Go Back
–+ servings
7 Best Substitutes for Pesto Sauce in Italian-Style Cooking

7 Best Substitutes for Pesto Sauce

No ratings yet
Pesto substitutes vary by flavor and use. Match the substitute to your dish's needs for coating, spreading, or flavor profile. Adjust ratios and taste as you go for best results.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 9 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: Fusion, Italian, Latin American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1 Basil Walnut Pesto Use in equal amounts as pesto. Earthier, nuttier flavor, good for Italian pasta and bread spreads. Skip if allergic to tree nuts.
  • 1 1 Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Use equal amount as pesto. Coats pasta well with tangy, umami flavor. Good for cooking. Skip if you want bright basil flavor.
  • 1 1 Spinach Walnut Sauce Use equal amount as pesto. Milder herbal flavor, creamy texture, good on vegetables and sandwiches. Add garlic for extra punch.
  • 1.25 1 Arugula Parmesan Blend Use 1.25 tablespoons for 1 tablespoon pesto. Peppery and sharp, best for salads and light pasta. Loosen with olive oil if needed.
  • 1 1 Cilantro Lime Sauce Use equal amount as pesto. Bright, citrusy flavor for Latin dishes. Skip for traditional Italian recipes.
  • 1 1 Store-Bought Pesto Use equal amount as pesto. Less fresh but convenient. May be oilier; taste and adjust oil in dish.
  • 1 1 Pine Nut Garlic Spread Use equal amount as pesto. Nutty and garlicky without herbs, good as spread or drizzle. Toast pine nuts before blending.

Method
 

  1. Choose a substitute based on your dish and desired flavor profile.
  2. Prepare the substitute as needed, such as blending until smooth or toasting nuts for pine nut garlic spread.
  3. Use the indicated substitution ratio for the chosen substitute (mostly 1:1, except arugula parmesan blend at 1.25:1).
  4. Apply the substitute in cooking or spreading just as you would pesto.
  5. Taste and adjust consistency or seasoning with additional ingredients like garlic or olive oil as needed.

Notes

Blend basil walnut pesto smoothly to avoid gritty texture and ensure it binds well without splitting.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!