Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto Recipe

This copycat Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto is a zesty and creamy recipe, which is made with whole lemon rinds and nutty Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s a straightforward recipe, the perfect bright and flavorful sauce ready in about 10 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto Ingredients

A simple list for a bright, unique, and versatile pesto.

• Rinds of 2 lemons (about ¼ cup)
• 2.5 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• Salt to taste

How To Make Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto

A step-by-step guide to this incredibly quick and easy blender sauce.

1. Prepare the Lemons: Carefully peel the lemons, trying to get just the yellow rind and as little of the white pith as possible. You should have about ¼ cup of lemon rinds.
2. Combine Ingredients: Place all the ingredients—the lemon rinds, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, garlic clove, pine nuts, basil leaves, and olive oil—into a blender.
3. Blend Until Smooth: Blend on high speed until the pesto is well combined and smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
4. Season and Serve: Taste the pesto and season with salt as needed. Serve immediately or store for later use.

Recipe Tips

For the creamiest, most flavorful lemon pesto.

• How to get the smoothest pesto? A high-powered blender is the best tool for this recipe as it does the best job of breaking down the tough lemon rinds into a smooth consistency. If your pesto is too thick, you can stream in a little more olive oil or a tablespoon of water while blending to help it loosen up.
• Why use the lemon rinds? The lemon rind (or zest) contains a huge amount of fragrant essential oils, which provides an incredibly intense, bright, and complex lemon flavor that you can’t get from the juice alone.
• How to avoid a bitter pesto? The white layer underneath the yellow rind, called the pith, can be quite bitter. Try to use a vegetable peeler to remove just the thin yellow part of the peel for the best flavor.
• Can I use a food processor? Yes, a food processor will work, but the final texture may be a bit coarser than what you’d get from a blender. You may need to run it for a bit longer and scrape down the sides more frequently.

What To Serve With Lemon Pesto

Perfect pairings for this versatile and zesty sauce.

This bright and flavorful pesto is incredibly versatile. It’s fantastic with:

• Pasta: Toss with hot pasta (like spaghetti or penne) and a splash of pasta water for a quick and easy dinner.
• Chicken or Fish: Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or spoon it over a simple baked salmon fillet.
• Sandwiches: Use it as a vibrant spread for sandwiches and paninis.
• Vegetables: Drizzle it over roasted or steamed vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.

How To Store Lemon Pesto

Keeping your pesto fresh and vibrant.

• Refrigerate: The best way to store fresh pesto is to place it in a small jar or airtight container and pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top. This prevents the surface from oxidizing and turning brown. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Freeze: You can freeze lemon pesto for longer storage. A great way to do this is to portion it into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, you can transfer the pesto cubes to a freezer bag for quick, individual servings.

Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per tablespoon.

• Calories: 80 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 8 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Lobster Pasta Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Chicken Meatballs Recipe