Spicy Chilito Pesto

When you think of pesto, you probably picture the traditional green sauce from Genoa — basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parm. It’s fresh, nutty, and herbaceous. But what happens when you give it a Chilito kick?

Spicy Chilito Pesto, the sauce that’s both spicy and fresh. It’s the perfect balance of heat and herb, ready to transform pasta, sandwiches, or roasted veggies into something craveable.

And like all things Chilito, this one’s made with heart. Every bottle, every drizzle, every bite supports dog rescue organizations like The Sato Project and Border Tails Rescue. So when you’re tossing this pesto on your pasta, you’re also helping save dogs in need. 🐾❤️

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• ½ cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts)
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more as needed)
• 1–2 tablespoons Chilito Hot Sauce (adjust to taste)
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Toast your nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden and fragrant (about 3–4 minutes). Let them cool.
2. Blend it up: In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, toasted nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until finely chopped.
3. Add the fire: Pour in your Chilito Hot Sauce and blend again.
4. Stream in olive oil: With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with a little extra oil or a splash of water.
5. Taste + tweak: Add more Chilito for extra spice or lemon juice for brightness.

Pro Tip:

Store your pesto in a jar topped with a thin layer of olive oil to keep it fresh and vibrant for up to a week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for quick flavor bombs later.

🐶 Feel-Good Flavor

Every spoonful of this pesto helps support rescue dogs through our partners The Sato Project and Border Tails Rescue. So while your taste buds are celebrating, your heart can too.

💚 Try It With:

• Spicy Pesto Pasta: Toss with spaghetti and cherry tomatoes.

• Chilito Pesto Grilled Cheese: Layer mozzarella, tomato, and pesto on sourdough.

• Breakfast Boost: Drizzle over avocado toast or scrambled eggs.