Keto Pesto Sauce has bold and rich flavors without increasing carb count. We make this sauce with different kinds of ingredients, such as garlic, extra virgin olive oil, basil leaves, pine nuts, salt, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and black pepper. All these components are easy to find in food stores or groceries or might already be present in your pantry. It has a fresh and strong taste with a balancing flavor of garlic richness & deep taste of nuts. You can make this sauce earlier with no problems or difficulties. This sauce contains 1.5 g of net carbs and 180 kcal of caloric content in 2 tbsp of a single serving. We may completely prepare this sauce in only ten minutes with basic preparation methods. Serve this Keto pesto Sauce with grilled eggplant, pesto drizzle, almond flour pesto flatbread, or pesto cauliflower dip.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
STATISTICAL OVERVIEW:
- Course: Sauce, Condiment
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Diet: Keto
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian
- Cook time: Zero minutes
- Portion size: 2 tablespoons
- Cooking mode: No-cook, Raw blend
- Total servings: 8
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Total time: 10 minutes
TOOLS:
- Food processor
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Airtight glass jar
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- Fresh basil leaves, 2 cups
- One-fourth tsp. salt
- Half a cup of Parmesan cheese
- Two cloves of garlic
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- Half cup extra virgin olive oil
INGREDIENT NOTES:
PARMESAN CHEESE:
- We utilize Parmesan cheese to help the crust get crispy and to give it a rich, sharp flavor. We can use a small quantity of salt or nutritional yeast in its place to create a non-dairy version.
GARLIC:
- It offers a rich fragrance and savory flavor with fewer carbs. You can utilize the garlic powder in normal quantities as a vegetarian substitute for garlic.
LEMON JUICE:
- It tastes sour and acidic and includes brightness with few carbs. Apple cider vinegar can be used instead, which also offers a different flavor.
BASIL:
- This ingredient is important for including a fresh taste in the pesto sauce. Replace it with spinach as a low-cost option without adding carbs.
PINE NUTS:
- They are the regular nuts, but their costs are high. As a substitute, use macadamia, walnuts, or almond nuts, which work great for the keto diet.
OLIVE OIL:
- It enriches the flavor and serves as a major source of fat. We recommend using extra virgin olive oil. Utilize the avocado oil instead as a good replacement for keto.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Include the Parmesan, pine nuts, basil leaves, and garlic in a food processor.
- Grind them till they are perfectly shredded.
- Drizzle some olive oil while running the food processor till the mixture gets creamier and smoother.
- Include the pepper, lemon juice, and salt, then blend them till they are completely mixed.
- Place it in a closed jar and smooth the top.
- Serve this sauce with different kinds of dishes.
TIPS:
- Gently toast the nuts to provide a strong and deep flavor to this sauce.
- You can change how much oil is needed to make a thin or thick consistency of the sauce.
- Don’t run the processor to avoid bitterness.
- We utilize completely dry basil leaves to prevent the pesto texture from getting watery.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
MAIN DISHES:
- Chicken
- Zucchini noodles
- Salmon
- Stuffed chicken
SIDES:
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Spaghetti squash
APPETIZERS:
- Deviled eggs
- Cucumber bites
- Cheese roll-ups
- Stuffed mushrooms
BREAKFASTS:
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelet
- Keto toast
- Egg muffins
SNACKS:
- Pesto dip with celery
- Pesto fat bombs
- Keto crackers
- Mozzarella
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put it in a closed bowl and store it for five days.
FREEZER:
- Place this sauce in ice cube trays and freeze it. Then keep it in a closed bag and store it for three months.
FAQs:
Will I include dried basil?
- We suggest using fresh basil because dried basil will not give the same result.
Is this pesto sauce perfect for the keto diet?
- Yes, because they contain healthy fats and all the ingredients are ideal for keto that we utilize to make this sauce.
How can I maintain the natural color of pesto?
- You can cover it with oil and include lemon juice, which will support the preservation of its green color.
Could I prepare this sauce without nuts?
- Yes, you can utilize the sunflower seeds instead of nuts to make a nut-free variety.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 180 kcal
Sodium: 160 mg
Net carbs: 1.5 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Sugar: 0.5 g
Fats: 18 g
Proteins: 4 g
Portion size: 2 tablespoons
Total carbs: 2 g