Homemade vegan cilantro pesto made with fresh cilantro and sunflower seeds.  This pesto comes together in under 15 minutes and is the perfect topping for potatoes or pasta

Cilantro is one of the herbs that people either LOVE unconditionally or one that people HATE with a passion!

So, are you in team LOVE cilantro or team HATE cilantro?

Overhead view of cilantro pesto in a mason jar with a brass spoon that had been dipped in the pesto sauce. A few leaves of cilantro scattered arond mason jar. A few sunflower seeds placed in the middle of the pesto sauce.
Cilantro pesto works great as a spread too. Put it in sandwiches

Standing up for cilantro

When it comes to cilantro, there is no middle ground. No compromise, no “meet me half way” and no “I like it a little bit”

There is a science as to why some can’t stand the taste of cilantro.  It tastes like soap to some people and the reason is because they are genetically predisposed to hate cilantro.

I am one of those in the LOVE cilantro camp.  It is so common in Indian food and not just for garnish.  If you have tasted green chutneys at Indian restaurants, they are made using cilantro

Front view of 3 Vegan Cilantro Pesto ice cubes and Pesto in an 8 oz Mason jar in the background with leaves of cilantro scattered throughout the photo
Store pesto in ice cubes and it can last a long time

If you are looking for a quick pesto recipe, this vegan cilantro pesto is going to be exactly what you need.  I added toasted sunflower seeds for a little nutty flavor.

To keep from adding too much oil to this pesto, I added a little chickpea water.  The water is the liquid you find in cans of chick peas. 

There are so many wonderful uses for it because it is a terrific Egg substitute.

How to preserve from basil pesto

Front view of 3 Vegan Cilantro Pesto ice cubes and Pesto in an 8 oz Mason jar in the background with leaves of cilantro scattered throughout the photo
Store pesto in ice cubes and it can last a long time

This vegan cilantro pesto is also a great way to preserve cilantro.  I can’t tell you how many times I have bought cilantro only to see it wilt away.

Lately, I have been on a “preserve herbs” kick like my basil butter recipe.  Next, I want to try preserving parsley.

Now, I just make the pesto and store it in ice cube trays.  When I am ready to use, I just pop about 2-3 ice cubes into a recipes like this roasted potato recipe.

Front view of Cilantro Pesto in 8 oz Mason Jar with a brass spoon on the side that was dipped in the Mason Jar. Background of Ice Cube Tray filled with pesto and cilantro + Sunflower seeds scattered all around.
Cilantro pesto is good for flavoring roasted vegetables

Other pesto recipes

If you are a fan of different pesto varieties, then I think you will like other types of pestos.

Arugula pesto spread

Arugula is a good base for pesto recipe. This one uses cashews also, giving it a very dense and nutty flavor.

Bell pepper pesto

Made with fresh home grown purple basil and a jar of bell peppers. Such an easy recipe that you will keep making it over and over again.

Scallion pesto

Scallions are not just for garnish. Blend them up and make a creamy pesto recipe.

Tomato pesto

Fresh summer tomatoes can be used in this pesto recipe. It’s unbelievably easy to make and can be used in so many recipes.

In what recipe do you plan to use this cilantro pesto?

Overhead view of cilantro pesto in a mason jar with a brass spoon that had been dipped in the pesto sauce. A few leaves of cilantro scattered arond mason jar. A few sunflower seeds placed in the middle of the pesto sauce.

Cilantro Pesto Sauce

Rini
Homemade vegan cilantro pesto made with fresh cilantro and sunflower seeds
5 from 2 votes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, brunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 2 cups
Calories 377 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a medium pan, roast the sunflower seeds for about 1min until evenly brown
    ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • Wash the cilantro thoroughly then put into a food processor
    3 bunches Cilantro
  • Add the roasted sunflower seeds
    ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • Fill the processor with the remaining ingredients
    2 Tbsp chick peas, 2 tsp chick peas liquid, 1½ tsp salt, 2 tsp whole peppercorns, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 Jalapeno, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Process on medium speed until everything is well blended. 
  • Remove and serve
  • Store the vegan cilantro pesto in glass bottles and refrigerate. Serve with pasta or potatoes
  • To freeze, fill up ice cube tray with the pesto sauce and refrigerate for 8hrs
  • Remove the cubes and transfer to a Ziploc bag. 
  • Mark the date on the bag and refrigerate for up to 6 months. 

Notes

Pesto will be good for about 2 weeks when refrigerated or for up to 6 months when stored in the freezer

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 5gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 1755mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 885IUVitamin C: 13.4mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 2.1mg
Keyword cilantro recipes, how to preserve cilantro, what to make with cilantro
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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15 Comments

  1. You are a geniu……I’ve been wasting cilantro for years not knowing how to preserve it. I love it so much, kept on trying, but this is the answer and I am so grateful for your post.

  2. I am definitely in the camp love for cilantro! I enjoy the flavor and the brightness it gives to a dish and use it often. Big fan of cilantro in salads too. Thank you for another delicious way to enjoy it and I also appreciate the ice cube storing trick – so smart, I hate tossing food and this will keep me from doing that!

    1. The supermarket sells them by the bunch, so, it will be easier to calculate it according to bunches. In terms of cups, it will come out to about 3 cups.

  3. interesting use of chick peas in the pesto. I imagine that gives the pesto a nice viscosity. I’m guilty of wasting cilantro too. I need it in the fridge at all times, but then don’t use it fast enough. Pesto is the answer. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Susan. Yes, the chick peas gave the pesto a nice density. I also like the protein it provides to the recipe.