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Walnut Sage Pesto
☆☆☆☆☆ Be the first to rateUse it as a sauce for chicken, fish, and roasted vegetables, spread it on sandwiches, or add a spoonful to your favorite low-carb meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
**Fresh, flavorful, and wonderfully versatile, this Keto Sage Pesto is an easy way to use up extra sage from your garden!** Made with fresh sage, garlic, toasted walnuts or pecans, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil, this homemade pesto comes together in just 10 minutes. It's naturally low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy fats, making it a delicious addition to a keto-friendly lifestyle.
THE RECIPE
Ingredients & preparation
Check off ingredients as you go, then follow each step.
Preparation
Ingredients
Preparation steps
- 1
Toast the nuts.
For the best flavor, lightly toast your walnuts or pecans before making the pesto. Choose one of these methods: Oven: Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. Skillet: Toast in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently. Air Fryer: Toast at 300°F for 4–6 minutes.
- 2
Prepare the sage.
Wash the fresh sage leaves and dry them thoroughly. A salad spinner works especially well for removing excess moisture.
- 3
Add the ingredients.
Roughly chop the sage and place it in a food processor. Add the toasted nuts, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- 4
Add the olive oil.
Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil.
- 5
Blend until smooth.
Process until the pesto reaches your preferred consistency. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula if needed.
- 6
Season and serve.
Add salt and black pepper to taste. Give the pesto one final blend, then enjoy!
Notes & tips
Tips for the Best Sage Pesto
- Toast your nuts: This simple step brings out their natural flavor and adds a delicious depth to the pesto.
- Dry the sage well: Excess water can affect the texture and storage quality of your pesto.
- Adjust the consistency: Add a little more olive oil if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Customize the nuts: Walnuts and pecans both work beautifully in this recipe.
- Make extra: If you have an abundance of sage in your garden, this recipe is easy to double or triple.
How to Store Sage Pesto
Have leftover pesto? Don't let it go to waste!
One of the easiest ways to preserve homemade pesto is to freeze it in a silicone ice cube tray.
- Spoon the pesto into individual silicone cube compartments.
- Place the tray in the freezer until the pesto is completely frozen.
- Remove the frozen pesto cubes and transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or vacuum-sealed bag.
- Store in the freezer until you're ready to use them.
Freezing pesto in individual portions makes it easy to grab just the amount you need for a quick meal. It's especially handy when your garden produces more sage than you can use at once!
Is Sage Pesto Keto-Friendly?
Yes! Traditional pesto ingredients like fresh herbs, olive oil, nuts, and Parmesan cheese are naturally low in carbohydrates. This sage pesto contains approximately 0.5 grams of net carbohydrates per serving, making it an excellent condiment for low-carb and keto-friendly meals.
Keep in mind that pesto is also calorie-dense because of its olive oil, nuts, and cheese. A little goes a long way!
This recipe makes approximately seven servings of 2 tablespoons each, with about 206 calories per serving. While its healthy fats can add satisfying flavor and energy to a meal, portion size is worth keeping in mind, particularly if you're following a calorie-controlled eating plan.
For a balanced keto-friendly meal, try serving this pesto with grilled chicken or fish alongside non-starchy vegetables such as zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower.
What to Serve with Keto Sage Pesto
This versatile sauce can add a burst of flavor to so many dishes. Try it with:
- Grilled or baked chicken
- Pan-seared salmon or white fish
- Roasted zucchini and cauliflower
- Grilled vegetables
- Keto-friendly sandwiches and wraps
- Zucchini noodles
- Roasted mushrooms
- Low-carb egg dishes
A spoonful of sage pesto can turn a simple meal into something special!
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