How To Make Pesto Sauce With Cilantro

You can make pesto sauce with cilantro by swapping the basil for fresh cilantro leaves and blending them with nuts, garlic, olive oil, and cheese.
 
Yes, cilantro pesto is a real thing, and it’s absolutely delicious if you love that bright, citrusy herb.
 
If you’ve been asking how to make pesto sauce with cilantro, you’re in the right place because this twist on the classic Italian sauce is easy, fast, and packed with flavor.
 
Cilantro pesto works beautifully on pasta, tacos, grilled fish, and even toast.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pesto sauce with cilantro step by step, plus variations and storage tips.
 
Let’s dive in so you can start making pesto sauce with cilantro at home.
 

Why Make Pesto Sauce With Cilantro

Making pesto sauce with cilantro is one of the smartest ways to use up a big bunch of this herb before it wilts.
 
Here’s why you should try making pesto sauce with cilantro:
 

1. Cilantro Brings a Bright, Zesty Flavor

When you make pesto sauce with cilantro, you get a fresher, more citrusy kick than traditional basil pesto.
 
Cilantro has a lively, grassy taste with hints of lime, which makes pesto sauce with cilantro perfect for Mexican, Thai, and Indian-inspired dishes.
 

2. It’s a Fast Way to Use Up Cilantro

Cilantro tends to wilt quickly in the fridge, so making pesto sauce with cilantro is a great way to rescue those leftover leaves.
 
Instead of tossing them out, you can blend them into a jar of pesto sauce with cilantro that lasts for days.
 

3. Pesto Sauce With Cilantro Is Versatile

You can drizzle pesto sauce with cilantro over tacos, mix it into rice, spread it on sandwiches, or toss it with pasta.
 
The options are endless once you learn how to make pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

How to Make Pesto Sauce With Cilantro Step by Step

Learning how to make pesto sauce with cilantro takes about ten minutes and a food processor or blender.
 
Here’s the simple process for making pesto sauce with cilantro:
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make pesto sauce with cilantro, you’ll need two cups of fresh cilantro leaves, half a cup of nuts, two garlic cloves, half a cup of olive oil, half a cup of grated Parmesan, and a squeeze of lime.
 
Pine nuts are traditional, but almonds, walnuts, or pepitas work great when making pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

2. Blend the Leaves and Nuts

Pulse the cilantro, nuts, and garlic in your processor until they’re coarsely chopped.
 
This step builds the base of your pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

3. Stream In the Olive Oil

With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until your pesto sauce with cilantro becomes smooth and creamy.
 

4. Add Cheese and Lime

Toss in the Parmesan and a squeeze of lime, then pulse a few more times.
 
The lime brightens up the pesto sauce with cilantro and keeps the color vibrant green.
 

5. Taste and Adjust

Season your pesto sauce with cilantro using salt and pepper, then taste it.
 
Add more lime, garlic, or cheese until your pesto sauce with cilantro tastes just right.
 

Tips for the Best Pesto Sauce With Cilantro

A few small tricks make a big difference when you make pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

1. Toast Your Nuts First

Toasting the nuts before blending adds depth to your pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

2. Use Fresh, Dry Leaves

Wet cilantro makes watery pesto sauce with cilantro, so dry the leaves well after washing.
 

3. Add a Pinch of Salt Early

Salt helps break down the leaves, giving you a smoother pesto sauce with cilantro.
 

4. Store It Properly

Keep your pesto sauce with cilantro in a jar topped with a thin layer of olive oil, and it’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
 
You can also freeze pesto sauce with cilantro in ice cube trays for months.
 

So, How Do You Make Pesto Sauce With Cilantro?

You make pesto sauce with cilantro by blending fresh cilantro leaves with nuts, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, and a squeeze of lime.
 
It’s a fast, flavorful twist on classic pesto that uses up leftover herbs and brightens up any meal.
 
Now that you know how to make pesto sauce with cilantro, grab a bunch and give it a try.
 
Your pasta, tacos, and taste buds will thank you.