Pistachio Butter

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/14/21
Pistachio Butter

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 1 cup
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
262 Calories
21g Fat
13g Carbs
10g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 262
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 330mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 49mg 4%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 465mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

You don't have to spend a small fortune on fancy nut butter at the grocery store—it's easy to make your own at home with just two ingredients. This effortless recipe for pistachio butter can be prepared using the convenience of shelled pistachios or, if you are willing to put in a little extra effort, unshelled pistachios. Of course, it is much easier (and softer on your fingers) to make pistachio butter with pistachio nuts that have already been removed from their shells.

For added ease, use pistachios that have already been roasted. That way, all you have to do is puree the nuts until they form a luxurious and creamy pistachio butter. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and you have an upscale ingredient ready to use in your favorite recipes or as a delicious snack.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pistachios, shelled, roasted, and unsalted

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or canola oil

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. If your pistachios are not shelled, shell them before beginning.

    Pistachio butter ingredients, showing shelled and unshelled nuts

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  2. Place the shelled pistachios and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Close the lid and process.

    Pistachios in a food processor

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  3. In the first minute or so, the pistachios will begin to grind into a fine powder.

    Pistachios ground in a food processor

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  4. As the food processor continues to run, the powder will begin to thicken slightly. For a few minutes, the ground nuts will remain powdery, but don't be concerned. As the mixture continues to process, the fats in the pistachio nuts will release.

    Pistachios beginning to turn into a paste in the food processor

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  5. Eventually, the powdery consistency will transform into the thick "buttery" consistency we associate with nut butter. If you prefer a slightly thinner nut butter, you can drizzle in a very small amount of neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil or canola oil into the food processor as it runs.

    Pistachio butter in the food processor

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  6. Once the pistachio butter has achieved the desired consistency, spoon into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.

    Pistachio butter in a jar

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  7. Enjoy.

    Pistachio butter on toast

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

How to Use Pistachio Butter

Pistachio butter can be used in a variety of ways:

  • Make an upscale PB&J with pistachio butter and apricot jam.
  • Spread on crackers, apples, or bananas for a snack.
  • Add a spoonful to your smoothie for nutty flavor and a little protein.
  • Add to a sundae or milkshake or dollop on a cake.
  • Spread on toast or add to your morning oatmeal.

How to Store

Store pistachio butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month or freeze it for up to three months.

Recipe Variations

  • We used roasted, shelled pistachios for this recipe for convenience.
  • If you are using salted nuts, reduce or eliminate the salt in the recipe.
  • Raw pistachios can also be used for making pistachio butter. Shell the pistachios, place in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast in a 325 F oven for about 10 minutes or until the nuts are fragrant and toasted.
  • If you prefer a more vibrant shade of green to the final product, the dark paperlike pistachio skins can be removed after roasting. While still warm, rub the roasted pistachios vigorously in a cloth or towel. This will help separate the skins from the pistachio nuts.
  • You can make this pistachio butter as smooth or as chunky as you like.
  • For a bit of sweetness, add honey to taste.