Easy Broccoli Pesto Recipe

4.50 from 2 votes
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Broccoli Pesto Recipe – change up your favorite pesto dishes with this fresh and delicious pesto made with broccoli – even picky eaters love this pesto over pasta!

green pesto in a wooden bowl with a spoon

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!

Creamy, rich, tangy, earthy, salty pesto is one of my favorite things to add to dishes.

To me, pesto makes everything taste so much better!

This pesto is incredibly special – it is out of thiss world delicious, it is low carb and keto friendly, and it comes with a heaping dose of vegetables – thanks to the addition of broccoli!

If you’ve never had broccoli pesto, you’re in for a treat – this fun spin on pesto is packed with flavor, easy to make, and goes on just about every dish.

It’s great in pasta, or over rice, meats, vegetables, and fish – and it can be made ahead of time in a snap!

I hope you love this pesto as much as we do!

green pesto in a wooden bowl

This pesto is also delicious when spooned over grilled, baked, and pan fried fish, pork, beef, chicken, and vegetables!

The recipes below are some of my favorite dishes to serve topped with broccoli pesto – and minus the vegan sandwiches, they are all low carb and keto friendly!

This pesto can give your low carb dinners a bright, earthy, and delicious kick!

green pesto in a wooden bowl

How to Make Broccoli Pesto

This broccoli pesto is super simple to make – just whiz in a food processor and go!

There are a couple easy steps to keep your consistency perfect, which I am adding below.

To make this broccoli pesto, you’ll need a food processor or a blender.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Broccoli Pesto

Toast Pine Nuts. Give your pesto extra flavor by lightly toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the food processor – simply place them in a nonstick pan and heat until fragrant, stirring often.

Pine nuts burn quickly and taste bitter and acrid – so watch them closely while toasting pine nuts.

Whiz Broccoli First. For best results, blend broccoli first, before adding basil, pine nuts, herbs, and spices. Broccoli can take a bit of stirring and extra pulsing to blend to smooth, and takes up a lot of space in the food processor.

FAQs

How do I store leftover broccoli pesto?

This pesto will keep it’s bright green color, unlike many other pestos, after storing in the refrigerator overnight – I even like to make a big batch and freeze in small bags so I have more at the ready anytime. Pesto can also be made and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Can you freeze broccoli pesto?

You can also freeze pesto in ice cube containers to set them in a square shape, then toss the squares in a freezer bag for easy-to-use individual servings – so you can defrost and use as much or as little as you want! Frozen pesto can keep for up to four months. Let thaw naturally in the fridge overnight.

green pesto in a wooden bowl with a spoon

What to Serve With Broccoli Pesto

This broccoli pesto is amazing in simple pasta dishes, as a tangy zip (and extra veggies) in wraps or on salads.

I love it spooned over cous cous, linguine, or rice for a quick dinner – just grate some parmesan over the top for a perfect meal in minutes!

Also try it with one of these delicious protein packed favorites:

pasta with broccoli pesto over it, tomatoes, and parmesan

Easy Broccoli Pesto Recipe

If you love this easy broccoli pesto recipe as much as I do, please give it a five star review and help me share on facebook and pinterest!

picture of broccoli pesto in a wood bowl with a spoon

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4.50 from 2 votes

Easy Broccoli Pesto Recipe

By: Courtney O’Dell
Servings: 1 1/2 cups
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
A bowl of broccoli pesto with a wooden spoon, showcasing a delicious recipe for broccoli pesto.
Delicious broccoli, parmesan, and pine nut packed pesto is perfect on bread, pasta, or you favorite protein.

Ingredients 

  • 1 medium head of broccoli
  • ½ – ¾ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup basil leaves, unpacked
  • 2 tablespoons garlic paste, or minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Cut the florets off of the head of broccoli and steam until fork tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the florets to a food processor along with ½ cup of olive oil and blend until almost smooth.
  • Add in the remaining ingredients except for the additional olive oil and pulse until smooth.
  • Only use the extra olive oil to reach desired consistency, it may not be needed depending on the size of the broccoli.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 356mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcsdesigns or tag #sweetcsdesigns!

Sweet C’s Favorite Recipes

If you love this easy pesto, be sure to check out some of our other favorite easy dishes!

These recipes are reader favorites for their tried and true family friendly flavor!

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About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

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4.50 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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