What Do Pistachios Taste Like? (With Recipes)

Pistachios are a common pantry staple, with a crunchy texture. But what do pistachios taste like? And how can we use them in our cooking?

Let's talk about pistachio nuts, how they taste and how we can use them for sweet and savory cooking!

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietetic advice in any way.

What are Pistachios?

Pistachios are the edible seed of the Pistacia vera tree (Healthline). They are green and purple on the outside and a dark cream color in the centre.

How Do You Purchase Pistachios?

Pistachios can be purchased in a number of ways. The most common way to buy pistachio nuts is in their shells in small bags in the store. They can be roasted or salted. You can also purchase plain pistachios, and ones that have been shelled. It is more expensive to purchase shelled pistachio nuts.

It's also possible to find pistachios that are coated in chocolate, or have been roasted with herbs or spices.

Pistachio butter and pistachio milk are both tasty options, but check for other ingredients to make sure they are suitable for you. Or perhaps make your own!

What Do Pistachios Taste Like?

Pistachios are savory to taste, with an earthy nutty flavor. They are quite mild in flavor, with a hint of sweetness which makes them idea for both sweet and savory baking and cooking.

What are the Health Benefits of Pistachios?

As well as being a tasty ingredient in your recipes, pistachios are also a very healthy food. In their overview of the health benefits of pistachios, Healthline describes that they are 'high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They also boast several other important nutrients, including vitamin B6 and potassium'.

Pistachios are also one of the lower calorie nuts, but high in protein and essential amino acids (Healthline).

It is important to note that pistachio nuts are high fodmap for those following the diet, as described by Monash University in their overview of high and low fodmap foods.

Pistachios are vegan, gluten free and low histamine per the SIGHI list. You may like to see my low histamine nuts and seeds post for more information.

How Can We Use Pistachios?

Pistachios can be used for both sweet and savory cooking, and to make main meals and fun healthy snacks. Some ideas for pistachio recipes to try:

Making Roasted Pistachios

One simple way to enjoy pistachios is to roast them! Simply toss in a little oil and any herbs or spices you like, then roast in the oven for a tasty snack.

Making Energy Balls

We can use pistachios with other pantry staples to make some tasty pistachio energy balls as a healthy snack for school or work!

Making Pasta Sauce

Often vegan pasta sauces use cashews as a base to add flavor, protein and to thicken. But it's very easy to swap these for pistachios, such as in my pumpkin pasta sauce without cream recipe.

Making Pesto

While traditional pesto uses pine nuts, we can swap these out for pistachios to make a tasty pistachio pesto. It's so good for a pesto pasta dinner idea!

For more ideas, see my post on substitutes for pine nuts to make pesto to make this tasty sauce.

Making Meat or Fish Crusts

Nuts and seeds are a popular choice for making a crust for meat or fish dishes. Perhaps my pistachio crusted cod will tempt you for your next meal!

Topping Salads

A sprinkle of pistachios is a good way to add some crunch, texture and protein to your summer salads!

Making Pistachio Ice Cream

Pistachio ice cream is a popular choice and can often be found in the summer months in cafes and ice cram parlours while on vacation!

Frequently Asked Questions