sauces 5 min fix
Pesto Too Thick
Your pesto is pasty because there is not enough oil or liquid. Loosen it with oil and pasta water.
paste-like texture · hard to toss · vegetarian
The fix
Tap a step to check it off.
- 1 whisk in 1 tablespoon olive oil to loosen
- 2 add 1 to 2 tablespoons warm pasta water for emulsification
- 3 finish with a squeeze of lemon and salt
If it's still wrong
- Use as a spread on sandwiches.
- Dilute with yogurt for a creamy sauce.
Prevent next time
- Add oil in a steady stream while blending.
- Reserve a splash of pasta water to adjust texture.
Notes
Why this works
Oil and starchy water turn pesto into a smooth emulsion. That makes it spreadable and easier to toss without clumping.