This savory pistachio and herb garnish is festive, healthy, and delicious. Serve this savory pistachio recipe over vegetables, chicken, mushroom pasta, or steak.

Top down view of smashed pistachios, dried cranberries, chopped rosemary in a white bowl with a spoon. Rosemary sprig and lemon half on the side.

I love the combination of savory pistachios, fresh lemon juice, and fresh herbs.

Pistachio recipes are generally abundant in the sweets and desserts categories, but where pistachios really shine are in pestos and garnishes for savory dishes.

This pistachio and herb garnish recipe tastes best if it has had time to marinate at least 30 minutes. I think it tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients on a wood cutting board: scale with ¼ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup shelled pistachios, 1 whole leon, salt and pepper shaker, olive oil, and chef's knife. — *Ingredients are versatile. Try different herbs like sage or parsley or different nuts like pecans or almonds.*

What to Serve with Savory Pistachios and Herbs

Savory pistachio and herb garnish will go with nearly anything. Try this pistachio recipe on:

Simple pastas like orzo or angel hair or mushroom pasta
as a garnish for soups like bean soup
over vegetables like roasted cauliflower
as a garnish for roast chicken, simple fish dishes, or steak

Side view of smashed pistachios, dried cranberries, chopped rosemary in a white bowl with a spoon. Lemon half and microplane zester on the side.

Variations on Pistachio and Herb Garnish

This savory pistachio garnish uses fresh rosemary, but I've also used parsley and sage before and it's all GOOD y'all.

Some substitution ideas:

Instead of pistachios try: almonds, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts
Instead of rosemary try: sage, parsley, cilantro, basil
Instead of lemon juice try: orange juice (seriously good), lime juice (awesome with cilantro), or a touch of white wine vinegar (balsamic has too much color in my opinion).
Instead of cranberries try: just leaving them out, or try raisins, or any other dried fruit like apricots, mangos, or dates.

Things In My Kitchen:

Microplane Zester - Finely zests citrus fast and easy.
Teak Cutting Board - Sustainably harvested, easy on knives, got the juice grooves, and pretty.

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Top down view of smashed pistachios, dried cranberries, chopped rosemary in a white bowl with a spoon. Rosemary sprig and lemon half on the side. Close up.

Savory Pistachio and Herb Garnish

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This savory pistachio and herb garnish is festive, healthy, and delicious. Serve this savory pistachio recipe over vegetables, chicken, mushroom pasta, or steak.

Author: Beckie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4
Category: Garnish
Method: No Cooking Involved!
Cuisine: International
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

½ cup roasted and salted pistachios, shelled
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 lemon, zested
½ lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
3 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
pinch, black pepper

Instructions

Place shelled pistachios in a ziploc bag and leave a small corner open so that air can escape. Get a big spoon and smash the pistachios in the bag until all have been hit.
Place smashed pistachios in a bag and stir in all the other ingredients. Remember to zest the lemon before juicing!
Add more lemon juice and salt to taste. Happy eating! Beckie

Notes

This pistachio and herb garnish recipe tastes best if it has had time to marinate at least 30 minutes. I think it tastes even better the next day.
Don't have pistachios? Try almonds, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, or brazil nuts.
Don't have fresh rosemary? Try fresh parsley, sage, basil, or cilantro.
Don't have fresh lemon juice? Try orange juice or a splash of vinegar.

Savory Pistachio and Herb Garnish