Fresh & Flavorful Cilantro Mint Pesto: A Vibrant Twist on a Classic Sauce

Prepare to elevate your culinary creations with this incredibly fresh and flavorful cilantro mint pesto! Moving beyond the traditional basil and pine nut combination, this recipe introduces a vibrant, herby take on the classic that’s bursting with bright, zesty notes. We grind together an aromatic blend of fresh cilantro, cooling mint, fragrant basil, and creamy cashews in a food processor, transforming them into a rich, verdant sauce. It’s an unexpectedly delightful combination that adds an exhilarating burst of flavor to anything it touches. Imagine slathering this on a piece of toasted sourdough for a quick, gourmet snack, or incorporating it into your favorite sandwich for an unforgettable herbaceous experience. This pesto is not just a condiment; it’s a celebration of garden-fresh herbs, designed to invigorate your palate and bring a touch of brightness to every meal.

Over the years, my appreciation for fresh herbs has grown immensely. There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping into the garden and harvesting a bounty of fragrant basil, refreshing mint, vibrant cilantro, aromatic dill, and earthy thyme. Not only are these herbs packed with incredible flavors that can transform an ordinary dish into an extraordinary one, but they also offer a wealth of health benefits. Incorporating them into your daily cooking is an easy way to boost nutrients and add natural zest without relying on artificial flavors. This passion for fresh greens is exactly what inspired this unique pesto recipe, allowing the bright, invigorating flavors of cilantro and mint to shine alongside the comforting familiarity of basil.

The beauty of pesto lies in its versatility and customizability. While traditional pesto typically calls for pine nuts, I’ve found that cashews are an excellent, more cost-effective, and equally delicious alternative. Their creamy texture and mild flavor blend seamlessly with the strong herbs, creating a smooth and rich sauce that truly stands out. Plus, let’s be honest, cashews are a fantastic snack on their own, making them a pantry staple worth keeping around. Feel free to experiment with other nuts or even seeds if you’re looking for different flavor profiles or have dietary restrictions. This recipe is designed to be adaptable, encouraging you to adjust it to your personal taste and preferences. The key is to taste as you go, allowing you to fine-tune the balance of ingredients until it’s just perfect for you.

This particular pesto is undeniably herb-centric, meaning it delivers a potent and unapologetic burst of fresh, green flavor. If you’re an herb lover, this is absolutely your ideal sauce. The combination of cilantro’s bright, citrusy notes, mint’s cooling freshness, and basil’s sweet, peppery undertones creates a complex and deeply satisfying profile. It’s fantastic for adding a gourmet touch to everyday meals. Imagine it spread generously on a grilled turkey sandwich, serving as a vibrant accompaniment to flaky grilled salmon, or simply tossed with halved cherry tomatoes for a quick and refreshing side dish. But its uses extend far beyond these; it’s brilliant stirred into pasta, dolloped onto roasted vegetables, or even used as a marinade for chicken or fish. Its bold flavor ensures it will be a memorable addition to any plate.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. In other words, if you click a link and purchase something I will receive a commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I use and enjoy myself.

Essential Ingredients & Equipment for Your Cilantro Mint Pesto

Creating this delicious cilantro mint pesto requires just a few key ingredients and one essential piece of equipment. Each component plays a crucial role in building the vibrant flavor and achieving the perfect creamy texture.

• Cilantro: This herb brings a bright, fresh, and slightly citrusy note to the pesto, distinguishing it from traditional basil-only versions. Ensure your cilantro is fresh, vibrant, and thoroughly washed before use.
• Mint: The addition of mint provides a wonderfully refreshing and cooling counterpoint to the other robust flavors. It lightens the pesto and adds an unexpected layer of complexity that makes it truly unique.
• Basil: The foundational herb of most pestos, basil contributes its classic sweet, peppery, and slightly anise-like flavor. It grounds the other herbs and provides a familiar, comforting base.
• Lemon juice: A small but mighty ingredient, freshly squeezed lemon juice is vital. It not only brightens the overall flavor of the pesto, preventing it from tasting too heavy or one-dimensional, but also helps maintain the vibrant green color of the herbs.
• Cashews: As mentioned, cashews are a fantastic alternative to pine nuts. They offer a wonderfully creamy texture and a subtle, buttery flavor that complements the herbs without overpowering them. Since both cashews and parmesan can be quite salty, it’s crucial to omit adding any extra salt until the very end. Taste the finished pesto and only then, if necessary, stir in a small pinch of kosher salt to taste. This allows you to control the sodium level precisely.
• Olive oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil is indispensable for bringing all the ingredients together, emulsifying them into a smooth, cohesive sauce. It contributes richness and a fruity, sometimes peppery, flavor that is characteristic of a good pesto.
• Parmesan: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a lovely savory, umami depth and a creamy texture to the pesto. It balances the freshness of the herbs and the richness of the oil and cashews. If you’re looking for a dairy-free or vegan option, you can easily substitute nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, or simply omit it for a more herb-forward sauce.

You will also need a food processor to achieve the desired smooth consistency. For this particular recipe, a small food processor works best, as it helps to keep the ingredients concentrated for efficient processing. If you only have a large food processor, you might find that the smaller quantity of ingredients struggles to get properly blended. In such a case, consider doubling the recipe to ensure all ingredients come into contact with the blades and you achieve the right emulsified consistency. This will help prevent large chunks and create a perfectly smooth, uniform pesto.

How to Make Homemade Cilantro Mint Pesto: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Making your own cilantro mint pesto is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. The key to a perfectly smooth and emulsified pesto lies in the order of adding ingredients and the technique of processing. Before you begin, ensure all your fresh herbs are washed and thoroughly dried. Any excess water can dilute the flavor and prevent proper emulsification. Also, make sure you have a spatula handy, as you’ll be scraping down the sides of the food processor bowl a couple of times to ensure everything is evenly blended.

1. Initial Herb & Nut Pulse: Begin by adding your fresh herbs – cilantro, mint, and basil – along with the cashews to the bowl of your small food processor. Pulse the mixture really well. The goal here is to break down the leaves and nuts into a coarse consistency, creating a foundation for the pesto. Don’t be afraid to pulse several times, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl with your spatula to ensure all ingredients are reaching the blades. This step is crucial for achieving an even texture from the start.
2. Add Parmesan & Further Pulse: Once the herbs and cashews are finely chopped, add the grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture. Pulse a few more times. The cheese will begin to combine with the other ingredients, adding its savory flavor and helping to break down the mixture further. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate any stray pieces.
3. Emulsify with Lemon Juice & Olive Oil: Now, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the food processor. This will add brightness and help cut through the richness. With the food processor running on a low setting, slowly and gradually drizzle in the olive oil through the feed tube. The slow addition of olive oil while the blades are turning is the secret to a beautifully emulsified pesto. This process allows the oil to combine properly with the other ingredients, creating a smooth, creamy, and cohesive sauce rather than a separated mixture. Continue to process until all the ingredients are fully emulsified and you’ve reached your desired smooth consistency. You’ll likely need to stop and scrape the sides of the food processor bowl quite a few times during this step to ensure everything is thoroughly blended and no large chunks remain.
4. Taste and Adjust: Once your pesto reaches the desired consistency, give it a taste. This is your moment to customize! If you feel it needs a bit more zest, add a tiny bit more lemon juice. Remember, cashews and Parmesan are already salty, so only add a small pinch of kosher salt if you truly believe it’s needed. Stir it in, taste again, and adjust until it’s perfect for your palate.
5. Storage: Scrape the finished pesto into an airtight container. To help preserve its vibrant green color and freshness, you can pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto before sealing. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage (see tips below).

Following these steps will ensure you create a magnificent cilantro mint pesto that’s rich in flavor and wonderfully smooth, ready to elevate any dish.

Tips & Substitutions for Your Perfect Pesto

Making pesto is an art form that allows for personal expression. Here are some tips and substitution ideas to help you create your ideal cilantro mint pesto and get the most out of your batch:

• Achieve the Perfect Consistency: For an optimal pesto experience, process all ingredients really well until it’s completely emulsified with no large chunks of anything remaining. This ensures a smooth, spreadable, and uniform sauce. However, be careful not to over-process to the point of turning it into a paste. You want a thick, yet fluid consistency. A little texture is fine, but it should mostly be smooth.
• Taste and Adjust to Your Liking: Pesto is inherently made to taste, so don’t be afraid to personalize it. If you’re a big fan of cheesy notes, feel free to add more Parmesan cheese than the recipe calls for. Conversely, if you prefer a less cheesy, more herb-forward pesto, you can reduce the amount or even omit it (especially if making it dairy-free). Remember to adjust salt at the very end, as cheese and cashews contribute their own salinity.
• Managing Mint’s Flavor: Mint can sometimes have a slightly bitter or very strong flavor for some palates. If you’re not a huge fan of mint or find it too overpowering, try reducing the amount and substituting it with more fresh basil or cilantro in its place. This allows you to control the herbaceous balance and ensure the pesto is exactly to your liking.
• Nut Alternatives for Different Textures & Flavors: While cashews provide a wonderful creaminess and are budget-friendly, there are many other nut options if you want to experiment. Walnuts will give your pesto an earthier, slightly bitter note, while raw almonds offer a milder flavor and slightly grittier texture. For a more classic pesto, pine nuts can certainly be used, though they are typically more expensive. If you need a nut-free option due to allergies, consider sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a similar texture and a delicious, earthy flavor profile.
• Consider Adding Garlic: Traditional pesto often includes garlic. If you love garlic, feel free to add one small clove to the food processor with the herbs and cashews in the first step. For a milder garlic flavor, you might even consider roasting the garlic beforehand. This recipe intentionally keeps the focus purely on the fresh herbs, but garlic is a classic addition that many enjoy.
• Storage for Longevity: Your cilantro mint pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To prevent browning and keep it fresh, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto before sealing. For longer storage, pesto freezes beautifully. Spoon it into ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then transfer the pesto cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you can easily thaw individual portions as needed, perfect for a quick flavor boost whenever you desire. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

With these tips, you’re well-equipped to create and customize a truly spectacular cilantro mint pesto that will impress every time!

Other Recipes You Might Like

• Chipotle Mayo Recipe
• Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
• Peach BBQ Sauce [4 Ingredient]
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon with Lemon Basil Sauce