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    Home > Recipe Index > Easy Sauces > Mint Pesto (Vegan option!)

    Mint Pesto (Vegan option!)

    Published: May 11, 2022 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A bowl of mint pesto with a spoon.
    A bowl of mint pesto with a spoon.

    This mint pesto has a bright flavor that will instantly elevate your favorite dishes, from pizza, to pasta, to grilled meats, vegetables, sandwiches and more. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be customized to your tastes. 

    A bowl of mint pesto with a spoon.

    While I love all herbs, mint might just be my favorite. I call it my “happy herb” because the smell transports me straight to our garden in summer, where we grow a giant planter every year (my little one Juni eats handfuls at a time). This mint pesto is a true staple in my kitchen, and I hope you’ll love it too. 

    Ingredients and swaps:

    All the ingredients for the mint pesto recipe on a work surface with labels.
    • The pesto is made with a mix of mint and parsley or basil. The parsley and/or basil bulk up the pesto and gives it a deep green color. 
    • Toasted pine nuts give the pesto a creamy texture and rich flavor. You can swap them out for toasted sliced almonds, walnuts or even pistachios. 
    • The pesto is flavored with garlic and red pepper flakes, which add a subtle kick of heat. You can omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer, or swap them out for Aleppo pepper. 
    • Fresh lemon juice brightens all the flavors. 
    • Extra virgin olive oil ties everything together. 
    • There’s no cheese in this mint pesto, making it naturally vegan, but you can add 2-3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese if you prefer. 

    How to make mint pesto:

    • In a food processor, chop garlic until finely chopped.
    Process shot showing garlic chopped in a food processor for the mint pesto recipe.
    • Add mint leaves, parsley and/or basil, toasted pine nuts, red pepper flakes and lemon juice. Process until finely chopped.
    All of the ingredients for the mint pesto in a food processor.
    • With the machine running, drizzle in water and extra virgin olive oil and process until smooth.
    A hand holding a spoonful of mint pesto with a food processor in the background.

    Serving suggestions:

    This pesto is fantastic on pizzas, grilled meats and fish, pasta, sandwiches and more! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

    • On these Lamb Flatbread Pizzas (pictured below)
    • On grilled chicken, lamb and fish
    • Drizzled over roasted or grilled vegetables
    • Tossed with pasta (try it with this Lamb Ragu!) and risotto
    • On sandwiches and paninis
    • On lamb burgers
    • With sliced tomatoes
    Mint pesto on a lamb pizza.

    Pesto tips:

    • You’ll need a food processor to make the mint pesto, or you can use a Vitamix.
    • To make basil mint pesto, use basil instead of parsley. 
    • Store the pesto in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface—that will prevent it from turning brown. 
    • For another variation, try this Green Sauce recipe!

    *This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!

    Close-up of a bowl of mint pesto with a spoon.

    FAQs

    What can I do with lots of mint?

    Mint pesto is the perfect way to use up a lot of mint! You can easily double or even triple this recipe. 

    How do I store pesto?

    Refrigerate pesto with a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent it from browning. You can also freeze it in a zip-top freezer bag or in ice cube trays (once frozen, pop out the frozen pesto cubes and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag). 

    How do I use mint pesto?

    You can use mint pesto on pizzas, with pasta, over grilled meats and fish, on roasted and grilled vegetables, on burgers, with sliced tomatoes and on sandwiches. 

    What can I add to green pesto?

    Try adding parmesan cheese for a nutty flavor, a jalapeno pepper for a spicy kick, or a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness. 

    Other no-cook sauces to try:

    • Italian Salsa Verde
    • Romesco Sauce
    • Green Tahini Sauce
    • Easy Herbed Aioli
    • Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce

    Stay connected

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    Get the recipe!

    Mint pesto in a bowl with a spoon.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Mint Pesto

    This mint pesto has an irresistible bright flavor that will instantly elevate your favorite dishes, from pizzas, to pasta, to grilled meats, vegetables, sandwiches and more. The pesto is naturally vegan, but feel free to add 2-3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese, if you'd like. Try the pesto with these Mediterranean Lamb Pizzas!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: mint and basil pesto, mint basil pesto, mint pesto
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Nicki Sizemore

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients

    • 1 garlic clove, peeled
    • 1 ½ cups lightly packed mint leaves
    • 1 cup lightly packed parsley or basil leaves
    • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions

    • With the motor running, drop the garlic clove through the feed tube to chop. Scrape the sides.
    • Add the mint, parsley or basil, pine nuts, red pepper flakes and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Process to a coarse puree. Scrape down the sides.
    • With the motor running, drizzle the water and extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube to incorporate. Taste and add more lemon juice if you prefer a brighter flavor. If you prefer a thinner texture, you can also blend in more olive oil to taste. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

    Notes

    Do ahead: The mint pesto can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent it from browning. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container or in ice cube trays.
    Tips:
    • You’ll need a food processor to make the mint pesto, or you can use a Vitamix.
    • To make basil mint pesto, use basil instead of parsley. 
    • Store the pesto in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface—that will prevent it from turning brown. 
    Mint  Pesto

    More Easy No-Cook Sauces (to transform any meal!)

    • Easy Homemade Strawberry Sauce (and how to serve it!)
    • Creamy Sriracha Mayo Sauce
    • Creamy Green Tahini Sauce or Dressing (Vegan!)
    • Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

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    Meet Nicki

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    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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