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.
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.
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.
Enjoy! And if you give this Cilantro Pesto recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Homemade Cilantro Pesto
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
Buy the Cookbook: Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy Now available on Amazon »
THANK YOU in advance for your support!
Oh gosh… this sounds incredible Laurie!
Ha, I was just like you and hated cilantro. It took me years to learn that I actually love it. I now use it in everything. I actually put it in the chipotle pesto that I posted today.
Cilantro pesto sounds awesome and I cant wait to see how you use!
I have always been a cilantro fiend (and seriously feel bad for those who say it tastes like soap!) and yet have never made a pesto entirely out of it! Need to change that!
You won’t be sorry Gina! 🙂
Cilantro pesto is the reason I live.
I love cilantro pesto!
So refreshing! I love homemade pesto! I’ve never made cilantro pesto but could definitely see using it on top of a Thai dish, or a burger. Or a sandwich. Anywhere, so good!
Seriously the options are ENDLESS! 🙂
Ummm….I am originally from New Mexico and I can make a lot of different Mexican-food-type dishes – but never with cilantro…EVER! We also love a local Mexican food restaurant and there are a couple of things I have ordered that I couldn’t figure out an ingredient that was so WONDERFUL!! In the last MONTH I have figured out – you guessed it- it IS cilantro!!!! Now I have to change my recipes…..
Pesto is seriously good on EVERYTHING! I’m especially loving it on my pizza right now.
I am sort of still on the cilantro hate bandwagon, but this pesto could easily per sway me to jump off! I’ve never had cilantro pesto before. Sounds awesome!
We love cilantro!!! This would be awesome in a pasta salad!
I love your bright colorful photos, and I’m so excited that I found this post because we’re now growing cilantro- and basil!- in our garden. What a great combination of ingredients 🙂
I LOVE cilantro. This looks so good!! Seriously, I can’t wait to try it! Oh and I also can’t toast nuts without sneaking one or two 🙂
Interestingly, it’s a genetic marker that determines whether or not cilantro tastes like soap to a person or not. You either have that gene, or you don’t.
Or at least, that’s what I’ve been told. And I would do the research on it, but I have errands to run, so.
@Sky I heard the same thing, my husband hates cilantro and avocados and I think I could eat them both together every day for every meal!! At least I know there’s something genetically wrong with him and he doesn’t just have bad taste 🙂
I heard the same thing… but it can’t all be true because I got over that soapy taste 🙂
I love cilantro so so so much and I am seriously loving the idea of it in pesto!!
oh my lord. cilantro is a staple in my house! I love it so much! I can only IMAGINE all the amazing things I can make with this! Yes please!!
I was exactly the same with cilantro! but now I absolutely love it and can’t wait to try this recipe!
Wow, I know I could eat this by the spoonful, but won’t because I want to try the Cheesy Chicken & Cilantro Pesto Baked Flautas that you posted today. I am going shopping tonight, so I can make this tomorrow, that is if I don’t eat all the toasted almonds before I make it! 🙂
Love this! Plus I have a bunch of cilantro waiting to be used up!
OMG! Pesto and cilantro are two of my very favorite things! I CANNOT wait to try this recipe. It’s making my mouth water just looking at your photos. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
alright. I want to make hummus. and now this looks amazing. I need a food processor. do you love yours? what kind is it? I’m at a loss of where to start, so I’m skipping straight to you since I love every recipe you post. thanks for keeping my taste buds happy.
Hi Danielle! I have a cheap-o 70$ one {not sure the brand} it’s okay but I’d love a new one. I’d go with one that’s in your budget {they can be super pricey} and I promise you won’t regret it! When I lug it out next I’ll let you know which brand I have currently 🙂
i got a pseudo-expensive one (cusinart $170ish) on sale ($90) with a macy’s gift card. i haven’t used it yet (have all the ingredients for this cilantro pesto in the fridge/pantry), but the how-to DVD was quite entertaining. my toddlers were totally into it. hah! i’m excited!
I have a big bunch of cilantro from my CSA that I’ve been trying to decide what to do with (we get it every week) and this looks amazing! I’m thinking as a topping for grilled chicken…
I used to not love cilantro and discovered over the past few years that I only like really good cilantro. I do notice a taste between organic and not and the farm-fresh is definitely the best. The few times I’ve bought whatever was at the store I’ve regretted it. So if you think you don’t like cilantro, try getting fresh organic cilantro and see if you like it better!
This looks amazing. I’ve just been using cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, & olive oil & processing the whole thing into a sauce. Then I freeze it in ice cube trays & plop a few cubes into my homemade chicken soup or Ramen. But this looks WAY better. It’s an actual Pesto & could be used in so many more ways. It could probably be frozen too. Living in Southern California we are surrounded by Mexican markets & cilantro is usually .25 to .33 a bunch so I would probably double or triple this recipe & freeze it.
I’m a baker and I hate sugar. LOL (FYI: I at one point had a love affair with sugar but it “burned” me & now I can’t go back.)
hahah love it! 🙂
Thank you! I needed a vehicle for getting quantities of cilantro into me to detox the mercury from my system. This is it! I never was a fan of cilantro soap but this combination utilizes its sensitivities with well matched partners.
Pingback: November 13th& 14th bag items! | O`ahu Fresh
Pingback: Post 73 – Cilantro Pesto | Erin Eating Everything
Pingback: DIY Mother’s Day gift: mini pesto set | Slice of Sunny
Hi – I loved the look of your recipe and made it as part of a DIY gift for mother’s day this year! I wrote about it here: http://sliceofsunny.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/diy-mothers-day-gift-mini-pesto-set/
I have some leftovers in my own fridge that I can’t wait to use up! 🙂 x
I love cilantro, I have a garden full of it! This looks delish! Will try this!
I had 2 bunches of cilantro that I needed to use ASAP. I found your recipe on Pinterest. This was really good. I’m so glad I tried it. I mixed half slivered almonds and half pine nuts, because I didn’t have enough of either. I also added 1/4 t. chipotle chili powder and 2 more garlic cloves. I then froze the pesto in an ice cube tray (1 tablespoon per section). Thank you for posting.
Photos are gorgeous! Thanks
Thank you Barbara!
Pingback: 9 Best Grilling Spices and Tips for Usage – GleamItUp
Pingback: nourishyourlight » Mercury Detox
Seriously, don’t feel bad about not liking cilantro, I heard it’s in your genes. There’s a certain gene that makes it taste off to some people At first, i couldn’t understand how anyone could not like it. I love it to death. But i understand now. 🙂
How much (in weight, or cups) is ‘2 bunches’ of cilantro? I buy mine from an organic farmer, and he just puts it into a bag!!
Hi Linda! I would say it’s about 4 cups. Enjoy!
hi! i made cilantro pesto last night and although it is yummy, i really can’t taste the cilantro? any ideas as to why?
Hmmm I actually don’t! I know it gets mellowed out a bit with everything else it has going on… so strange!
Pingback: 16 Things You Can Turn Into Pesto | 70king.com
Pingback: 16 Things You Can Turn Into Pesto | awesome viral content
Pingback: Quick and Easy Pesto – Fit n' Fancy Mag
Pingback: Quick and Easy Pesto | Fit N' Fancy
Pingback: FOTM: Basil in Pesto – Well Seasoned
Wish I saw this a month ago when my cilantro plant was out of control. I’ve struggled almost every year growing cilantro and this year it survived and left me totally unprepared to use it! I love your measuring cups (pictured with the olive oil). Could you please share where you got them?
Molly I’ve also struggled growing cilantro! Tell me your ways!! The measuring cups I bought at Pier 1 Imports, I’m not sure if they still carry them or not but they usually have really cool nesting measuring cups, so hopefully you find some you like! <3
Pingback: Pesto Sweet Potatoes – sweetbettysblog
Pingback: Cilantro Pesto Recipe – 07Recipes
Pingback: 16 Cosas que puedes convertir en pesto | SEEKWHITE VIRAL