Charred Herb Pesto

This charred herb pesto is the perfect summer sauce. Made with fresh mint, basil and parsley it is easy to make. The char gives it a nice smokey flavor that makes it a perfect sauce that can go on any of your grilled meats and pasta dishes that you make throughout the summer.

Pesto is one of those sauces that is perfect for the summer. As basil is in season and grows like a weed if you cultivate it, this is the perfect twist on a classic dish. It only takes a few minutes to make and heating the grill is the most time-consuming part. Use it on your grilled chicken, pork or fish and even tossed with your favorite grilled veggies. It is also great in a pasta salad or used like you would like a traditional pesto sauce.

Table of Contents

In this recipe

One of the best parts about pesto is how easy it is to make and the freshness of the ingredients and the sauce itself. These simple ingredients are easy to find and with a simple technique they are transformed into a flavorful sauce.

Basil: this is the foundation of the pesto and the basis of the sauce and gives the pesto it’s classic flavor.

Mint: adds bright pop of flavor that goes well with the basil and lemon.

Pine nuts: will add some nuttiness and creaminess to the pesto

Parmesan cheese: a classic staple in pesto

Ingredients for charred herb pesto on a wooden cutting board
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Making charred herb pesto

This is one of those recipes that come together very quickly, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time making it. It is best that you start with preheating the grill. While it is preheating that is when you want to toast the pine nuts. By the time they are done toasting the grill will be nice and hot. Once that is done place the herbs and garlic in the grilling basket and put over direct heat. It will not take much time to toast, about 30 seconds before they will need to be rotated.

Fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon in a grilling basket
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Cooked herbs in a grilling basket
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Once the herbs are starting to darken, remove them from the heat. Now is the time to add everything into the food processor with the exception of the olive oil. Pulse in order to blend everything together. The important part is to slowly pour the olive oil into the food processor while it is on so everything mixes well. Once all of the olive oil has been combined blend for another 30 seconds or so and your pesto is ready to go.

Ingredients for charred herb pesto in a food processor
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Pesto in a food processor
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Pesto storage

You can store the pesto in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and for up to 3 months in the freezer. The oil may solidify on the top and that is ok for the pesto. If you want to freeze it the easiest way is to spoon it into an ice cube tray. Once it is frozen pop them out and place them into an airtight container. This prevents you from having to defrost all of the pesto for your recipe. I like to double or triple the recipe and save it for later.

A while bowl of charred herb pesto
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Looking for other sauces for grilling recipes?

Charred herb pesto in a white bowl
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Charred Herb Pesto

Sean
This charred herb pesto is the perfect summer sauce. Made with fresh mint, basil and parsley it is easy to make. The char gives it a nice smokey flavor that makes it a perfect sauce that can go on any of your grilled meats and pasta dishes that you make throughout the summer.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Course Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 servings
Calories 332 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Grill
  • Grilling basket
  • Sauté pan
  • Zester

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup basil fresh, packed
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup parsley fresh, packed
  • ¼ cup mint fresh, packed
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat the grill to high or 450°F or 230°C.
  • While the grill is heating over medium high toast the pine nuts in the sauté pan, about 3-5 minutes.
    ¼ cup pine nuts
  • In a grilling basket add the basil, parsley, mint and garlic. Place on the grill over direct heat and cook for 1 minute turning the herbs halfway though.
    1 cup basil, ½ cup parsley, ¼ cup mint, 3 cloves garlic
  • Remove the basket from the heat and place the herbs and garlic in a food processor. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts.
    ¼ cup parmesan cheese, 1½ tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Turn on the food processor and when the herbs and pine nuts are blended slowly pour in the olive oil and blend until smooth.
    ½ cup olive oil

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 264mgPotassium: 151mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1121IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer*
Keyword Fresh Basil, Mediterranean, Pesto
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