Best 9 Spicy Cilantro Pesto Recipes

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Cilantro pesto is a flavorful sauce that combines the vibrant taste of cilantro with the nutty flavor of pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and cheese. It is a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, often used as a condiment for pasta, fish, and grilled vegetables. Additionally, cilantro pesto can be used as a marinade for chicken, fish, or tofu, adding a spicy and citrusy flavor to your dishes. With its vibrant green color and herbaceous aroma, cilantro pesto is an easy and versatile way to add flavor and depth to your meals.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

ZHOUG: SPICY CILANTRO PESTO RECIPE



Zhoug: Spicy Cilantro Pesto Recipe image

Zhoug is a lesser known Mediterranean sauce, but a must-try! Think spicy, fragrant, cilantro pesto...kinda.

Provided by The Mediterranean Dish

Categories     Sauce/Dip

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 jalapeno peppers (or hot green chiles), sliced
2 garlic cloves
salt
1 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup (packed) fresh parsley
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground green cardamom
1/3 cup Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juice of

Steps:

  • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, add the jalapeno, garlic and salt. Coarsely chop.
  • Now add cilantro, parsley and spices. Run processor until a finer thick paste forms.
  • Transfer the cilantro paste to a bowl. Add the olive oil and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91 calories, Sugar 2.1 g, Sodium 307 mg, Fat 8.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 3 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.2 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE



Creamy Cilantro Pesto Sauce image

A delicious creamy topping for chicken or fish. Can be served cold or hot. I personally prefer it cold on top of hot broiled lemon pepper mahi mahi with brown rice and steamed spinach. Garnish dish with cilantro leaves after topping with sauce.

Provided by KB

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 bunch cilantro leaves
½ cup reduced-fat cream cheese
5 artichoke hearts
2 green onions, or more to taste
5 leaves fresh basil, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper
½ lemon, juiced
1 dash salt

Steps:

  • Blend cilantro leaves, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, green onions, basil, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and salt in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.7 g, Cholesterol 8.9 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 152.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

CILANTRO PESTO



Cilantro Pesto image

This is a wonderful twist on pesto. Sometimes the basil version gets old and you want to impress everyone at the dinner table or potluck with a tasty new version.

Provided by DragonShoes

Categories     Vegetable

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup almonds
3 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine the cilantro, garlic and almonds in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add the parmesan, oil and salt and puree to a smooth paste. Stir into hot pasta and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253.9, Fat 24.3, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 5.5, Sodium 447.3, Carbohydrate 5, Fiber 2, Sugar 1, Protein 6.3

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO



Fabulous Cilantro Pesto image

This is a delicious version of the classic with a little more zip! You can substitute the vinegar with lime juice, lemon juice or Italian salad dressing.

Provided by Gena Urias

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package farfalle pasta
1 bunch fresh cilantro
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup walnuts or pecans
salt to taste
½ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
  • In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
  • Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.8 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 54.8 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CILANTRO PESTO



Cilantro Pesto image

Enjoy this flavorful pesto that's made with cilantro and ready in just 20 minutes. A perfect condiment that can be served over grilled steaks.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Condiment

Time 20m

Yield 37

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 medium jalapeño chiles
2 bunches fresh cilantro
2/3 cup raw unsalted hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese (2 oz)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Remove stems and seeds from jalapeños and large stems from cilantro.
  • In food processor, place 1/3 cup of the pumpkin seeds and 2 cloves of the garlic. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add 1 jalapeño, half of the cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the lime juice. Cover; process until coarsely pureed. With food processor running, pour 1/2 cup of the oil through feed tube; process until smooth.
  • Spoon pesto into medium bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining half of ingredients. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72, Carbohydrate 1 g, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 75 mg

CILANTRO PESTO



Cilantro Pesto image

"Feel free to make this simple pesto ahead of time and freeze it." This brightly colored pesto tastes as fresh as it looks! Karen Deaver, Babylon Village, NY

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
Cooked jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

  • Place cilantro and cheese in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add walnuts and lime juice; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Serve with shrimp.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152 calories, Fat 16g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 40mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CILANTRO PESTO



Cilantro Pesto image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 bunch fresh parsley, stemmed
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stemmed
2 tablespoons almonds, toasted
4 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Hand chop the garlic, parsley, cilantro, and almonds. Combine the pesto mixture with the oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Serve as a dipping sauce with the tortitas de papas cruda y elote.

CILANTRO-PEPITA PESTO



Cilantro-Pepita Pesto image

This flavorful recipe is one of the ways I came up with to use all the cilantro in my garden. Serve it with pasta, tortilla chips for dipping or in any dish that needs perking up. -Ami Okasinski, Memphis, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 20m

Yield 1-1/2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
1/3 cup salted pumpkin seeds or pepitas, toasted
3 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Place the first five ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse just until chopped. Add the lime and lemon juices and salt; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 82 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 130mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SPICY CILANTRO PESTO



Spicy Cilantro Pesto image

Make and share this Spicy Cilantro Pesto recipe from Food.com.

Provided by InstaSpanish

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1/2 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 bunch cilantro, including stems
15 -20 baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tamarind pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon ground almonds
2 tablespoons rotel canned tomatoes
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Throw everything in your food processor, serve chilled over cold pasta or even better over chilled Quinoa. You can also serve over warm noodles, Quinoa, or on Pita bread or even with chips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161.7, Fat 10.6, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 5.5, Sodium 433.5, Carbohydrate 12.5, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 0.8, Protein 6.4

Tips:

  • For a nut-free pesto: Cashews can be substituted with sunflower seeds, almonds or walnuts.
  • Adjust the heat level: Add more or less jalapeños or cayenne pepper to suit your taste preferences.
  • Use fresh herbs: For the best flavor, use freshly chopped cilantro and basil.
  • Make a large batch: Pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Use a variety of nuts: This recipe uses cashews, but you can also use pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon: Lemon juice helps to brighten up the flavor of the pesto.
  • Use a food processor: A food processor is the easiest way to make pesto. If you don't have one, you can use a blender or mortar and pestle.

Conclusion:

Spicy cilantro pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is so easy to make and can be used as a spread, dip, or marinade. The spicy kick from the jalapeños and cayenne pepper adds an extra layer of flavor that is sure to please everyone. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!

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