This site uses only a few technical cookies necessary for its operation. By continuing to browse, you accept their use.
To find out more...
To find out more...
Beet leaf pesto
Here's a pesto recipe made with beet leaves, where the pine nuts are replaced by roasted walnuts.
The result is a highly original pesto, with an astonishing pinkish-green color and a delicious little bitterness.
The result is a highly original pesto, with an astonishing pinkish-green color and a delicious little bitterness.
7,055 5/5 (1 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
250 g
8 IngredientsLast modified on: June 4th 2025
50 g walnuts
150 g beet tops
1 
50 g Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
2 pinches 
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 15 min.
Cooking: 5 min.
All in all: 20 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 1 min.
Place 50 g walnuts in a small frying pan over medium heat...
Stage 2 - 5 min.
Stage 3 - 5 min.
Wash then spin-dry 150 g beet tops, keeping only the leaves.
Stage 4 - 1 min.
Place the leaves in a food processor, sprinkle with half the 1 lemon juice, and blend for a few seconds.
If necessary, process the beet leaves in batches - we just want to reduce their volume a little.
If necessary, process the beet leaves in batches - we just want to reduce their volume a little.
Stage 5 - 2 min.
Add the rest of the lemon juice, the zest of half the lemon, the walnuts, 2 pinches vitamin C if necessary (to avoid oxidation and keep a nice color), salt, pepper and a little olive oil.
Stage 6 - 3 min.
Stage 7 - 3 min.
Place in a jar, pour a film of oil over the top, close tightly and store in the fridge.
Remarks
We don't use the stems, just the leaves, so there's no need to blanch.
The proportions are only indicative, so feel free to adapt them to the beet tops you have and your own taste.
The proportions are only indicative, so feel free to adapt them to the beet tops you have and your own taste.
Keeping: Several days in a closed jar in the fridge.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 30 RDI=10 % | 30 RDI=3 % | 40 RDI=6 % | 580 RDI=30 % | 2,420 RDI: 30 % |
| Per 100 g | 8 RDI=3 % | 7 RDI=1 % | 10 RDI=2 % | 150 RDI=8 % | 640 RDI: 8 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 250 g : 1.70 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Beet tops
Like these other recipes: Tenderloin steak with beetroot tops and mushrooms, Polenta with beetroot tops, Gratin of beet tops and potatoes, "Au vert" beef, ... See them all 4
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Pesto crackers, Gratin of purple artichokes, Carrot-top pesto, Curried prawn risotto, Parmesan cauliflower cheese, ... See them all 60
Walnuts
Like these other recipes: Bistro-style endive salad, Poitevin twist, Caramelised walnuts, Jura bread, ... See them all 4
Lemon
Like these other recipes: Lemon tart, Plum tart "En passant par la Lorraine", Baked salmon fillet, Lille style chicken, Citrus syrup, ... See them all 124
Other recipes you may also like
Chocolate madeleines
Simple and delicious, goes very well with tea or coffee.March 10th 2019311 K3.8 1 hour 15 min.
Blackcurrant liqueur
The fruit liqueurs (or "creams" in French) are a mix of neutral alcohol in which fruits are macerated, and sugar syrup. They are the basis of the very famous "Kir", mixture of dry white wine and blackcurrant liqueur. This recipe is for blackcurrant, but it can be made with other soft fruits like...August 3rd 2013866 K 44.7 55 min.
Maroilles cheese quiche
Traditional recipe from northern France, using a typical and tasty regional cheese. But this can be replaced by another (see below).April 17th 2022257 K 34.7 2 hours 30 min.
Celeriac soup with mustard
This delicious creamy soup is very quick to make.May 4th 2012158 K4.6 45 min.
Wiener Schnitzel
A Wiener schnitzel is a thin veal cutlet (escalope) coated in breadcrumbs.September 7th 2018149 K4.1 1 hour 20 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-08-31)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.