Broccoli pesto is an easy and delicious way to get your family to eat more vegetables. Throw it together in just minutes, and spread over just about anything. Only 5 simple ingredients.
Classic pesto made with fresh basil is a summer fav in our household. I’ve made variations with parsley, cilantro, and fennel, but had never thought of using broccoli. Until now. And I’m obsessed.
I had lunch with a friend recently at a local farm to table restaurant, and when her plate came, her bread was smothered with a beautiful spread that turned out to be broccoli pesto. Brilliant! Why had I not thought of that? So obviously I had to come right home and make my own version.
There are 3 things that I changed in my version of broccoli pesto.
- I lightly steamed my broccoli cuz my belly prefers it cooked. Easier to digest.
- I left out the cheese. Cuz again, my belly prefers to avoid dairy.
- I’ve used more than just basil as my second herb for this recipe. I’ve made it with parsley and cilantro as well. Both are amazing! So use whatever you have.
I’ve always been a fan of simple things. And this broccoli pesto is a simple recipe that packs a big punch. Plus the hidden veggies! It goes well with so many things. I’ve been eating it with my breakfast eggs, used it as a salad dressing, and topped my baked sweet potato with it last night.
With only 5 ingredients, it’s definitely a minimalist recipe that anyone can throw together. Feel free to add anything else that you usually love in pesto. Some suggestions would be garlic and lemon. Or a good Parmesan cheese, if cheese is your thing.
Lots of love to you all and enjoy!
xo,
Katja
Yield:
Print
PinIngredients
- 1/2 cup basil, parsley, or cilantro
- 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed and cooled **see note below
- 1/2 cup olive oil (I use THIS organic, cold pressed brand)
- 1/3 cup pine nuts, macadamia nuts, or pumpkin seeds
- salt to taste
OPTIONAL
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 clove of garlic
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place basil (or parsley or cilantro) into food processor and process until broken into tiny pieces. Scrape sides, add rest of ingredients (except salt) and and process again until smooth. Salt to taste and add more olive oil to desired consistency.
- Store in air tight glass jar in fridge until ready to use.
Notes
** I use a stainless steel steamer basket to steam the broccoli. About 3-4 minutes is enough for this recipe, so the broccoli is tender but still bright green.
Click HERE to PIN THIS!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Carrie @ Clean Eating Kitchen says
October 2, 2017 at 9:50 amSuch a creative way to use broccoli. I bet it smells amazing, too!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 8:22 amYou really can’t go wrong with pesto, right?
Tina says
October 2, 2017 at 11:38 amI love pesto! Never made one with broccoli before tho! Sounds amazing!
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 8:26 amI love it too. I had never used broccoli before either. It’s so good!
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:25 amI hope you get a chance to try it. I’m totally sold on broccoli pesto now.
Hannah Healy says
October 2, 2017 at 11:52 amWhat a great idea to sneak some broccoli into tasty pesto!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:25 amRight! The kiddos gobble it up. And the flavor is so good.
Jean says
October 2, 2017 at 3:01 pmSuch a brilliant idea to add broccoli in pesto! I can’t wait to try this version. Pesto is my favorite!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 8:21 amMe, too! It really is super delicious.
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:26 amIt’s my fav too. Enjoy!
Renee says
October 2, 2017 at 3:33 pmOoo this is so fun! What a great idea! And such a great way to get some extra veggies in in a fun way!
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:27 amRight?!? The kiddos love it. I din’t think they even notice that it’s broccoli.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
October 2, 2017 at 11:34 pmThis is such a great idea!!! I’ve never made anything like this before but I love pesto and I love broccoli. Can’t wait to make some!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:29 amThank, Emily!!
Megan Stevens says
October 3, 2017 at 10:24 amSUCH a good idea! I thank you, too, that it’s dairy-free. Love the lemon. Definitely going to make this! Yes, yay for gentle digestion and cooked broccoli!
Katja Heino says
October 3, 2017 at 11:28 amYes, raw broccoli is not my friend. I think the flavor is better too with slightly steamed broccoli.
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
October 4, 2017 at 1:31 pmI love anything made into pesto, but I haven’t tried broccoli yet, so thanks for the awesome inspiration!
Katja Heino says
October 4, 2017 at 1:50 pmYou are welcome, Kari!
Donna says
October 7, 2017 at 6:18 amOooh I’m loving the thought of this pesto on zoodles, loaded with goodness and taste – yummmmm xxD
Katja Heino says
October 8, 2017 at 8:19 pmYES! I love that it’s got extra veggies in it.
ChihYu says
October 8, 2017 at 5:25 pmLove pesto and I’m so happy to have a broccoli version to add variety ! Thank you !
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 8, 2017 at 8:19 pmYou’re welcome, ChihYu!
Cristina says
October 8, 2017 at 11:32 pmI’m such a sucker for a nutritionally dense condiment! Definitely making this!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:36 pmYay! Hope you love it!
Irena Macri says
October 8, 2017 at 11:49 pmLove the hidden veggies in this pesto. This would be a great condiment or a side with fish or grilled chicken. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:36 pmYES! Would be great on both chicken and fish!
Vanessa Woozley says
October 9, 2017 at 5:49 amWe make pesto A LOT in my house!! I’ve not tried it with broccoli but a great shout as I have lots in my fridge at the moment, thanks for the inspiration.
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:35 pmHope you love it!
Darryl says
October 9, 2017 at 12:00 pmLove this dish! A great idea of using broccoli for pesto, thank you!
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:33 pmThanks, Darryl!
Holley @ThePrimalDesire.com says
October 9, 2017 at 4:55 pmum… yum, and what a great color!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:33 pmRight?!? It’s so pretty!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
October 12, 2017 at 9:35 amYum! What a tasty and easy way to get in more veggies!
Katja Heino says
October 14, 2017 at 12:25 pmThanks, Kelly!
Bethany Irwin says
June 17, 2019 at 8:30 pmLate to the party here but just wanted to let you know that this has saved lunchtime battles feeding my 10 month old. I am struggling with dairy-free ideas due to her (probable) cows milk allergy and this stirred into scrambled eggs is a real winner! I sprinkle a bit of nutritional yeast in it to fake the cheesy hit I crave, it’s so delicious. Thank you!
★★★★★
Katja Heino says
June 24, 2019 at 2:48 pmYay! I’m so glad your little one likes this. It’s such an easy way to get a bit more veggies in. 🙂