Common Ingredients in mint pesto Recipes

We researched the most common ingredients in over a dozen popular mint pesto recipes and found the top 15 ingredients.

The most common ingredient in mint pesto dishes is olive oil.

Garlic, lemon, parsley, parmesan and almonds are also common ingredients in mint pesto recipes. For herbs and spices, mint and basil are popular. Variations include:

  • feta cheese and eggs in place of parmesan
  • walnuts and pistachios in place of almonds
Salt is in 85% of mint pesto recipes and pepper, 55%.

The average mint pesto recipe has about 11.3 ingredients, with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 23.

In terms of directions, mint pesto recipes have about 4.1 steps on average, ranging from 1 to 12 instructions.

An average mint pesto recipe takes about 46 minutes to prepare, ranging from 5 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

Parent Dish: Pesto
Sibling Dishes: Basil Pesto

Ratios of Common Ingredients in Mint Pesto

For 2 tablespoon olive oil (27 g), the median and average amounts of other significant ingredients are below. Some ingredients are potential substitutes for others, meaning they almost never exist together in a single mint pesto recipe, and are marked below.

Ingredient Median Average % of recipes with olive oil Potential subsitutions
mint a quarter cup
(6 g)
0.44 cup
(11 g)
100%
garlic 0.67 clove
(2 g)
1 clove
(3 g)
75%
parsley a quarter cup
(15 g)
0.35 cup
(21 g)
45%
parmesan 2 tablespoon
(11 g)
1.5 tablespoon
(8 g)
40%
  • feta cheese
  • eggs
lemon juice 1.3 tablespoon
(20 g)
1.4 tablespoon
(22 g)
35%

Ingredients by Average Weight in Mint Pesto

We also found the average content of the significant ingredients by weight in mint pesto recipes. This would be: 32% olive oil, 13% ziti pasta, 12% parsley, 12% lamb, 11% mint, 5% parmesan, 4% lemon juice, 4% almonds, 3% walnuts, 3% basil, 2% garlic and 1% lemon.

Here are the top ingredients, listed in order of popularity.

olive oil

Image of olive oil

Olive oil is the most popular ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, 100% of mint pesto recipes contain olive oil.

Olive oil is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 2 tablespoons, half a cup or a quarter cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain olive oil, it is on average, 15% by weight.

For mint pesto recipes, olive oil is frequently used with mint, salt, garlic, black pepper and parsley.

mint

Image of mint

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is mint. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, 100% have mint.

Mint pesto dishes often call for mint to be packed, picked and dried.

Mint is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 2 cups, half a cup or 1 cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain mint, it is on average, 5% by weight.

In recipes for mint pesto, mint is often used with olive oil, salt, garlic, black pepper and parsley.

salt

Image of salt

Salt is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 85% of mint pesto recipes contain salt.

In mint pesto recipes that contain salt, it is on average, 0.2% by weight.

Olive oil, mint, garlic, black pepper and parsley are commonly used together with salt in mint pesto dishes.

garlic

Image of garlic

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is garlic. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 75% have garlic.

Chopped is a frequent preparation for garlic in mint pesto dishes.

Garlic is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 2 cloves, 1 clove or 3 cloves.

In mint pesto recipes that contain garlic, it is on average, 1.1% by weight.

For mint pesto recipes, garlic is frequently used with olive oil, mint, salt, parsley and black pepper.

lemon

Image of lemon

Lemon is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 60% of mint pesto recipes contain lemon.

Variations of lemon include:
In recipes for mint pesto, lemon is often used with olive oil, mint, salt, black pepper and parmesan.

lemon juice

Image of lemon juice

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is lemon juice. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 35% have lemon juice.

Lemon juice is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 2 tablespoons.

In mint pesto recipes that contain lemon juice, it is on average, 5% by weight.

For mint pesto recipes, lemon juice is frequently used with mint, olive oil, salt, garlic and black pepper. However, ziti pasta, plum tomatoes, eggs and bread are almost never used together with lemon juice in mint pesto dishes.

pepper

Image of pepper

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is pepper. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 55% have pepper.

Variations of pepper include: Parsley, mint, salt, garlic and olive oil are commonly used together with pepper in mint pesto dishes.

black pepper

Image of black pepper

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is black pepper. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 45% have black pepper.

In mint pesto recipes that contain black pepper, it is on average, 0.1% by weight.

In recipes for mint pesto, black pepper is often used with olive oil, mint, salt, garlic and parsley.

Potential substitutions for black pepper in mint pesto:
  • cumin
Also, black pepper is not often used with eggs and bread.

parsley

Image of parsley

Parsley is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 45% of mint pesto recipes contain parsley.

Packed and chopped are frequent preparations for parsley in mint pesto dishes.

Parsley is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 1 cup or a quarter cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain parsley, it is on average, 12% by weight.

For mint pesto recipes, parsley is frequently used with garlic, olive oil, mint, salt and black pepper. However, bread is almost never used together with parsley in mint pesto dishes.

parmesan

Image of parmesan

Parmesan is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 40% of mint pesto recipes contain parmesan.

Grated is a frequent preparation for parmesan in mint pesto dishes.

In mint pesto recipes that contain parmesan, it is on average, 6% by weight.

Mint, olive oil, garlic, salt and walnuts are commonly used together with parmesan in mint pesto dishes.

Potential substitutions for parmesan in mint pesto:
  • feta cheese
  • eggs
Also, parmesan is not often used with plum tomatoes, onion, rosemary, cumin and honey.

basil

Image of basil

Basil is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 30% of mint pesto recipes contain basil.

Mint pesto dishes often call for basil to be packed.

Basil is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of 1 cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain basil, it is on average, 4% by weight.

In recipes for mint pesto, basil is often used with olive oil, mint, garlic, salt and lemon juice. On the other hand, basil is almost never used with zest lemon, feta cheese, eggs, onion and cumin.

almonds

Image of almonds

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is almonds. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 25% have almonds.

Toasted and blanched are frequent preparations for almonds in mint pesto dishes.

Common quantities for almonds in mint pesto dishes include a quarter cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain almonds, it is on average, 7% by weight.

Olive oil, mint, salt, garlic and zest lemon are commonly used together with almonds in mint pesto dishes.

Potential substitutions for almonds in mint pesto:
  • walnuts
  • pistachios
Also, almonds is not often used with eggs, onion, rosemary, cumin, honey and bread.

walnuts

Image of walnuts

Walnuts is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 20% of mint pesto recipes contain walnuts.

Walnuts is often included in mint pesto dishes in amounts of half a cup.

In mint pesto recipes that contain walnuts, it is on average, 7% by weight.

For mint pesto recipes, walnuts is frequently used with olive oil, mint, parmesan, garlic and salt.

Potential substitutions for walnuts in mint pesto:
  • almonds
  • pistachios
Also, walnuts is not often used with zest lemon, plum tomatoes, eggs, onion, rosemary, cumin, honey and bread.

lamb

Image of lamb

Another popular ingredient in mint pesto is lamb. From the recipes we've sampled for mint pesto, over 20% have lamb.

Variations of lamb include:
  • lamb leg: 5% of recipes
In recipes for mint pesto, lamb is often used with mint, olive oil, garlic, eggs and salt. On the other hand, lamb is almost never used with black pepper, almonds, pistachios, zest lemon, feta cheese, ziti pasta, plum tomatoes, onion, rosemary and honey.

ziti pasta

Image of ziti pasta

Ziti pasta is another common ingredient in mint pesto dishes. In fact, over 15% of mint pesto recipes contain ziti pasta.

Common quantities for ziti pasta in mint pesto dishes include 1 pound.

In mint pesto recipes that contain ziti pasta, it is on average, 41% by weight.

Mint, olive oil, salt, garlic and plum tomatoes are commonly used together with ziti pasta in mint pesto dishes. Conversely, ziti pasta is not often used with lemon juice, pistachios, zest lemon, feta cheese, eggs, onion, rosemary, cumin, honey and bread.

Other mint pesto Ingredients

Other significant ingredients used in mint pesto recipes include:

  • feta cheese - 15%
  • pistachios - 15%
  • plum tomatoes - 10%
  • eggs - 10%
  • onion - 10%
  • rosemary - 10%
  • cumin - 10%
  • honey - 10%
  • bread - 10%


Select Recipes for mint pesto (Ingredients Only)

  • - 1 1/2 cups packed fresh mint leaves, from about 2 large bunches
  • - 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • - 1 lemon, zested, plus juice of 1/2 lemon, about 2 tablespoons
  • - Kosher salt
  • - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
  • - Freshly cracked black pepper
  • - 12 lamb rib chops, Frenched, about 2 pounds
foodnetwork.com
4 hours 45 min
  • - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • - 1/4 cup honey
  • - 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • - 1/2 small onion, minced
  • - 1/4 cup minced mint leaves
  • - 1/4 cup minced parsley leaves
  • - 1 teaspoon minced rosemary leaves
  • - 1 teaspoon minced oregano leaves
  • - 2 pounds boneless lamb leg or shoulder, cleaned and cut into 1 1/2 -inch cubes, makes about 32 pieces
  • - 16 pear or cherry tomatoes
  • - 16 pearl onions, peeled
  • - 1 large green pepper, cored, seeded, cut into 1-inch squares (at least 16 pieces)
  • - 16 small button mushrooms
  • - Salt
  • - Freshly ground black pepper
  • - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • - 1 tablespoon honey
  • - Pinch kosher salt
  • - 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • - 3/4 cup olive oil
  • - …” cup raw pistachios
  • - …” cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • - ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • - 2 cups (packed) mint leaves, plus more small leaves for serving
  • - ½ oz. finely grated Parmesan (about ½ cup)
  • - ½ lemon
  • - 3 tablespoons blanched almonds
  • - 2 cloves garlic
  • - 1/2 cup parsley leaves
  • - 1 cup mint leaves
  • - Zest of 1 lemon
  • - 3/4 cup olive oil
  • - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • - 1 1/2 pounds large scallops
  • - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
seriouseats.com
(1)
15 min
  • - 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • - 2 cups packed fresh mint leaves, rinsed and dried
  • - 3 medium garlic cloves
  • - 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • - 2 large cloves garlic
  • - 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • - 2/3 cup, packed, fresh mint leaves (about 2 small bunches)
  • - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • - Salt
  • - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • - 1/2 pound fresh merguez sausage, casing removed
  • - 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely slivered
  • - 15 Kalamata olives, pitted
  • - 8 ounces dried fettuccine, preferably spinach
  • - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
cooking.nytimes.com
(5)
5 min
  • - 2 garlic cloves, halved, green shoot removed, roughly chopped
  • - Salt to taste
  • - 2 cups, tightly packed, flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
  • - 1 tablespoon, tightly packed, mint leaves, coarsely chopped
  • - 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • - 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
  • - Freshly ground pepper (optional)
cooking.nytimes.com
(4)
15 min
  • - 2 pounds butterfly-shaped (bow-tie) pasta noddles
  • - 2 to 3 cups fresh mint, washed and dried
  • - 2 Cups Parmesian Cheese
  • - 2 cups olive oil
  • - 1 1/2 cups walnuts