My avocado pesto is a versatile condiment that is great on bread or crackers or with pasta. Avocado, chives, basil, garlic, olive oil, lime, and pine nuts are whipped together to create this tasty spread.
This update on classic pesto is lick-your-fingers good. The texture of this spread is to die for. Avocado is the key to it being so divinely spreadable. Lime and chives give it that extra depth of flavor.
Ensure you're using an olive oil that you like the taste of. I know that sounds obvious, but it really makes a difference (especially in recipes like this one). And an extra drizzle of olive oil to finish off these delicious morsels.
This avocado pesto is an easy way to please both the herbivores and carnivores in your life, especially if you serve it with some good bread. #winning
I blend the chives right in the avocado pesto spread, but if you're less into onion, you can sprinkle them on top (and/or cut down on that 1 tablespoon I have in the recipe).
Tried this avocado pesto?
Let me know how you enjoyed it in the comments 🙂

Avocado Pesto
Ingredients
Pesto:
- 1 avocado
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 10 large leaves basil
- 1 tablespoon chives chopped (or to taste)
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup olive oil
For serving:
- Baguette or other bread
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add all pesto ingredients except for olive oil to a food processor. Blend on high and slowly drizzle the olive oil in. Once all the oil is in, stop the machine and scrape down the sides. Blend further until the mixture is smooth and consistent.
- Serve immediately (or chill for 30 minutes) on fresh bread or crackers. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and drizzle olive oil over top if desired.
Notes
- This serves 2-4 - depends what you're using it for. It could easily serve 4 if this is just one of many appetizers at a party, for example. Avocado pesto is versatile... you can use it as a spread as I did, or put it into a sandwich as a condiment, dip crackers/pita/veggies in, or even serve it with pasta.
- As this condiment contains avocado, it's best eaten on day 1 or the next day as the avocado will brown.
- This is the food processor I used to make this recipe.
If you like this recipe, you may also like my sun-dried tomato and white bean dip with some crusty bread!
Nicole says
To much garlic and I love garlic so I will go with to cloves instead of the three my fault for not tasting and adding as I go. Super easy and I did it all by hand
Natasha says
Sorry to hear that! Seems like some garlic cloves are gigantic these days too, so that doesn't help. I'm glad you found it easy, at least.
Deanna says
Could I add anhard.cheesento this? Maybe parmesan?
Natasha says
Sure!
Tina says
I’m going to make this for a St.Patricks day for a Bunco party. I plan to take premaid biscuit dough and (somehow) cut them into the shapes of shamrocks. Then spread the Avacado Pesto on too. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the receipe. Looking forward to it.
Natasha says
Ooh that sounds like a great idea! Do let me know how it goes! 🙂
Linda says
Would like to try this but am confused about the number of chives (20?) and whether or not to chop them first before adding to the food processor.
Thanks!
Natasha says
Hi Linda! This is one of my earlier recipes, so I understand why that would seem a little confusing! I agree haha. I’d chop up about a tablespoon or so of chives then add them to your food processor. You could also simply garnish with chives to taste if you want more control of the onion flavor. Hope that helps! I’ll update the recipe to reflect that.
Amy says
I love avocado and I love pasta! Your food photography is amazing!!
Natasha says
Thanks so much Amy!!
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
Mmmm, I love avocado and I love pesto. So what I'm saying is that I love this recipe. Winning indeed. Also pinning 🙂
Sweet Somethings Blog says
LOVE avocado and LOVE pesto! This is brilliant!
P.S. Did you study photography or are you just naturally gifted behind the lens?
Natasha says
Thank you for the compliment! I didn't study photography... I just read a lot of online tutorials/tips and experiment to try and figure out what works. Hit or miss basically!
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
Avocado pesto? Two of my very favorite things combined! Very angry that I don't have any fresh basil in my kitchen right now so I can't put this in a sandwich for lunch.