Discover the vibrant flavors of basil pistachio sauce, a Mediterranean-inspired condiment perfect for any dish. Made with fresh basil, roasted pistachios, and a kick of jalapeño, it’s rich, nutty, herbaceous and spicy. Drizzle it over grilled meats, toss it with pasta, or use it as a dip for bread and veggies. Elevate your meals with this versatile and flavorful sauce!
This sauce is so tasty and super versatile!
- Chris
I've made it a goal this year to making more sauce recipes to go with my dinners. From homemade pizza sauce to cashew pesto to cilantro chimichurri, sauces really can put a simple recipe over the top. And the best thing is, you can make it ahead of time and freeze and then just use when you need it.
To me this sauce is the definition of Mediterranean, well except for the jalapeño, but that little kick of heat works perfectly with the basil, oregano and pistachios.
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Why You Will Love This Sauce
- Quick to prepare - Just throw all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and let it do its work.
- Customizable - Adjust the heat, consistency or ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
- Versatile - It can be used as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, a marinade for meats or a topping for roasted vegetable.
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh basil - Provides a fragrant, slightly sweet, and peppery base that defines the sauce's Mediterranean character.
- Pistachios -:Adds a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture when blended. Roasting enhances their natural sweetness.
- Fresh oregano - Lends a subtle earthy and slightly minty note, balancing the basil and pistachios.
- Garlic - Delivers a mild pungency that deepens the flavor profile. Adjust based on your preference for garlic intensity.
- Jalapeño - Introduces a gentle heat and peppery undertone, with seeds removed to keep it mild.
- Lemon - Brings a bright, citrusy tang that lifts and harmonizes the flavors while adding freshness.
- Salt - Enhances and balances the overall taste, bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Olive oil or water - Olive oil adds richness and a silky texture, while water provides a lighter, fresher alternative if preferred.
Ingredient Variations
Like any recipe, you can mix up some of the ingredients with this sauce. Some variations include:
- Substitute with basil fresh spinach or arugula for a milder or slightly peppery flavor, or a mix of parsley and mint for a similar herbaceous profile.
- Use almonds, cashews or walnuts instead of pistachios for a different nutty flavor, or sunflower seeds for a nut-free alternative.
- Replace oregano with fresh thyme, marjoram or parsley for a similar earthy note. Dried oregano can work in a pinch, but use only 1 teaspoon.
- Substitute jalapeño with a pinch of red pepper flakes, a small piece of serrano pepper for more heat, or leave it out entirely for a milder sauce.
- Try lime juice instead of lemon juice for a slightly different citrus profile, or white wine vinegar for a tangy alternative.
How to Make Basil Pistachio Sauce
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor
Step 2: Blend until combined. Add extra water 1 tablespoon at a time if sauce needs to be thinned. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Sauce Uses
I've mentioned before, sauces are very important to take meals to the next level. What makes this one so great, is it can work with a variety of recipes, but especially Mediterranean.
As far as dishes on this site, it's great with Greek chicken lettuce wraps or even Greek falafel naan sandwiches. And with a hint of heat with jalapeño, it could be a perfect complement to a Mexican-style veggie burger like green chili veggie burgers. It is very versatile.
Recipe FAQs
To make the sauce, reduce the olive oil. For a smoother consistency, add more olive oil or a splash of water while blending.
If you want to skip the heat, leave out the jalapeño or replace it with mild green bell pepper for a subtle flavor. For more heat, keep the seeds.
If stored in an air-tight container in the fridge, it will last a week. You can also place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can portion it into ice cube trays or small containers, and once frozen, transfer the cubes or portions to a freezer-safe bag.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Roast the pistachios which helps bring out the nutty flavor for the sauce.
- You can replace the fresh oregano with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
- While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn’t that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lemon and you’ll notice a difference in flavor.
- If you want more heat, keep the seeds from the jalapeño in the sauce.
Other Recommend Sauce Recipes
If you’ve tried this basil pistachio sauce or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Basil Pistachio Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil
- ½ cup roasted pistachios
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil or water
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until combined. Add extra water 1 tablespoon at a time if sauce needs to be thinned. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Video
Notes
- Roast the pistachios which helps bring out the nutty flavor for the sauce.
- You can replace the fresh oregano with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
- While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn’t that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lemon and you’ll notice a difference in flavor.
- If you want more heat, keep the seeds from the jalapeño in the sauce.
Chris says
Big pistachio fan
Chris says
This sauce is so tasty and super versatile!
Ryan says
Glad you like it!