• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Show Me the Yummy

  • Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Appetizers
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • About
  • Income
This Avocado Pesto Recipe is vegan, gluten free, oil free, and oh yeah, absolutely delicious! Packed with fresh herbs, garlic, pistachios, nutritional yeast, and more! showmetheyummy.com
Avocado Pesto Recipe
#ad This Arugula Walnut Pesto comes together in a matter of minutes and is so versatile. Loaded with arugula, basil, cilantro (or whatever herbs you have on hand), walnuts, garlic, parmesan, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil! Quick. Easy. Delicious! showmetheyummy.com Made in partnership w/ @CAWalnuts #pesto #pizza
Arugula Walnut Pesto Recipe
This simple Pesto Pasta Salad is loaded with pasta shells, fresh pesto, salty bacon, crumbly feta, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cashews! showmetheyummy.com
Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
plate of sun dried tomato pesto on pasta with side salad held
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich on plate
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto dark blue background
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto
Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Easy, healthy, delicious summer food at it's finest! Only seven ingredients necessary! showmetheyummy.com #grilled #shrimp
Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe
A lightened up version of potato leek soup, this Cauliflower Leek Soup Recipe is made in the crockpot, has about 100 calories per cup, and is so cozy! showmetheyummy.com #crockpot #cauliflower
Cauliflower Leek Soup Recipe
My favorite Mother's Day Recipes! All light, fresh, and springy for brunch, dinner, dessert, & of course, drinks... because sometimes mama needs a cocktail! showmetheyummy.com #mothersdayrecipes #springrecipes
Pesto Risotto with Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
ThisΒ Mediterranean Cauliflower White Bean Dip Recipe is like a veggie packed hummus! Roasted cauliflower is blended with white beans, olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and spices: salt, pepper, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme! Gluten Free. Can be vegan! showmetheyummy.com #healthy #whitebeandip #roastedcauliflower #vegan #glutenfree
Mediterranean Cauliflower White Bean Dip Recipe
People Also Viewed
This Avocado Pesto Recipe is vegan, gluten free, oil free, and oh yeah, absolutely delicious! Packed with fresh herbs, garlic, pistachios, nutritional yeast, and more! showmetheyummy.com
Avocado Pesto Recipe
#ad This Arugula Walnut Pesto comes together in a matter of minutes and is so versatile. Loaded with arugula, basil, cilantro (or whatever herbs you have on hand), walnuts, garlic, parmesan, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil! Quick. Easy. Delicious! showmetheyummy.com Made in partnership w/ @CAWalnuts #pesto #pizza
Arugula Walnut Pesto Recipe
This simple Pesto Pasta Salad is loaded with pasta shells, fresh pesto, salty bacon, crumbly feta, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cashews! showmetheyummy.com
Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
plate of sun dried tomato pesto on pasta with side salad held
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich on plate
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto dark blue background
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto
Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Easy, healthy, delicious summer food at it's finest! Only seven ingredients necessary! showmetheyummy.com #grilled #shrimp
Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe
A lightened up version of potato leek soup, this Cauliflower Leek Soup Recipe is made in the crockpot, has about 100 calories per cup, and is so cozy! showmetheyummy.com #crockpot #cauliflower
Cauliflower Leek Soup Recipe
My favorite Mother's Day Recipes! All light, fresh, and springy for brunch, dinner, dessert, & of course, drinks... because sometimes mama needs a cocktail! showmetheyummy.com #mothersdayrecipes #springrecipes
Pesto Risotto with Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
ThisΒ Mediterranean Cauliflower White Bean Dip Recipe is like a veggie packed hummus! Roasted cauliflower is blended with white beans, olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and spices: salt, pepper, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme! Gluten Free. Can be vegan! showmetheyummy.com #healthy #whitebeandip #roastedcauliflower #vegan #glutenfree
Mediterranean Cauliflower White Bean Dip Recipe
Slightly crispy exterior with perfectly fluffy centers, and smothered in butter and spices, these Roasted Breakfast Potatoes are quick, EASY, and completely addicting. showmetheyummy.com
Roasted Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
holding a glass jar full of chimichurri
Chimichurri

Home Recipes Sauces & Dressings Cilantro Pesto Recipe

Cilantro Pesto Recipe

by Jennifer Debth January 18, 2016
88 Comments
4.98 from 37 votes
JUMP TO RECIPE
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

A fun twist on classic pesto, this cilantro pesto recipe is quick and easy, completely delicious, and is full of limes, roasted cashews, garlic, parmesan, and of course, cilantro! This is great over pasta, chicken…anything!

Cilantro pesto in a bowl with spoonIt’s Meatless Monday over here at Show Me the Yummy and I’m not missing meat one little bit. Why? Because I have cilantro pesto, that’s why, and cilantro pesto > everything!

Quick Navigation
  • General
  • Ingredients
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

Actually this cilantro pesto would be great over chicken…

but that’s for another time, another blog post.

This cilantro pesto recipe is so good in fact, that I’ve made it THREE times since Friday. Mainly, because one was a test batch, the second was for a video (did you follow us on Periscope?!), and the last was for a photoshoot. πŸ˜‰

Ok fine. I could’ve gotten away with only making it TWO times, but it’s like reeeeeally good pesto, guys.

This cilantro pesto was happily scooped up with crackers, smothered over pasta, and yes, licked off the bottom of the bowl, because the only one around to judge me was Teddy. πŸ˜‰

Cilantro Pesto. It’s a thing. A really good thing.

Pesto on noodles in bowl

Spoonful of pesto

Sooo a long time ago, I made a roasted pistachio pesto for the blog <– if you haven’t made it, doooooo it, it’s yummy. πŸ™‚ I love pesto. I love the flavor and you could literally put it on anything and I’d eat it… bread, crackers, cheese…whatever.

My only complaint about pesto is that it typically includes pines nuts – which I never have on hand – and basil – which is so.darn.expensive. Trevor and I actually had a basil plant at one point, and I’m not pointing any fingers, but s.o.m.e.o.n.e. definitely killed it while Trevor and I were on vacation. πŸ˜‰

Now, anytime I want to make pesto, I have to go buy a box of packaged basil that I swear to you costs $1000 and half of it somehow always ends up rotten and gross before IΒ get home from the grocery store.

My solution? Forget the basil and replace it with my beloved cilantro.

Oh, I should apologize right now to all my cilantro haters. I’m sorry. I know some of you think cilantro tastes like soap, but IΒ β™‘ it. Have no fear, cilantro haters, like I saidΒ πŸ‘†, go check out that roasted pistachio pesto.

Roasted pistachios on baking sheetBefore we get to the making of this cilantro pesto recipe, we need to roast our nuts. Today, I’m using cashews. Honestly, I picked cashews, because that’s whatΒ I had on hand, but in the end, I absolutely loved the flavor it added to the pesto.

Whatever you do, don’t skip roasting the cashews…roasting the nut really adds depth of flavor and you know, gives them a nice roasty flavor. πŸ˜‰ I promise it only takes about 5-8 minutes… so it’s worth it!

Once you’ve roasted your cashews (I’ll tell you how in the recipe belowΒ πŸ‘‡), all we need to do is throw a few things into our food processor.

All you need is cilantro, garlic, your roasted cashews, lime juice, and parmesan. Pulse that together until smooth.

Cilantro pesto in a bowl with spoonNow scrape down the sides of your food processor.

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in your olive oil. I use somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 cups of oil…the choice is yours, depending on how thick you like your cilantro pesto!

All that’s left to do is season it with plenty of salt.

How to use your pesto? That’s up to you! I love this pesto over whole wheat pasta for a nice Meatless Monday dinner, but this is also great over chicken, as a dipping sauce for bread…and don’t even get me started on how much I love this with goat cheese and crackers.

This cilantro pesto recipe is ready within minutes, packed with flavor, and is so versatile!

Bowl of pesto aboveCilantro Pesto for.the.win.Β β™‘

– Jennifer

A fun twist on classic pesto, this cilantro pesto recipe is quick and easy, completely delicious, and is full of limes, roasted cashews, garlic, parmesan, and of course, cilantro! This is great over pasta, chicken…anything! showmetheyummy.com #pesto #vegetarian

Cilantro Pesto Recipe

4.98 from 37 votes
A fun twist on classic pesto, this cilantro pesto recipe is quick and easy, completely delicious, and is full of limes, roasted cashews, garlic, parmesan, and of course, cilantro! This is great over pasta, chicken...anything!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Yield: 16 tablespoons
Print Pin Rate Recipe

Equipment for this recipe

Vitamix Buy Now →
Food Processor Buy Now →
See all equipment See all equipment
(equipment shown are affiliate links)

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 2 cups packed cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ΒΌ cup roasted cashews* unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • Β½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • β…“ - β…” cup oil until desired consistency is reached**
  • salt to taste***

Recipe Video

Instructions

  • Place cilantro, garlic, roasted cashews, lime juice, and parmesan into a food processor.
  • Pulse until smooth and scrape down the sides.
  • With your food processor running, slowly pour in your oil until your desired consistency has been reached.
  • Season with salt, pulse to combine, and serve with pasta, cheese and crackers, etc.
  • Store in the refrigerator.
  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
Rate This Recipe Pin Recipe
STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:5-7 Days
Freezer:9-12 Months
Reheat:If frozen, let thaw in fridge
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

Nutritional information calculates using .5 cups oil.Β 
*To roast cashews: preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place cashews on an unlined, rimmed baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven until cashews are fragrant and golden, about 4-8 minutes. Stir halfway through to avoid burnt spots.
**I use extra virgin olive oil, but if you want a less pronounced oil flavor, use a more neutral oil like canola. Also, I typically use somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 cup oil...it's up to you!
***Be sure to taste and re-season! Salt is important! πŸ™‚

People Also Viewed

This Avocado Pesto Recipe is vegan, gluten free, oil free, and oh yeah, absolutely delicious! Packed with fresh herbs, garlic, pistachios, nutritional yeast, and more! showmetheyummy.com
Total Time
5 min
9 Reviews / 5.0 Average
Avocado Pesto Recipe
#ad This Arugula Walnut Pesto comes together in a matter of minutes and is so versatile. Loaded with arugula, basil, cilantro (or whatever herbs you have on hand), walnuts, garlic, parmesan, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil! Quick. Easy. Delicious! showmetheyummy.com Made in partnership w/ @CAWalnuts #pesto #pizza
Total Time
20 min
1 Reviews / 5.0 Average
Arugula Walnut Pesto Recipe
This simple Pesto Pasta Salad is loaded with pasta shells, fresh pesto, salty bacon, crumbly feta, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cashews! showmetheyummy.com
Total Time
20 min
Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
plate of sun dried tomato pesto on pasta with side salad held
Total Time
15 min
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich on plate
Total Time
10 min
2 Reviews / 5.0 Average
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto dark blue background
Total Time
15 min
How to Make Easy Homemade Basil Pesto

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Pesto Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoon)
Calories 88 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 51mg2%
Potassium 25mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 160IU3%
Vitamin C 0.9mg1%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: cilantro, healthy, pasta sauce
Enjoy this recipe?
Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Jennifer Debth

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Healthy, Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Vegetarian

Reader Interactions

Subscribe

Sign up to get recipes delivered to your inbox and our Free All-Stars e-cookbook

    Leave a Comment/Rating Cancel reply

    Include to be notified of replies

    Rate this Recipe




    Filter Comments
    All Comments 0 Questions 0 Reviews
  1. Richard

    Long Island City, New York

    January 5, 2024 at 8:09 am

    5 stars Tasty, easy, and versatile!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 6, 2024 at 9:27 am

      Thanks Richard!
  2. Anonymous

    United Kingdom

    August 7, 2023 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    Atlanta, Georgia

    July 20, 2023 at 6:54 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  4. Cate

    Ancaster, Ontario

    July 5, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    5 stars This is SOOOO good!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 10, 2023 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks Cate!
  5. Ash

    United States

    May 27, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars I had an amazing Cilantro pesto pasta in Genoa, Italy this past week. By far my favorite meal on my Euro trip. I used this recipe, but subbed the olive oil for butter and used water from my boiled pasta to thin it out. It’s almost an exact match! Next time, I think I’ll add a little bit of heavy cream and it should be on point.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 28, 2023 at 9:32 am

      I’ll have to try this with butter and heavy cream…yum!
  6. Linda

    United States

    May 20, 2023 at 7:15 pm

    5 stars Can you freeze this?
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 21, 2023 at 12:52 pm

      Yep πŸ™‚
  7. Kitty

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    July 25, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    5 stars So green and fresh tasting! If you like cilantro you can just skip basil pesto.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      Thanks Kitty!
  8. Anonymous

    United States

    November 10, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  9. Londa

    Pensacola, Florida

    August 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Hi Jennifer, this looks fabulous and I’m looking forward to making this tonight. Just wondering if there’s a reason why you use shredded parmesan instead of grated? I have both but curious about your preference. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      September 7, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      That’s just what I had on hand! Feel free to use whatever you have πŸ™‚
  10. Anonymous

    Elmwood Park, Illinois

    August 3, 2021 at 11:22 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  11. Anonymous

    Eau Claire, Wisconsin

    July 30, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars We did not have cashews in our pantry, so we made without nuts, and it was still divine! Will try next time, though. Cannot wait to drizzle on baked potatoes, toast, and eggs.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 4, 2021 at 7:05 am

      Thanks! If you don’t have cashews, you could try subbing with pine nuts, pecans, or even roasted almonds!
  12. Anonymous

    Eau Claire, Wisconsin

    July 30, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    5 stars One of the best dishes I have ever eaten!!!! I was craving a pesto dish and found this recipe. We paired it with grilled teriyaki pork loin and served over gluten free pasta and everyone loved it, even our 2 and 4 year olds. Our 2 year old was eating it with tortilla chips even before serving. I told my husband this is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten and would pay $17.00 for this meal at a restaurant. This recipe was excellent and will be made on a regular basis! Yum!!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 4, 2021 at 7:04 am

      Aw yay! Thanks so much! The grilled teriyaki pork loin sounds delicious πŸ™‚
  13. Charity

    Canada

    July 6, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Can I use pine nuts? And if so, should I roast them as well? I grew a huge crop of cilantro and need to use it before it bolts, so how can I store this pesto long term? Thanks for your advice πŸ™‚
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 6, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      Hi, Charity! You can use pine nuts. You don’t have to roast them but it will add another layer of yummy flavor if you want to take the extra step. You can also store the finished pesto in the freezer for 9-12 months so you will definitely be able to use up all that cilantro πŸ™‚ hope you love it!
  14. Janet

    Leominster, Massachusetts

    June 21, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars I just made this, using about 50/50 cilantro/parsley instead of all cilantro because I have a lot of both in the garden. Also instead of garlic, I used garlic scapes (also from the garden and have to be used up). The result is absolutely outstanding! I really love the hint of lime and the cashews. Terrific recipe, thank you!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 24, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much, Janet! I’m so glad you were able to use the herbs from your garden and that you loved the result!
  15. David

    United States

    May 31, 2021 at 10:42 am

    I have a large cilantro plant and was looking for a way to use it. This seems like a great option. Have you ever tried to can this instead of freezing for longer storage?
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 1, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      Hi, David! I have never tried canning this recipe and don’t really know anything about canning so I would google it to see if you can easily can pesto. Good luck!
  16. Patty

    United States

    May 28, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars Good recipe. Simple and tasty. so good! I often freeze for later use. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 1, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you, Patty!! πŸ™‚
  17. Anonymous

    United States

    May 28, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  18. Glynis

    United States

    May 26, 2021 at 9:24 am

    5 stars Loved it! I added a 1/4 top lime zest too!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 26, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you!!
  19. Anonymous

    Canada

    May 13, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  20. Stacy

    Emeryville, California

    May 8, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars Yummy
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 12, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Thanks Stacy πŸ™‚
  21. Anonymous

    Orlando, Florida

    April 5, 2021 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  22. Pam

    Lexington, Kentucky

    December 29, 2020 at 9:00 am

    I love cilantro! This looks great! Can you substitute cotija cheese for the parmesan? I have read it is considered “Mexican parmesan”. Re: your garden. If you have any kind of outdoor space that gets sun, purchase some inexpensive containers, (Dollar Tree – $1 ea.) drill small holes to let water drain, fill with dirt then your herbs. I have several. One for cilantro, parsley, basil, dill and mint!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      December 29, 2020 at 11:49 am

      I don’t see why not! As long as it’s a dry finely grated cotija and not a wet, crumbly cotija – which I think would affect the texture! πŸ™‚
  23. Anonymous

    Indonesia

    November 12, 2020 at 3:14 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  24. Judy

    Los Angeles, California

    September 26, 2020 at 10:35 am

    Going to make now!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      September 28, 2020 at 10:32 am

      Awesome, Judy! Hope it turned out great πŸ™‚
  25. pam

    Crestone, Colorado

    August 30, 2020 at 5:18 pm

    5 stars I’ve made this a couple times now- love it. Great on pasta, quesadillas, as a sandwich spread. I used almonds because that’s what I had in the house-worked great.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 31, 2020 at 10:24 am

      So glad you love it, Pam! Thanks for the feedback πŸ™‚
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 31, 2020 at 10:24 am

      So glad you love it, Pam! Thanks for the feedback πŸ™‚
  26. Lucy

    Dublin, California

    July 22, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars This recipe is to die for! I tend to be a snob on pesto and using basil for it…I love this! I put a couple of spins on it, always have to put my signature on a recipe πŸ˜‰ I was walnuts, toasted and chopped along with some roasted, salted sunflower seeds. AND, I added some fresh spinach (about a cup) to stretch the greens. Super yummy!πŸ˜‹
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 23, 2020 at 12:44 pm

      Love your additions Lucy! Yum! πŸ™‚ Thank you so much!
  27. D.

    Greeley, Colorado

    July 11, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars Amazing!!!!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 13, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you!
  28. Anonymous

    Australia

    June 30, 2020 at 2:30 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  29. Georgina

    Islington, England

    June 2, 2020 at 9:47 am

    5 stars Loved this pesto – thank you!! I’ll be making this regularly from now on!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 2, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      Thanks Georgina!
  30. Carrie

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

    May 24, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars A+ I added 3 times the garlic excellent
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 26, 2020 at 7:40 am

      Yes!!! Fellow garlic lover over here!
  31. Anonymous

    Cedar City, Utah

    May 6, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  32. LaLa

    Baraboo, Wisconsin

    December 15, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars Everyone who eats this and I’ve made it like 5 times in two weeks…loves it. I prefer it over basil and much more economical. I will say there is a difference with organic cilantro and not. I used the not and it wasn’t nearly as tasty and full flavor, just an FYI…
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      December 16, 2019 at 7:52 am

      Interesting about organic vs non-organic! I’ve never used organic, so I’ll have to give it a try πŸ™‚ Glad you love this as much as I do! πŸ™‚
  33. Jennie

    Alamogordo, New Mexico

    December 4, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    5 stars I had lost the recipe… someone posted one and I used the words and found your site… this is EXCELLENT and I put it on everything… English muffin with egg and pesto on top! The BEST! 69 years old and loving the good food! Besides, it removes heavy metals from your body!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      December 6, 2019 at 11:29 am

      Love the pesto addition, Jennie! πŸ™‚
  34. jack

    June 23, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    We put up about a gallon of cilantro pesto into the freezer each summer to last us thru winter. Sometimes I use ice cube trays to make blocks but if I am lazy that summer I’ll just freeze it pancake style and break off what I need. My favorite recipe with it is to saute a couple of blocks with a half stick of butter for about five minutes… just enough to take the edge off. Mix that with halved cherry tomatoes and medium diced cukes to top onto a plate of pasta. But it has endless uses. The imagination runs wild with it in the freezer.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 26, 2017 at 6:48 am

      Love it!!
  35. Yvonne

    April 5, 2017 at 5:37 am

    5 stars I’ve been making pesto wrongly all this time until I found this recipe. This is so delicious, especially when combined with your Pesto Pasta Salad recipe!! Thank you so much!!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      April 5, 2017 at 6:10 am

      Aww yay!! Thank YOU so much! πŸ™‚
  36. Mary

    Superior, Wisconsin

    March 6, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    4 stars I grow many kinds of basil in the summer but not enough to freeze. Price of fresh basil & pine nuts is too high. My solution? I use spinach and unsalted sunflower kernels. I make batches and freeze them to have a quick meal. Spinach pesto complements shrimp very nicely. Thank you for the cilantro idea. I will try that next time.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      March 6, 2016 at 2:48 pm

      Hi Mary! Love the idea of spinach and sunflower kernels. I hope you LOVE the cilantro pesto! πŸ™‚
  37. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

    January 19, 2016 at 11:52 am

    Me, too! Thanks Marcie! πŸ™‚
    Reply
  38. Lauren

    Des Moines, Iowa

    January 19, 2016 at 8:52 am

    5 stars I think my husband would freak out if I made this (he hates cilantro), but that’s OK because that means there would be more for me! πŸ˜€ Love it!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 19, 2016 at 11:52 am

      Hahaha! More for you is never a bad thing. πŸ˜‰
  39. Janet

    Newton, North Carolina

    January 19, 2016 at 5:41 am

    I love the gratuitous Parmesan shot.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 19, 2016 at 11:51 am

      Haha! Thanks Janet! πŸ™‚
  40. Phi

    Racine, Wisconsin

    January 18, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    I am drooling over here – this looks absolutely delish and I love the cilantro twist on the classic pesto – and the video – so cute!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks Phi!! πŸ™‚
  41. Jess

    Colchester, England

    January 18, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Love homemade pesto! This looks delicious! I love the gorgeous colour! πŸ™‚
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 12:27 pm

      Thanks Jess!! I love the bright green in this winter-y weather! πŸ™‚
  42. Megan

    Atlanta, Georgia

    January 18, 2016 at 9:57 am

    I love making pesto! Frequently I run out of basil and just sub whatever green I have like parsley or even spinach. Can’t wait to try this version!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      Ooo! Love the idea of using spinach…genius! Thanks Megan! πŸ™‚
  43. Meghan

    Bothell, Washington

    January 18, 2016 at 9:41 am

    5 stars I looooove making pesto, but I agree with you, I hate buying the tiny package of basil for millions of dollars – and seriously, how is it that it always seems to go bad before it gets used? I love that you used cashews here, that is such a great idea! I never buy pine nuts, so I like this sub. I am not a huge fan of cilantro, but I might come around to try this out πŸ™‚
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Meghan! I feel like you either LOVE cilantro or HATE it…it’s like mint, you love it or hate it. πŸ˜‰ It’s definitely worth a shot πŸ™‚
  44. CakePants

    Ann Arbor, Michigan

    January 18, 2016 at 6:31 am

    Cilantro pesto?! Yes, please!! This looks fantastic, and I love that it uses cashews (which I always have) instead of pine nuts (nope, never). This recipe will be especially handy in the summer when our garden is producing cilantro by the bundle on a daily basis!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 9:26 am

      Thank you!! Oooo! I wish we had a garden…I’d love to have bundles and bundles of cilantro. πŸ™‚
  45. Marina

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    January 18, 2016 at 4:51 am

    5 stars Wow, Cilantro Pesto?! GENIUS. I’m Italian, so traditional pesto runs through my veins but I’d definitely be curious to try this. And then not share because I know some people in my family HATE cilantro. (HOW?!) More for me! Thanks for the recipe πŸ™‚
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 9:25 am

      Thanks Marina! More pesto for yourself is never a bad thing. πŸ˜‰
  46. Sarah

    Williams Bay, Wisconsin

    January 18, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I have a SERIOUS obsession with pesto and you have for real got me drooling over here! This looks SO amazing and I love that it uses cilantro, rather than the classic basil. I would top everything with this pesto!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 18, 2016 at 9:24 am

      Ha! Thank you so much Sarah!! πŸ™‚

Primary Sidebar

Hello and Welcome!

Trevor and Jennifer HeadshotWe're Trevor and Jennifer, we live in Raleigh, North Carolina with our 70lb lap dog, Teddy. We love food and together, we are on a mission to find all things YUMMY!
About Us

Footer

RECIPES

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks & Apps
  • Dessert
  • Drinks

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Workshops
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright Β© Show Me the Yummy © 2014–2025
|
Privacy Policy