This vegan Parsley Pesto recipe is so easy and quick to prepare, taking less than 5 minutes! It is brimming with lemon-y fresh parsley, walnuts and lashings of good olive oil. Serve this fresh pesto with pasta, in salads or with grilled veggies.
- Walnut Parsley Pesto Ingredients
- How to make Parsley Pesto
- Serving Suggestion
- Storage
- Other Dip Recipes
The vibrant green color of this Parsley Walnut Pesto sauce is so beautiful! Imo, the best way to enjoy it is by stirring it into hot pasta to make Parsley Pesto Pasta. Yum!
There is something special about fresh herbs in pesto recipes, dips and sauces! I absolutely love this Creamy Cilantro Sauce with Mexican recipes, this Basil Sauce that is made with fresh basil leaves and this Cilantro Pesto made with fresh cilantro.
This pesto has similarities to basil pesto but the flavours are more lemon-y and zingy!
Use leftover parsley in these Parsley Potatoes .
Walnut Parsley Pesto Ingredients
Flat leaf parsley – I’ve gone with flat-leaf parsley which works better in terms of taste and texture, but you could use curly parsley too
Garlic cloves – use fresh garlic only, garlic powder won’t cut it here
Extra virgin olive oil – good quality oil gives great flavour
Nuts – walnuts or pine nuts are most commonly used in pesto. You can also use cashew, almonds, hazelnuts, pecan or pistachios. Alternate options include sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Lemon juice – a squeeze of lemon is so good! Another great option is to add a little lemon zest too
Salt and black pepper
Optional
Cheese such as parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano. If you are vegetarian, go for a vegetarian parmesan cheese. For vegan pesto, you could add nutritional yeast.
For a fresh basil parsley pesto, add basil leaves.
How to make Parsley Pesto
In a food processor, add the parsley, fresh garlic, lemon juice, nuts or seeds, olive oil, salt and pepper and cheese if using.
Blend until the pesto is smooth, or to your desired consistency, whilst scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add extra olive oil to smooth it out further if you need. Check the seasoning before using in recipes.
You can also make this pesto the traditional way using a pestle and mortar. You’ll get a coarser texture this way.
Serving Suggestion
The easiest way is to toss into your favorite pasta or gnocci. It is also great in cold pasta salads and even with whole wheat pasta.
Add it to this Pesto Potato salad .
It is a great topping for grilled vegetables or use it as a dip for these Air Fryer Carrot Fries .
Make a sandwich by spreading it over slices of sundried tomato bread and topping with extra parsley.
Add it to salad dressings – it would go great in this White Bean Panzanella or in these White Bean Bruschetta
Storage
Store leftover homemade parsley pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I like to add an extra thin layer of olive oil on top. It may loose some of its fresh flavor.
You can also freeze homemade pesto. Spoon into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, place the frozen cubes in a freezer bag. Allow to thaw at room temperature.
Other Dip Recipes
Whipped Goat Cheese
Tzatziki
Skordalia
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
Parsley Pesto
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cup parsley
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice optionally add lemon zest too
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the parsley, fresh garlic, lemon juice, nuts or seeds, olive oil, salt and pepper and cheese if using.
- Blend until the pesto is smooth, or to your desired consistency, whilst scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add extra olive oil to smooth it out further if you need. Check the seasoning before using in recipes.
- You can also make this pesto the traditional way using a pestle and mortar. You’ll get a coarser texture this way.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Parsley Pesto
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cup parsley
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice optionally add lemon zest too
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the parsley, fresh garlic, lemon juice, nuts or seeds, olive oil, salt and pepper and cheese if using.
- Blend until the pesto is smooth, or to your desired consistency, whilst scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add extra olive oil to smooth it out further if you need. Check the seasoning before using in recipes.
- You can also make this pesto the traditional way using a pestle and mortar. You’ll get a coarser texture this way.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
These Christmas candied walnuts made with brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger are perfect for the holiday season! Perfect candied walnuts for salads, as a sweet snack or gifting.
Air fryer and oven baked options provided below.
- Candied Walnuts Ingredients
- How to make Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
- Pro Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- Other Holiday Snacks Recipes
Imagine that feeling of walking up to the aroma of spiced nut carts on a chilly winters day. I won’t forget the moment when I walked up to a sugared almond cart in London at Christmas. I crossed over the Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern when all of a sudden the warm smell hit me.
You can now conjure the same ambience, with this easy recipe, in the comfort of your warm kitchen. Bonus, the sweet smell lingers for longer!
I went for a candied walnut recipe which is perfect for Christmas time and is made with a handful of ingredients. It is the perfect snack just as or as a topping to salads and even desserts! It’s egg-free and gluten-free.
Candied Walnuts Ingredients
Walnuts – you can use whole walnuts or walnut halves. Go for raw walnuts rather than ready roasted
Brown sugar – you can also use white sugar or maple syrup
Butter – salted or unsalted works.
Spices – cinnamon powder and ginger powder. Variations include nutmeg
Vanilla extract
Sea salt
Make it vegan by using vegan butter, coconut oil or olive oil.
How to make Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.
Line a baking sheet or air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F.
Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes
- Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.
Pro Tips
Check your walnuts are fresh and well in date. Rancid walnuts will be bitter tasting once cooked
Try to avoid using the smaller pieces of walnuts so they can all cook evenly.
Stick to low heat as high heat can lead to the sugar burning and tasting bitter. Avoid medium-high heat for this reason
If the sugar does not appear to be melting as it heats, you can add a spoon of water to the mixture at a time.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many serving possibilities for these candy walnuts.
Enjoy them as a delicious snack
Great addition to a salad recipe such as a beet salad with crumbled feta cheese
Add them to a cheese plate or a delicious addition to a charcuterie board
Add them to the top of ice cream or oatmeal
Storage
Keep stored in an airtight container once they have reached room temperature.
Sugared walnuts stored in a mason jar make for great gifts.
Other Holiday Snacks Recipes
Pumpkin Scones
Spiced Rosemary Almonds
Cardamom and Cinnamon Fudge
Christmas Jam
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
Equipment
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Air fryer or Oven
- 1 Parchment paper or Baking Tray
Ingredients
- 3 cup walnuts raw
- 3 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted
- ¾ cup brown sugar soft
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.
Oven Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F or Gas Mark 3.
Air Fryer Method
- Air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes.
- Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
