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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Milk Street Community

Red Beet and Walnut Pesto

1 cup

10 minutes

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Milk Street Facebook Community member Mia Lieberman of Watertown, Massachusetts, makes a colorful pesto with roasted beets. Toasted walnuts and salty Parmesan cheese complement the beets' natural sweetness, and a little lemon brightens up the flavors. Store-bought cooked beets make this a breeze to throw together; you’ll find them in the refrigerated produce section of the supermarket. This recipe makes enough pesto to sauce 1 pound of pasta (reserve a little pasta water to add while tossing); Liberman also recommends it on pizza and we think it makes a fantastic spread on sandwiches.

1

cup

Tip

Don’t process the pesto until smooth. The texture is best when it’s a little chunky.

10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4

    ounces cooked red beets, cut into rough 1-inch chunks

  • 1

    teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Reviews
Jill F.
May 30, 2025
Surprisingly delicious
I have to admit to being a little skeptical of this recipe, but I tried it because I had packaged beets (as well as the other ingredients) on hand. It was quite delicious, and I can easily imagine making it again.

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