pine nuts substitute

What can I use to substitute for pine nuts?

• Almonds. Almonds are often used as a pine nut replacement.
• Walnuts. Walnuts may be a good substitute for pine nuts in your cooking, even though they taste a little bitter compared to almonds.
• Pistachios.
• Pecans are a kind of nut.
• Hazelnuts.
• Peanuts.
• Macadamia Nuts are a kind of nut that is native to Australia.
• Cashews.

Can plain almonds be used to substitute pine nuts?

While they are relatively blander, almonds are typically considered as a good alternative for pine nuts due to their similar texture. The texture and rich flavor of almonds work well for deserts. However, make sure to use fresh almonds with the skins removed. Slivering and roasting give almonds a more intense nutty flavor.

Can you substitute pine nuts for pistachios?

Pistachios have a flavor noticeably distinct from that of pine nuts so, in terms of taste, your dish may turn out equally delicious, but with a more obvious flavor of pistachios. Greedy Gourmet suggests substituting one tablespoon of pine nuts with 1 ½ tablespoons of pistachios.

Are pine nuts a snacking nut?

Pine nuts are a nutritious snack that can be eaten raw or roasted. They can be added to salads, sprinkled on top of hummus, and blended up as part of pesto and other sauces. Pine nuts are grown predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America and are also known as pinyon, pignoli, pignolia, pinon, and pignon ( 1 ).

What to Consider When Choosing a Pine Nuts Substitute

The pine nut alternative you choose will depend on what you are using the pine nuts for. Some nut replacements have a different texture and flavor. Large nuts can always be chopped into smaller pieces to accommodate the size difference.

About The Author

As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching.

How do I replace pine nuts in a recipe?

To replace pine nuts in pesto sauce your best options are cashews, almonds, pistachios, or walnuts. While they have subtle differences in flavor, once processed and combined with herbs like basil, no one will complain. Those searching for a nut-free alternative can use edamame beans or sunflower seeds, which are both good choices.

Non-nut Substitutes

If you have a nut allergy then the options we have listed above will not be appropriate for you. Instead, choose from the options below which are all suitable for replacing pine nuts.

Fast facts about pine nuts

They are relatively expensive as they require more time to mature and removing the “nuts” from their protective case is labor-intensive.

Summing up

Pine nuts are a delicious addition to pasta, salads, sweet recipes, and most commonly pesto sauce. If you can't or won't use them in your next recipe then we recommend using cashews, almonds, pistachios, or walnuts as your best options.

1. Cashews

Cashews tend to be the best substitute for pine nuts as they taste similar and they have a comparable texture in different recipes.

2. Almonds

Another alternative to pine nuts is almonds. You might find almonds easier than cashews and they don’t require chopping either as they are roughly the same size as pine nuts.

3. Pistachios

Pistachios are a bit pricier than other pine nut substitutes. However, they will charm you with their taste. Some think pistachios taste even better than pine nuts in many recipes, not to mention that you can always eat them plain as well.

4. Peanuts

Peanuts can replace almost any type of nuts. They are a cheap and available option in almost all supermarkets. You can use them instead of pine nuts and you might even like them better.

5. Walnuts

Walnuts can substitute pine nuts in almost any type of recipe and they are not expensive either. You can use them in pesto, salads, pasta, and several types of cookies. Walnuts will, however, taste best roasted as their peel can be rather sour if you eat them raw.

6. Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are some of the tastiest nuts all over the world and they will make for a great addition to any of your recipes. They might not be easy to find in all supermarkets but if you do get your hands on them, they are worth a try instead of pine nuts.

7. Pecan nuts

Pecan nuts can replace pine nuts, so don’t hesitate to use them if you have them in your kitchen. However, they are more oily than other nuts, including pine nuts.

What Do Pine Nuts Taste Like?

Pine nuts are harvested from pine trees. There are roughly 20 different types of pine trees that can give us pine nuts.

Best 14 Substitutes for Pine Nuts in 2022

If you’re looking for an exciting substitute for pine nuts, there’s a long list of nuts and seeds that can do the trick. However, we’ve handpicked three types of nuts that fit perfectly in most Italian and Mediterranean recipes.

What can you use instead of pine nuts in pesto?

Pine nuts are delicious, but Instead of pine nuts, try using sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds. These types of seeds provide healthy fats and protein for your pesto recipe.

Wrapping Up

Pine nuts are renowned for their buttery flavor with a touch of sweetness. However, they’re not for everyone.

What Are Pine Nuts?

Pine nuts are small, delicate, and edible seeds obtained from pine cones. They have a very high oil content and have a soft and buttery texture. After chewing a few, you may get a slightly resinous, pine-like flavor.

Why Substitute Pine Nuts?

Pine nuts also require substitutes for some reasons, which are listed below:

Final Words

Whether it be pasta, salads, pesto sauce, or sweet goodies, pine nuts are a very awaited addition to all of them. But if you are unable to use it for some reason, substitute for pine nuts are here to readily bid farewell to all your worries.

Cashews

Cashews make the top of the list for pine nut substitutes as they do not taste too dissimilar. In addition, they have a good texture that compares well and is easy to cook with for almost any recipe.

Walnuts

Walnuts make a good sub for pine nuts in lots of recipes. For example, you can substitute walnuts for pine nuts for a walnut pesto that tastes amazing.

Pistachios

Grab some peeled pistachios and substitute them for pine nuts in salad and pasta dishes. These tender nuts are mild and sweet, and you should avoid using them in baked dishes and pestos.

Pecans

Pecans can make a good pine nut alternative in some situations, and they work well in terms of flavor in pestos and sauces. Pecan nuts are oilier than pine nuts and can mix well with other flavors so add in small quantities to pestos and sauces and taste as you go. Where pecans don’t work as well are in salads and garnished atop pasta dishes.

Peanuts

Peanuts are something you can substitute for pine nuts in a few types of dishes. However, since peanuts are more robust in flavor than pine nuts, you might not want to use them in some of the other use cases on this list so far, such as pesto, sauces, or even salads.

Edamame

When it comes to salads and pestos, edamame is a good pine nut substitute. If you’re going for the ready-roasted variety you can pick up in the snack aisles at grocery stores, you should be aware that edamame is best used as a topping instead.

Hazelnuts

The best choice for a simple sub in desserts, hazelnuts are a strongly flavored nut that is best used when blanched since the skin of these nuts is the bitter section. The hazelnut is not ideal for use in salads, pasta, or pestos. So keep it aside as a pine nut alternative for chocolate dessert recipes only!

What to Consider When Choosing a Pine Nuts Substitute

Pine nuts are used in many recipes because of their unique flavor. However, pine nuts are expensive and hard to find. Luckily, there are many other nut substitutes available that are easy to find and cheaper than pine nuts. Here are some of the best options: • Almonds – These nuts are similar to pine nuts in taste and texture.

Best for

If you love to bake, you’ll love these cookies! Made from whole wheat flour, oats, and coconut sugar, these gluten free treats are perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

Best for

This cookie dough is great for making any type of cookie you desire. It’s easy to mix together and store in the fridge until ready to roll. This recipe uses only four ingredients and takes about 15 minutes to make. Best for :

Best for

I love baking cookies because I get to eat them right away! But sometimes I want something different from my usual chocolate chip cookie. This cookie dough is perfect for that! It’s very versatile and can be used for many types of cookies. Best for: Best for:

Why are pine nuts expensive?

Pine nuts are not only expensive but also very perishable. Pine nuts are harvested from the cones of pine trees. These cones are usually found in the wild and are collected manually. This process takes a lot of time and effort. After harvesting, the nuts are dried in order to preserve them. Once the nuts are dry, they are sold in bulk quantities.

Can you be allergic to pine nuts?

Yes, you can be allergic to pine nuts. People who are allergic to pine nuts experience symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness around the mouth, nose, eyes, and throat. In severe cases, people can even develop breathing problems.

Can you eat raw pine nuts?

No, you cannot eat raw pine nuts. Pine nuts are not safe to consume if they are not roasted or cooked properly. Raw pine nuts may contain bacteria that could lead to illness.