Homemade pesto is one of my favorite paleo sauces because it makes a boring dish way more interesting.

But because I am currently on an AIP diet, I made a variation for that diet as well.

This recipe is also Whole 30 compliant so it works for a lot of eating choices.

I have about a dozen basil plants growing in my garden and in planters on my deck just for the purpose of making pesto. Bonus: basil keeps black flies away!

Find out more about basil and why I love it (and other favorite herbs).

Paleo Pesto Recipe (AIP Option)

Pesto is one of the simplest sauces to make. It’s a tasty and luxurious sauce though that always makes me feel like I’m eating something special! Here are the basic for making pesto:

• Add basil, nuts (or coconut flakes), garlic, nutritional yeast, and salt to a food processor and pulse to combine.
• Then slowly stream in the olive oil while the food processor is running.

It’s really as simple as that!

Tips for Amazing Pesto

Here are my best tips for making your pesto especially delicious and fun:

• Use the highest quality olive oil you can find (I like California Olive Ranch).
• Consider adding 1/4 cup of parsley or other herbs for an interesting variation.
• Try adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (or zest) for a brighter flavor.

How to Store and Preserve Pesto

I put the pesto in (labeled) jam jars and throw them in the freezer for the winter.

It will also stay for a few weeks in the refrigerator. To make it last longer do this:

• Refrigerate until the olive oil in the sauce hardens a bit.
• Add extra olive oil to the top (this keeps the herbs fresher and greener).
• store in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

When I want to use pesto for a dish, I take a jar out of the freezer and let it thaw for an hour or so before using. I have also thawed it quickly by sitting the jar in warm water.

Can You Have Pesto on a Paleo Diet (or AIP diet)?

Traditional pesto is made with pine nuts or other nuts as well as Parmesan cheese. Most varieties you find in the store will have these ingredients.

But if you are eating a paleo diet you may not be eating dairy and if you’re eating an AIP diet diet, you aren’t eating dairy or nuts. So I created this simple recipe so that I could use the abundance of basil I have in the garden.

So the answer is: yes, you can have pesto on a paleo diet, as long as you make it yourself (find a paleo legal one) you’re good to go.

How to use Paleo Pesto Sauce

Pesto is a great sauce for making a dish pop. Here are my favorite ways to use it:

• Use it onn pizza
• Add it to a sandwich bread or lettuce wrap
• Use as a sauce in a turkey roll-up
• Mix into dairy-free yogurt for a fun dip
• drizzle over roasted veggies

Pesto can be used for many delicious dishes all year long.

More Ways to Preserve the Harvest

If you are wondering how to preserve your garden harvest, try these ideas:

• freezing squash
• preserving basil
• Preserving Tomatoes
• preserving zucchini
• fermented root vegetables
• Sauerkraut recipe

What is your favorite way to use basil pesto?