

My mom always plants basil in her herb garden in the summer, so she always has a ton of fresh basil to use up. The best thing about pesto though is you don’t have to just use basil. You can add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley… the options are endless.

I love topping my pizzas with pesto, using it as a spread on sandwiches, and of course pouring it over a big bowl of pasta!

How to make Homemade Pesto in a Blender:

  1. Dump basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon, garlic and salt into a blender.
  2. Pulse the blender while slowly pouring in the olive oil.
  3. Blend for another 30 seconds or so, until everything is thoroughly combined.

Here are some other ingredients you could add or swap out:

  • Add a handful of spinach or kale
  • Swap out pine nuts for walnuts, pecans, or almonds
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes

What can I use instead of pine nuts in pesto?

If you are not a fan of pine nuts, you can substitute them for any other nut! Some of my favorites are pecans or walnuts.

If you love this recipe I would love to know! You can rate this recipe and leave a comment, and tag a photo on Instagram @hungrywaitress! Here’s the recipe:


Print

Homemade Pesto in a Blender

bowl of green pesto

★★★★★

4.8 from 5 reviews

Making Homemade Pesto in a Blender is an easy way to enjoy this summery sauce. Enjoy Pesto over pasta, sandwiches, or pizza! It’s so versatile.

  • Author: The Hungry Waitress
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed basil leaves, if you don’t have enough basil, you can mix in spinach or parsley
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • Juice of one lemon
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, optional
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Dump the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon, garlic and salt into a blender.
  2. Pulse the blender while slowly pouring in the olive oil.
  3. Blend for another 30 seconds or so, until everything is thoroughly combined.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

What should you serve with pesto?

Top this Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Zucchini and Mushroom Pasta (to make this pesto vegan just skip the Parmesan Cheese)

This is a quick vegan weeknight dinner recipe. This healthy recipe is hearty you won’t even realize it’s vegan.

Or this Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Artichokes!

Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Artichokes

Or this Easy Chicken Pesto

Easy Chicken Pesto is a great weeknight dinner. This pesto pasta is a 30 minute dinner, and it’s a crowd pleaser!


22 Comments

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Comments

  1. ruben sainz says

    July 12, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    Excellent, I’m also a lazy cook, thanks for the receipe

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      July 13, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  2. Debbie says

    July 19, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    I just made this in my blender, it worked! I excitedly bought all the ingredients for pesto but later dreaded pulling out my giant food processor. I roughly chopped my basil & nuts (I used walnut) before adding them to blender. I needed my rubber spatula to work the leaves down after each of the first few pulses before it would really catch. Thank you for letting me leave my food processor hidden away.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      July 20, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      Haha! I feel the same way about my food processor… that’s why I throw everything in the blender!

      Reply
  3. Tom says

    October 19, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    Juice of one small lemon was just perfect

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      November 6, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      Good! Thank you!

      Reply
  4. notafanofcookingbutmustlearn says

    February 15, 2019 at 8:46 am

    Made alot of pesto before and none was really that amazing. this recipe was a knock out! Love it so much! Thank you! Added juice of 1/2 of a lemon and some garlic and it was perfection.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      February 16, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Sharon Cooper says

    April 28, 2019 at 4:19 am

    Can I freeze

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      June 10, 2019 at 8:47 pm

      Yes! You can freeze this pesto for about 3-4 months

      Reply
  6. jackie says

    May 7, 2019 at 11:02 am

    How hard was it to clean the blender? I have a vitamax but only use it for smoothies.

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      June 10, 2019 at 8:49 pm

      It’s not too bad. I have a Ninja and it only takes a few minutes to rinse out and clean. I do make sure to get all of the olive oil out using a paper towel.

      Reply
  7. Chelsea says

    May 14, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    How many servings does this make? Will it be enough for about 9 servings of pasta?

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      May 23, 2020 at 1:22 pm

      I’d say it’s enough for one pound of pasta (which is four servings) … if you like a lot of sauce. A trick I use if I don’t have enough sauce is reserve a cup of the pasta water before you drain it, and add it to the pasta after you toss it with the sauce. It will spread the sauce a little farther.

      Reply
  8. Barbara Tocco says

    June 6, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    Had lots of Spring mix lettuces and some leftover basil leaves. Toasted pine nuts first on stove. Finally after all in blender it finally started blending! Delicious and added some smoked sea salt and 3 cloves garlic! Will freeze! Thank you for inspiration!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      June 7, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      Yum! You’re welcome!

      Reply
  9. Marilyn Levy says

    July 20, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    Great and easy recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  10. Rutvik says

    October 9, 2020 at 6:46 am

    It is looks healthy with the organic and real taste. Made alot of pesto before and none was really that amazing. this recipe was a knock out!. Can you please share more with us?

    Reply
    • thehungrywaitress says

      October 10, 2020 at 11:49 am

      Yes! Thank you

      Reply
  11. Vrushali says

    October 19, 2020 at 8:00 am

    I tried this recipe and it’s delicious and organic. I never tried this type of pesto. his really increase my knowledge about this Looking forward to such helpful and lovely recipes.

    Reply
  12. Ruhanika says

    November 10, 2020 at 5:57 am

    I tried this recipe as well as it’s scrumptious and also natural. I never tried this sort of pesto. his truly raise my expertise concerning this Expecting such valuable and wonderful recipes.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Leanna Myers

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Leanna here, and I love simple, straight forward recipes using practical everyday ingredients! Take a look around for some inspiration.

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