This grilled Pesto Steak recipe puts a twist on traditional pesto by adding cilantro with the basil, and swapping out pine nuts for almonds.

grilled steak with cilantro almond pesto and corn
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I love pesto as a complement to pasta. The mix of basil and pine nuts is classic. But it’s fun to shake things up once in a while. So that’s why I decided to play around some new pesto flavors for this pesto steak dish. I think you’ll love the results!

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🌟 What makes this pesto steak so delicious

Pesto steak with almonds
  • Quick to make: This pesto steak recipe comes together in just 15 minutes. Perfect for when you’re pressed for time and need to whip up dinner fast.
  • Fresh, nutty flavors: The addition of almond for pine nuts gives this pesto a fresh nuttiness that’s a twist on traditional pesto.
  • Great for barbecues: Throw these steaks on the grill for your next barbecue with friends. They’ll be asking you for the recipe!

🛒 Ingredient notes

Almonds – The almonds add a depth and nutty flavor that is richer than traditional pine nuts.

Cilantro – Adding cilantro along with basil gives this pesto a bit of extra zing and a more herbal flavor.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

cilantro, basil, almonds in blender for pesto.

For the pesto

1. Toss the olive oil, basil, cilantro, garlic, almonds, and salt & pepper into a blender.

2. Pulse until almonds have been sufficiently crushed, then blend/puree for about 2 minutes, until you have a nice thick but somewhat smooth sauce/dip consistency.

For the steak

Pesto steak with almonds, asparagus and corn.

3. Lightly season steak with salt & pepper.

4. Coat the steak by placing it in a large ziplock bag with about 1/2 of the prepared pesto.

5. Grill the steaks for about 4-5 minutes. Let rest for 10-15 minutes, then serve!

❓Recipe FAQs

What can I do with leftover pesto?

Pesto is so versatile. If you have leftover pesto, you can use it as a:
– steak, pork, or chicken marinade
– pasta sauce
– dip for veggies
– condiment for almost any sandwich
– salad dressing
or mix it into frittatas and omelets.

How long will pesto keep?

Pesto will keep for 1-2 weeks in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

🍽 What to serve with pesto steak

A great steak deserved a delicious starch to go along with it. Try serving this pesto steak with Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Rosemary Roasted Glazed Carrots, or Corn with Basil Lime Butter.

Other great grilled dishes

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Grilled Pesto Steak

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Liven up your grilled steak with this savory and bright cilantro almond pesto!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound of thinly sliced sirloin steak
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup Blue Diamond lightly salted almonds
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon lime juice
  • cracked pepper

Instructions 

  • Lightly season steak with salt & pepper, and set aside.
  • Toss all of the remaining ingredients into a blender.
  • Pulse until almonds have been sufficiently crushed, then blend/puree for about 2 minutes, until you have a nice thick but somewhat smooth sauce/dip consistency.
  • Coat the steak by placing it in a large ziplock bag with about 1/2 of the prepared pesto. Set the remaining half of the pesto aside in a jar or airtight container and save for other uses later in the week.
  • Grill the steaks for about 4-5 minutes.
  • Remove from grill and serve. You can also top with a spoonful of additional pesto if you’d like.

Notes

You can keep any remaining pesto in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or freeze in a freezer safe container for longer.

Nutrition

Calories: 1158kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 58g, Fat: 100g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Monounsaturated Fat: 68g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 715mg, Potassium: 1108mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 904IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 190mg, Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. All photos, recipes, and opinions are, as always, my own. 

Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

About Marlynn

I'm a cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, WSET 2 Certified wine pro, mom of two, and dog lover. I'm here to help you with fast, easy, and delicious recipes, food & wine pairings, cooking & baking tips, plus food and wine travel guides.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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37 Comments

  1. JonathonX says:

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  2. Trish - Mom On Timeout says:

    That pesto looks AMAZING! The perfect addition to that steak!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Thank you, Trish!

  3. Catherine says:

    I love pesto but I nearly never make it. Thanks for the inspiration!
    (Also, I picked up a few jars of these Blue Diamond almonds partly on your past posts’ recommendations, and they’re so good! I snack on them throughout the day when I get hungry between meals—which is so often when I was pregnant and now that I’m nursing!)

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      So glad you picked up some of the Blue Diamond almonds, Catherine! They are so good, aren’t they? I actually made this same pesto with their roasted salted almonds as well and it added a nice smoky flavor.