Almond Basil Pesto Sauce Low Carb-
An almond basil pesto sauce recipe that is low carb, keto, gluten free, and has a paleo option.
A low carb pesto sauce made with almonds, basil, garlic, parsley, olive oil, spices, and optional parmesan cheese. I started making my own pesto years ago when I noticed that the store bought pesto kept making me sick.
I had assumed from the ingredients listed in the store bought sauce, that it was gluten free, but I kept having a gluten reaction to it. So, I was determined to make my pesto and make sure that I would not get cross contaminated with gluten.
I must have gone to several stores to find purchase pine nuts that were not processed in a facility that also processes wheat. Well, I soon realized that all the different brands of pine nuts I came across had “made in a facility that processes wheat” or “may contain traces of wheat”. Now I know why all the store bought pesto brands I tried were making me have a reaction.
I gave up on pine nuts and switched to almonds because I could find some almonds that were completely gluten free.
As it turns out, the almond basil pesto is super tasty and just as yummy as the pine nut variety. I’m still on the lookout for pine nuts without any traces of gluten (only a problem if you’re Celiac or super sensitive).
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Fantastic on Chicken, over zucchini noodles, Celeriac Noodles, Zero Carb Shirataki Noodles, on Toast, in casseroles, and on Low Carb Gluten Free Pizza Crust.
Almond Basil Pesto Low Carb
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup almonds, toasted
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup parsley, Italian flat leaf
- 3 cloves garlic
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese *optional, omit for dairy free
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 F, and place almonds on a baking sheet.
- Toast almonds for 7 to 10 mins until lightly golden brown. Remove and cool.
- Add almonds and all the ingredients to a processor, and pulse until combined and the texture of a thick pasty sauce.
Nutritional Data: Serving 8: Serving Size 1 tbsp, Cal: 189, Carbs: 2 g, Net Carbs: 2 g, Fiber: 0 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 18 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Sugars: 0 g.
*all nutritional data are estimates based on the products I used*
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Printable Recipe Card Below
Almond Basil Pesto Low Carb
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup almonds toasted
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup parsley Italian flat leaf
- 3 cloves garlic
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese *optional omit for dairy free
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F, and place almonds on a baking sheet.
- Toast almonds for 7 to 10 mins until lightly golden brown. Remove and cool.
- Add almonds and all the ingredients to a processor, and pulse until combined and the texture of a thick pasty sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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- Low Carb Thin Crust pizza
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- Fast Low Carb Buns
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Albert Bevia
I am such a huge lover of pesto! this recipe you have created sounds absolutely delicious Stacy! I will be trying this pesto out 🙂
Stacey
Thanks so much, Albert 🙂
Katja
This looks wonderful. I have just enough basil left in the garden to try this out. YUM!
Stacey
Thank you, Katja!
Darryl
I would have no idea that pine nuts could be so easily contaminated with gluten. Shows how vigilant we have to be with our food.
Stacey
Yes Darryl, I may have to grow them myself to not be cross-contaminated!
Donna
Ooooh perfect for over baked salmon! Gonna give it a try!
Stacey
Thank you Donna 🙂
Chihyu
I absolutely adore basil pesto sauce and love how simple it is to put a homemade sauce together. Thanks !
Stacey
Thank you 🙂
[email protected] The Primal Desire.com
It is so hard to find ingredients that haven’t been processed with stuff that makes us sick! I bet the almond gives a subtle yet complex pesto, excited to try this!
Stacey
It tastes very much like the pine nut kind.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving
This would be crazy good over burgers. Seriously, I’m drooling over her just thinking about it!
Stacey
Thank you Kelly 🙂
Irena Macri
Oh, this will go nicely with zucchini noodles and some grilled chicken or fish. Lovely recipe x
Stacey
Yes, it is awesome on zoodles!
Jean
I never thought to make pesto with almonds before and this looks so flavorful! I’ll have to try it out.
Stacey
It tastes very similar to the pine nut kind.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love homemade pesto!!! Such vibrant summer flavors plus all of that parm is super yummy too!
Stacey
Thank you Emily 🙂
Renee
What a fun idea to change things up! I just found pine nuts for the first time at Costco believe it or not, but I love this idea and i bet the almond flavor is amazing!
Stacey
Thank you Renee 🙂
Carrie @ Clean Eating Kitchen
I have so much basil in my fridge right now! This is such the perfect recipe, and a great alternative to pesto sauce. Love!
Stacey
Thank you Carrie 🙂