33 Tasty Pecan Recipes

When you think of pecan-based recipes, you probably think of salads or pies. But there’s much more. 

Cookies, salads, spaghetti, dips, brownies, mushrooms, and bread are just some of the many dishes you can make with pecans. 

Because pecans have a flavor that is muted and slightly sweet, and a buttery texture, makes them an excellent addition to a broad variety of dishes.

Keep reading to get some inspiration for Pecan recipes, and find your next favorite way to use this food! 

1. Turtle Cookies

You may not think of pecans as a dessert food, but this recipe will change your mind!

These cookies have a dense and chocolaty flavor, a soft and chewy texture, and are packed with chunks of caramel, nuts, and chocolate chips. 

To make these cookies look and taste their best, you should put some of the fillings to the side and add this to the dough just before the biscuits go into the oven.

2. Pecan Crusted Salmon with Lemon Glaze

If you love fish, you have probably eaten salmon coved with breadcrumbs. While this is nice after a while plain breadcrumbs can get pretty boring. 

In this recipe, a pecan crust is used instead of breadcrumbs, giving you a whole new taste sensation!

As the meal cooks, the nuts will release oils into the dish, which will add an additional layer of flavor.

3. Apple Cranberry Pecan Salad

If you are a salad person, then you probably know how important toppings are. Without interesting toppings, salads might be rather tasteless, which is why texture is needed so badly.

This salad is not shy about its flavor. It has everything that you will love, from chewy cranberries and crunchy nuts to a spicy dressing that will make you want to eat it for every meal. 

4. Pecan Tassies

Pecan tassies are a childhood favorite snack or dessert, especially around the holiday season. 

If you have never made your own pecan tassies, then this is your chance!

These are created using a very straightforward cream cheese dough that is stuffed with a condensed version of pecan pie filling.

If you want it to be a little sweeter, you may alternatively use pie crust or sugar cookie dough instead.

5. Small Batch Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Not only does this recipe give you the perfect amount of ice cream, but it also has an incredible flavor. Best of all, you won’t even need an ice cream maker to make it!

Ice cream that is made without a machine is just as tasty, if not more so than ice cream made with a real ice cream machine. 

The secret is to use whipped cream for airiness and sweetened condensed milk for a rich, velvety mouthfeel.

Be sure to cut your nuts to a size that is quite small, and don’t be afraid to add a splash of rum to the skillet while they are cooking. This will give the pecans a nice flavor.

6. Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms

This dish is sure to be a huge hit every time you make it for friends or family.

There’s something about the earthiness of the mushrooms and the tenderness of the pecans that hits all the right notes.

If you want your mushrooms to look picture-perfect, consider cutting a slice off the bottom so that you can fill the upside-down “dome” part of the mushroom. 

Because of this, they will be able to sit exactly flat, and you won’t have to worry about any of the filling spilling out when you move the tray.

7. Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Although it’s not exactly a new idea to combine maple syrup and nuts with sweet potatoes, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be appreciated!

Try covering the dish with aluminum foil for the first half of the baking process to avoid the sugar and butter from becoming burnt.

During the second half, the sugar will caramelize, and the potatoes will achieve the perfect level of crispiness.

8. Cinnamon Pecan Waffles

While this recipe does need a waffle iron to make, once you read how good these waffles will taste, you may be tempted to splurge on one (see also ‘26 Recipes for Mini Waffle Irons‘)!

These pecan waffles are fluffy, sugary, toasty, and packed with buttery pecans throughout.

Once you have a waffle iron, the number of great waffle recipes you can make is virtually endless, but you should put this one at the very top of your list! 

9. Kale Pecan Pesto

This recipe may seem a bit odd, but once you give it a try you will find that this strange recipe becomes your new favorite.

Not only is this vivid pesto stuffed with kale, which we are all aware is something we should be eating more of, but it is also loaded with sweet pecans, which provide the ideal balance to the harshness of the greens.

10. Pecan Butter

If you love nutty spreads like almond butter or peanut butter, then this is the recipe for you!

The wonderful thing about pecans is that nuts have a buttery flavor on their own, which means you won’t need to add any more oil to the mixture.

Toasting is an important step that should not be skipped since it helps to improve the flavor of the nut and release the natural oils that are contained in the nut.

11. Southern Pecan Pie Muffins

This one is for you if you’re looking for something a little bit unusual to have for your snack in the middle of the morning.

These muffins are airy, filled with moisture, and have a flavor that is almost identical to that of a slice of pecan pie.

If you want to add even more flavor, then you could add a drizzle of caramel and the touch of browned butter frosting on top.

While icing is not usually added to muffins, this touch of sweetness is what makes this snack even better. 

12. Apple Pecan Stuffing

The holiday season can be a difficult time for vegetarians, especially since a lot of the traditional meals seem to revolve around meat. 

If you struggle to find veggie meals during this season, then we have the perfect recipe for you!

This dish has a lot going for it, from the bread flavored with herbs to the flavorful vegetables and the crisp nuts.

While this recipe uses vegetable stock, chicken stock would bring out the flavor and make it stand out even more.

13. Sweet Potato Pecan Bread

Sweet potato bread is a cake-like dish that is perfect to have at breakfast time with a cup of sweet tea. 

Some people substitute the sweet potato for pumpkins instead, but have you ever thought about using pecans instead? 

Because this fast bread isn’t excessively sweet, you may enjoy it equally well on the side of your dinner plate or topped with a coating of peanut butter.

14. Angel Hair with Lemon, Kale, and Pecans

This recipe blends bitter kale with sweet walnuts to make something that is both well-balanced and delicious.

In addition to that, it has lemon for a tangy finish as well as chili flakes for a little bit of fire.

Because the pasta is so thin, a thick sauce doesn’t need to be added to it. Instead, this thin coating with a garlicky flavor is the perfect quantity.

15. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Toasted Pecans, and Dried Cranberries

These Brussels sprouts are so outrageously delicious that no one can say no to them we promise!

These are sure to be the talk of the dinner because of the beautifully salted bacon, the crispy sprouts, and the salted nuts.

One thing to keep in mind is to cook the Brussels sprouts in the fat rendered from frying the bacon. That amazing taste will be distributed evenly throughout each bite that way.

16. Candied Pecans

These small snacks will become addicting once you try a few. The buttery and sugary flavor is heightened by the addition of the chewy caramel coating and the flakes of sea salt that are sprinkled on top.

While caramelizing nuts may seem like it would take a lot of effort, which may put you off from making this dish, you don’t need to worry. The oven is put to work doing all of the heavy lifting for this dish.

17. Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

When Thanksgiving rolls around, there had better be room for one more piece of pecan pie on the table. 

There is just nothing that can top the combination of the chewy syrup filling and the supple, crunchy nuts in these sticky buns.

When cooking, you can always include a splash of bourbon as well as a few chocolate chips for added flavor.

And if you’re in the mood for something a little bit more decadent, you can finish it off with some crumbled bacon.

18. Pecan Squares

Just the smell of this dish will make your mouth water, and it will be a struggle to wait for it to cool down before you eat it all up. 

When combined with the flaky shortbread, the crunchy caramelized pecans make for the ideal pairing, and all that is needed to cook this dish is a little warming over the stove.

It is best to wait until things have cooled off before diving in. Pecans that have been caramelized while still hot don’t taste great, and you may even end up burning your mouth.

19. Butter Pecan Chicken

Chicken is exceptionally adaptable meat. It may be prepared by boiling, frying, roasting, or baking, and it pairs nicely with a wide variety of foods, from strawberries to squash (see also “28 Quick And Easy Hubbard Squash Recipes You Have To Try“).

Before you add the nuts, chicken broth, butter, brown sugar, parsley, honey, and thyme, to the pan, you will need to cook the chicken for this dish until it is golden brown and juicy.

After that, you will add the remaining ingredients.

After allowing the sauce to simmer in the skillet, return the chicken to it so that it may get a beautiful coating of the flavors. 

20. French Quarter Pecan Cheese Spread

This dip will be a smash hit at your next dinner party or gathering. 

People won’t be able to resist this sweet-salty-spiced pecan topping that blankets cream cheese infused with garlic and onion. 

Beating the cream cheese and arranging it in layers on a plate produces spectacular results. This way, you will be able to sprinkle the pecans on top, and it will be much simpler to scoop.

21. Pecan Pie Overnight Oats

If you are trying to eat healthier, then you have probably eaten a lot of oats. There is only so much that you can do with overnight oats to make them exciting to eat, but we have the perfect recipe to change that!

The dish is delicious both warm and chilled. This means that you can remove the oats from the refrigerator and coat them in the warm pecan mixture before returning them to the refrigerator.

The contrast is just mouthwatering and really brings some life to this unusual boring dish.

22. Turtle Brownies

We’ve had turtle cookies, now let’s try turtle brownies|!

Tbrownies are the perfect dessert because they include all of the elements that you want and love in a sweet treat.

They have a dense and chocolaty flavor, a soft and chewy texture, and are packed with chunks of caramel, nuts, and chocolate chips. 

Because the batter itself contains nuts, this guarantees that you will get some of them in every bite. The covering of caramel, though, is the best part of this treat.

You can either bake these as a slab or in individual ramekins to make small desserts for everyone. 

23. Foolproof Cinnamon Raisin Pecan Artisan Bread

The word “artisan” implies that this dish will be hard to make, so you may be tempted to skip it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! After all, this bread requires no kneading, so it is pretty simple and quick to make. 

For this dish, you’ll need a Dutch oven, but don’t worry, this is not an expensive gadget, and once you have one you will find loads of uses for it.  

The good news is that you can pick one up for around $20-$30 in most stores or online. 

With the bread, you are going to prepare the dough the night before. Mix the ingredients well until a rough ball forms, and then step back and let it sit in a covered bowl overnight.

The next day, it requires a short rest before being placed directly into a hot Dutch oven. After baking, it will look and taste like you spent a lot of time kneading and shaping it!

24. Best Southern Pralines Pecan Recipe

Each fresh batch of pralines will have its own unique flavor.

Some people like it chewy, while others choose a crunchier texture, but everyone believes that its full potential is seen when there is an abundance of butter and pecans.

Because pralines are a type of candy that requires a specific temperature to come out exactly right, you will need a candy thermometer to make this recipe.

25. Green Beans with Caramelized Pecans

If you’re the type of person who only eats green beans when they are doused in some kind of garlic butter, then you should try them in this sauce that has brown butter as the main ingredient. 

Because of their mild flavor, a hint of sweetness, and ability to easily incorporate with sugar and butter, shallots are the greatest choice for this recipe.

You should make a little bit more than you need to ensure that you have plenty to drizzle over your protein as well.

26. Maple Pecan Granola

Why should you bother to buy granola when it is so simple to prepare at home?

The wonderful thing about granola is that it can be altered to suit your preferences easily. You don’t like coconut? Then you might want to try adding chopped peanuts.

Like it fruity? Enjoy yourself to the fullest with those dried fruits.

Before it can be put away for later use, it must first be well combined and then baked. This is the most important step as this is how you will obtain those wonderful tiny clusters at the end.

27. Chocolate Fudge Pecan Pie Tart

Since it is a tart and not a slice of pie, it is considerably smaller than a slice of pie, so you can have a bigger slice guilt-free!

This recipe calls for high-quality dark chocolate that has a touch of bitterness in it so that it may counteract the sweetness of the filling.

Having said that, you can indulge your sweet craving by using milk chocolate instead. 

28. Pecan Praline Popcorn

This small snack makes for an ideal and low-cost present that you can give to your friends and family for the holidays. Put it in a lovely little bag, tied with a ribbon, and you’re all set. 

If you want to keep it all to yourself though, then you should make loads, because this popcorn may be the best that you have ever tasted! 

29. Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is many people’s go-to lunch option because it is quick to make and very versatile. It may be made spicy, salty, or even sweet, and it is light, creamy, and satisfying all at the same time.

The buttery nuts, in addition to contributing an exquisite texture and flavor to the mixture, are the perfect complement to the tart apples that are called for in this recipe.

30. Pecan Sandies

Everyone has tried pecan Sandies at one time or another, and if you are one of the few that have never tried this dish, then now’s your chance!

These cookies are delicately spiced and have a luxurious texture. This cookie dough would be excellent in its own right, even if it lacked the pecans.

Dipping these cookies into melted chocolate is the perfect final touch to them. 

31. Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

These indulgent caramel pecan pie cheesecake bars, which have a cheesecake filling, cracker crust, and pecan topping, are the ideal dessert to serve at Thanksgiving dinner this year, or for when you are craving something sweet after dinner. 

32. Slice and Bake Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Pecan shortbread biscuits are buttery, sweet, and nutty, and they are stuffed to the brim with pecans that have been finely chopped. 

These cookies may be easily sliced and baked and take very little effort overall to make.

These cookies are soft and chewy, and they break apart easily when you bite into them.

33. Chopped Pecan Pie

This holiday season, twist classic pecan pie by using chopped pecans, which create a smooth topping on this pecan pie that has a silky custard filling. 

This pie will be perfect as a dessert after the big meal if anyone has room for it that is! 

Not only is this pie super easy to make, but it is a taste sensation, and might be your next favorite dessert. 

Summary

This recipe list shows you all of the different and exciting ways that you can use pecans rather than just adding them to pies. 

Try any of the recipes above the next time you have a pecan craving, or when you want to experiment and want to try making a new dish.