• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Keto Diet Yum
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Learn
  • Latest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Learn
  • Latest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Keto Recipes » Sauces, Dips & Spreads » Keto Avocado Basil Pesto (Homemade Pesto Recipe)

    Keto Avocado Basil Pesto (Homemade Pesto Recipe)

    Updated December 11, 2021 • Posted on October 7, 2021 by Jennifer • Leave a Comment

    An EASY keto pesto recipe that's bursting with flavor! Make homemade basil pesto in just 5 minutes, and it only has 2g net carbs per serving!

    SaveSaved! Pin To recipe Print

    Homemade Pesto Recipe
    Keto Avocado Basil Pesto Homemade Pesto Recipe

    This keto avocado pesto recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and it's bursting with basil, garlic and parmesan flavor. It's great for low carb diets, and it’s healthy and gluten-free too.

    Blanketed with a layer of savory flavor from the avocado and sunflower seeds, it has the most irresistible tender, pillowy texture.

    It goes amazing with our chicken meatball zoodles and 3 ingredient keto pasta.

    You can also serve it drizzled over salads as a dressing. I also love adding a dollop to my soups and stews to enhance the taste and texture.

    Another cool serving suggestion: Make our crispy seed crackers and serve them with the pesto as a dip. Heavenly good!

    Table of Contents
    • What is Pesto?
    • Is Pesto Keto?
    • Ingredients List
    • How To Make Avocado Pesto Sauce
    • The Perfect Pesto Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Pesto Nutrition
    • Keto Pesto Recipe (Avocado Basil Pesto)

    What is Pesto?

    A bowl of avocado pesto sauce made with basil and spinach

    Traditional pesto is an Italian sauce made with basil, nuts, cheese, garlic and olive oil. The recipe varies depending on the region of Italy. It is a sauce that can be used as a dip or spread on bread for an appetizer.

    Is Pesto Keto?

    Is keto pesto friendly? The answer is a resounding yes! The majority of store-bought pesto sauces will be keto-friendly. You still have to pay attention to the ingredients and look out for hidden carbs.

    If you're buying pesto at the store, always read the nutrition label. Keep an eye out for nasty ingredients and the total amount of carbs it contains.

    Our homemade pesto is made from healthy ingredients with no hidden additives. It's super low in carbs and can be used in so many different recipes and as a great keto condiment.

    Ingredients List

    Fresh ingredients for homemade avocado pesto

    To make this homemade pesto sauce you'll need the following ingredients. Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient amounts.

    • Olive oil
    • Basil leaves
    • Avocado
    • Baby spinach
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Sunflower Seeds
    • Lemon juice
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Black pepper

    How To Make Avocado Pesto Sauce

    Let's learn how to make avocado pesto, the perfect keto pesto recipe bursting with basil, garlic and parmesan flavor.

    It's so EASY to make and ready in just 5 minutes, let's get started.

    Step 1

    Wash and dry the fresh basil and spinach then chop the basil, spinach and garlic very well.

    Step 2

    Take the food processor or blender and add the basil, spinach, garlic, avocado, sunflower seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse the mixture a few times until it reaches your desired consistency. Pesto traditionally has a chunky consistency but you can make it smooth as well.

    Step 3

    Finely grate the parmesan cheese and stir it into the pesto until well combined. Optionally garnish with sunflower seeds, enjoy!

    Avocado basil pesto with sunflower seeds ready to enjoy

    You can serve this pesto at room temperature or cold. Cold pesto works great with salads or as a dip.

    The Perfect Pesto Tips

    • Don't just blend everything at once. If you throw all the ingredients into the blender at once it makes the pesto more of a pasty texture. This is because the greens get bruised and the nuts are over blended releasing too much oil.
    Freshly grated parmesan cheese for a healthy pesto
    • Use fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients can make a drastic difference to how your pesto tastes. Always use ripe avocado, fresh basil and fresh spinach.
    Fresh basil in a bowl ready to chop
    • Wash the greens well. Make sure you carefully clean the basil leaves and spinach leaves to avoid any nasty bits in your pesto. Always use cold water otherwise they will wilt. To try your greens gently place them between paper towels or use a salad spinner.
    • Use good olive oil. Make sure the olive oil you're using is one you like the flavor of on its own. Try dipping a cracker in a small amount and see if you like the taste. That's how you know you're working with good olive oil.
    A bowl of sunflower seeds, salt and black pepper
    • Add your favorite nuts. Because nuts are keto-friendly, feel free to mix and match the nuts you use in your pesto. Pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, pecans and pistachios are all great options.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I store pesto?

    A common question that many people have is how to store homemade pesto. Pesto should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

    How long does homemade pesto last?

    Our avocado basil pesto will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. A good trick to keeping your pesto fresh is to pour a small layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation. Cover it with a layer of plastic wrap or use an air-tight container.

    Can you freeze homemade pesto?

    Yes, you can freeze the pesto for about 3-4 months.

    A great way to freeze it is to use ice cube trays. Fill the trays and place them in the freezer, once they're frozen pop them all out and place them in a freezer bag. You can also place it in a freezer bag and lay it flat in the freezer until frozen.

    When you're ready to enjoy the pesto just take it out and let it defrost.

    Pesto Nutrition

    Keto pesto has great nutritional stats that are high in healthy fats and low in carbs. The recipe card below has the complete nutritional breakdown but the highlights are:

    For 3 tablespoons of avocado pesto:

    • 253 total calories
    • 25.9 grams of fat with the majority being unsaturated fat
    • 2.8 grams of fiber
    • 4.2 grams of protein
    • Only 2 grams of net carbs
    Homemade Pesto Recipe

    Keto Pesto Recipe (Avocado Basil Pesto)

    Learn how to make keto pesto with avocado, basil and sunflower seeds. This recipe is a perfect base for many recipes, from salads, chicken, seafood and veggies.
    Pin It Print
    Course: Sauces/Spreads
    Cuisine: American
    Net Carbs: 2
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 253kcal

    Ingredients 

    • ½ cup Olive Oil
    • ½ cup Basil fresh
    • 1 Avocado
    • 1 cup Baby Spinach fresh
    • 4 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese grated
    • 2 tablespoon Sunflower Seeds
    • 1 medium Lemon juice only
    • 1 clove Garlic
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Carefully wash and dry the basil and spinach. Chop the basil, spinach and garlic finely.
    • In a food processor or blender add the basil, spinach, avocado, garlic, olive oil, sunflower seeds, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse the mixture a few times. You can decide whether you want your pest to be a traditional chunky texture or a smooth texture.
    • Finally, grate the parmesan and stir it into the pesto until well combined. Enjoy!

    Readers also love

    Keto Shepherd's Pie Recipe
    Best Keto Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

    Notes

    Net Carbs: 2.0g

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3 tablespoon Calories: 253 kcal Carbohydrates: 4.8 g Protein: 4.2 g Fat: 25.9 g Saturated Fat: 5.1 g Cholesterol: 7 mg Sodium: 481 mg Potassium: 219 mg Fiber: 2.8 g Sugar: 0.5 g Calcium: 101 mg Iron: 1 mg Net Carbs: 2 g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @keto.diet.yum or hashtag #ketodietyum on Instagram so everyone can see the deliciousness!
    Pin It Facebook Twitter
    Join Our Keto Movement!
    We have FREE Keto Meal Plans, Food Lists and Guides for Health and Weight Loss. We'll also send you Keto Hacks and Keto recipes to help you stay on track and achieve fast and long-term results!
    Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
    « Baked Avocado Egg Boats: Healthy and Delicious
    Easy No Bake Keto Cheesecake Recipe »

    If you love this recipe...

    Keto Mocha Latte Recipe

    Easy Keto Mocha Latte (Dairy-Free)

    Keto Tortilla Chips

    Keto Tortilla Chips Recipe

    Keto Baked Chicken Recipe

    Keto Baked Chicken with Yogurt and Lime

    Keto Chai Latte

    Keto Chai Tea Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

    Turmeric Keto Milkshake

    Super Healthy Turmeric Keto Milkshake

    Cauliflower Pizza Crust

    Best Keto Cauliflower Pizza Crust

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jennifer and I am a Keto Addict. I've been super into the Ketogenic Diet ever since I tried it to lose weight. It not only helped with my weight loss goals but also helped me live a more happy, healthy and inspired life.

    more about me →

    Trending

    • Keto Cheat Sheet to Get Into Ketosis Fast
    • 19-Day Keto Diet Plan for Beginners to Get Into Ketosis
    • 19-Day Keto Intermittent Fasting Meal Plan for Beginners
    • Keto Calorie Calculator for Weight Loss
    • The 11 Best Keto Smoothie Recipes for Weight Loss
    • 24 Best Keto Cocktails You Will Love

    Latest

    • Loaded Caesar Wedge Salad
    • Keto Ramen Recipe (Healthy, Easy & Delicious!)
    • One Tray Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
    • Keto Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
    • Baked Chorizo Chips with Cream Cheese Dip
    • Keto Frittata with Zucchini and Goat Cheese

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Home
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact

    Keep Updated!

    Get weekly recipes and keto tips to your inbox.

    Find Us

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Copyright © 2019-2022 KetoDietYum

    50 shares