As rich and creamy as pine nuts make the sauce thanks to their oiliness, ... Make Pesto Nut-Free With This Simple Protein Swap. Luna Regina. Mon, July 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM UTC. 3 min read.

Pine nuts, which can be expensive, aren't the only nut to use for pesto. Find amazing pesto recipes with alternative nuts like walnuts and almonds, and even delicious nut-free pestos.

While pesto and pine nuts have become a bit synonymous with each other, there are actually many other ways to incorporate them into your cooking. Case in point: pine nut butter.

But, it turns out, just as nuts can turn chopped herbs and cheese into a luxurious, silky sauce, raisins can do the same. Don't be fooled—this pesto doesn't taste like dessert at all.

The original pesto alla Genovese is made with just five ingredients: basil, olive oil, grated cheese like Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and pine nuts. On top of that, pesto isn't even cooked.

And our thanks — to reader Kirsten for alerting us to the potential hazard of eating pine nuts — no small matter, this being pesto season (we very much like pesto here at Booster Shots).

Pine nuts are number 2 on the list of the world’s most expensive nuts (topped only by macadamia nuts!), which is why this list of pine nut substitutes will probably come in handy. Pine nuts are ...