Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (2024)

Prepared in 10 minutes or less, this French Pistou sauce recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Including different ways to serve, drink accompaniments, and more.

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This Recipe includes

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (1)Basil leaves
Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (2)Olive oil
Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (3)Garlic
Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (4)(Optional) Parmesan
Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (5)Salt and pepper

Why we love it

Not everyone is familiar with the French pistou. Similar to the Italian pesto, but not identical, it is a delicious crushed basil sauce that originated from the region of Provence in the south of France.

If you are looking for something to add a bit of punch to your meal, something not too ambitious, then this French pistou recipe is for you. It doesn’t take too long to make, and it’s absolutely delicious!

Pistou is a very typical French sauce and provençale concoction in that it is basically a mixture of fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. Using fresh ingredients and lots of herbs, these are the mainstay principles of French cooking.

Now, you don’t have to grow your own basil and garlic in your garden, like those French traditionalists do (who has the time these days!), but if you do want to avoid artificial ingredients, this homemade pistou recipe is a great alternative to store-bought pesto.

A staple in the south of France, it is often served with fish and vegetables. You don’t just have to stick to pasta, you know. (If you want, here is a scallop and spinach with pesto pasta recipe.) But it can be used on eggs, meat or poultry dishes, or just with a piece of bread.

In theProvençal dialectofOccitanie, the word pistoucame from the word pistare meaning “crushed” or “pounded”. (Occitan historically used to be the language of the region, before French King François I banned all provincial languages in the 16th century. )

Pistou is traditionally made by pounding the ingredients for the sauce in a mortar and pestle, but if you don’t tell anyone that you used a food processor, I won’t either.

Either way, this pistou sauce recipe is so simple and easy to make, you can make a batch ready to serve within 10 minutes.

Difference between Pistou and Pesto

While pesto and pistou sound similar, they are not the same, although it is clear there is a heavy Mediterranean influence in both. The French pistou comes from Provence in the south of France, while the pesto has its origins at the end of the 19th century, in the city of Genoa.

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (6)

The Italian pesto is made with basil, olive oil, garlic, cheese (parmesan or pecorino) and pine nuts. It sometimes also contains parsley and marjoram. The official version from Genoa that you can buy in a supermarket, is a protected trademark AOP since 2005.

The French pistou sauce is made from basil, olive oil and garlic. There are no pine nuts or parsley, and cheese is not required. Sometimes however, in the city of Nice, a gruyere cheese is added.

Along with pistou, other sauces from this area are tomato provençale sauce, sauce vierge, aioli, and the rouille.

How to use Pistou sauce?

Pistou can serve as a sauce for dishes like pastas, baked chicken, or with a side of steak. It can be a bit strong for fish dishes as it can overwhelm them, so use in moderation.

It is excellent as an accompaniment to baked salmon or tuna. You can also eat it directly as a topping on a hard bread like baguette for anapéro, or onbaked camembertfor anappetizer.

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (7)

What drinks to serve with it?

Pistou sauces obviously have a strong taste of herbs, so a light dry white wine, for example from theLoire wine region, would be ideal. These wines have light floral and wood taste, making them a wonderful counterbalance to the pistou.

A dry whitewine from Alsace, like apinot griswould also be very good. You can read more about French wines here.

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (8)

How to store it?

Yes, pistou sauce can easily be kept in a refrigerator or in the freezer. Use virgin olive oil if you intend to freeze it, and do not add any cheese.

Store the pistou sauce in an airtight glass jar, and put it in the freezer immediately after preparing. In order to defrost, place in the fridge for about a day to let it defrost naturally.

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (9)

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (10)

Recipe: Pistou Sauce

Nassie Angadi

An pistou (pesto) sauce made with basil, garlic, and olive oil from Provence.

4.78 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side dishes

Cuisine French

Servings 4

Calories 293 kcal

Equipment

  • Asclepius Marble Mortar and Pestle Set

  • Christopher Kimball’s Power Whisk

  • Individual Dipping sauce bowls (2 oz.)

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves of crushed garlic
  • 9 cl of olive oil (1/3 cup)
  • 2 bouquets of basil leaves torn into pieces (2 cups)
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 soupspoon of shredded parmesan (optional)

Instructions

  • Wash the basil and peel the garlic.

  • Crush the basil and garlic in a mortar with a pestle until it turns into a purée. (Alternatively, put it into a blender.) `

  • In a bowl, mix the crushed basil, garlic, and olive oil until you make a smooth sauce.

  • Add in the salt, pepper, and (optional) parmesan cheese, as you mix and whisk.

  • Set aside once the pistou sauce is smooth and serve when ready.

Notes

Adjust the olive oil quantity for a thicker sauce, based on personal preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 260mgFiber: 1g

Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates are approximate. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health. This website is written and produced for entertainment purposes only.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (11)

If you enjoyed that, check out our other classic French recipes that are easy to prepare. Bon appétit and à bientôt !

Home-made Pistou sauce recipe from Provence (2024)

FAQs

What does pistou in French mean? ›

The Dictionnaire de l'Académie française dates "pistou" from the 20th century, and defines it as a Provençal word denoting a condiment made from fresh basil, crushed with garlic and olive oil; the term derives from pistar (to grind) itself derived from the Latin pinsare (to pound, to grind).

What are the ingredients for pesto sauce? ›

Traditional pesto is a blend of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. With a food processor, it comes together in just a few steps: Pulse the nuts, lemon juice, and garlic in the food processor until they're finely chopped.

What does pistou taste like? ›

Pistou shares many similarities to pesto, although it omits the creamy pine nuts, contains a little less basil, and ramps up the garlic for a robust garlicky kick.

How to make pesto sauce better? ›

Add a pinch of salt if the basil tastes too bitter or the pesto needs more zing. Add more Parmesan if you'd like a creamier/cheesier pesto. If desired, you can thin out the pesto with more olive oil.

Why do the French say je t aime? ›

Je t'aime

This is the most common way to express your love for someone in French. It's also a simple way to show your affection.

How do you pronounce pistou? ›

  1. Phonetic spelling of Pistou. pis-tou. pee-stoo.
  2. Meanings for Pistou. a type of sauce that is similar to Pesto.
  3. Examples of in a sentence. Light Vegetable Soup with Pistachio Pistou. Pumpkin and Shellfish Bisque with Pumpkin Seed Pistou. Vegetable Soup with Pistou. ...
  4. Translations of Pistou. Russian : Овощное рагу

What makes pesto taste so good? ›

What does pesto taste like? Traditional pesto is a thick, green sauce that tastes bright and herby from the basil, and salty and rich from the cheeses and pine nuts. It should be garlicky, with pleasant grassiness from good quality olive oil.

How long does homemade pesto last? ›

FAQ: How Long Does Homemade Pesto Last? You can store this basil pesto in a jar or sealable container, then tightly seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Why is my pesto bitter? ›

The most common reason for pesto tasting bitter is that the olive oil is past its best and has started to turn rancid. If the pesto has been made in a food processor or blender, there's also the possibility that it has turned bitter from the crude, sheering action of the blades.

Are pesto and pistou the same? ›

Pistou is an uncooked sauce that comes from France's Provence region and typically contains basil, garlic and olive oil. Modern versions often add cheese, generally a hard cheese like Parmesan, and less commonly add diced tomato. Unlike its Italian cousin pesto, pistou does not include pine nuts or other nuts.

What does au pistou contain? ›

Soupe Au Pistou is a traditional Southern French soup usually made with summer fresh veggies like zucchini, tomatoes and green beans that are simmered with slowly simmered white beans and potatoes and usually pasta. The Pistou is a herb paste made from basil, garlic and olive oil (and cheese of some sort.)

Why is pesto so expensive? ›

Its scarcity, plus the fact that the plants are picked roots, soil, and all to ensure that only juvenile leaves make it into pesto, makes it extraordinarily expensive and something that only premium, artisan pesto makers can justify using.

Will lemon juice keep pesto green? ›

How to Use Lemon Juice to Keep Pesto Green. Another way to prevent basil oxidation? Lower its pH with lemon juice. Browning happens most readily at neutral pH, so making the pesto's pH more acidic can help slow down this process.

Why is my homemade pesto turning brown? ›

Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are made up of many different molecules, including enzymes, which are responsible for speeding up the rate of chemical reactions. This includes enzymatic browning, a term used to describe what happens when phenolic compounds encounter oxygen.

Is it worth making your own pesto? ›

Everyone agreedthat the store-bought version was cheesier and nuttier; the homemadeversion had a stronger garlicky kick and basil brightness. Notably, by the end of dinner, only the pasta with homemade pesto had run out.

What is the meaning of pistu? ›

pis·​tou. pēsˈtü plural -s. : a vegetable soup served with a puree of garlic, herbs, oil, and cheese and often tomatoes.

What is the French word for jeans? ›

1. jean (pantalon): jean.

What is the French word for moist? ›

humide (FEM humide) (skin, soil)

How do you say gender fluid in French? ›

adjective. [person] à l'identité de genre fluide.

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