Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Shari Mason
As an ice cream enthusiast, I’ve tried many flavors over the years, but pistachio ice cream has always held a special place in my heart. The combination of the nutty flavor with creamy sweetness is simply irresistible.
However, not all pistachio ice creams are created equal. Through my personal exploration and taste testing, I’ve discovered some exceptional options that stand out.
In this article, I’ll share our team’s favorites for the best pistachio ice cream. Keep reading.
Top 15 Pistachio Ice Creams (Tried & Tasted)
1. Haagen-Dazs – Pistachio Ice Cream
Average Price: around $3-4 (14 fl oz)
Why We Love It: Häagen-Dazs offers one of the best pistachio-flavored ice creams in the United States, full of flavor and with roasted California pistachio nuts.
The ice cream has fresh, creamy, and sugary notes, and then you will end every bite with soft pistachio bits. I usually get mine in my favorite local grocery store, which is widely available in Walmart and other grocery stores.
Read: How Much Salt Is In Ice Cream?
2. Ample Hills Creamery – Sicilian Pistachio
Average Price: around $6-12 (14 fl oz)
Why We Love It: The pistachio-flavored ice cream of Ample Hills Creamery stood out the most among their ice cream products. Pieces of pistachio brittle are incorporated into this refreshing treat, making it my new favorite flavor.
Ample Hill closed most of its stores recently, but we still believed this one was one of the best pistachio ice creams we have ever tried.
3. Baskin-Robbins – Pistachio Almond Ice Cream
Average Price: around $3-4 (14 fl oz)
Why We Love It: This one has been our go-to ice cream shop while waiting for the cinema and during grocery trips.
Some branches offer pistachio-flavored ice cream loaded with roasted almonds. But it is not available in some places, unlike their “mandatory” flavors.
4. Talenti – Pistachio Gelato
Average Price: around $4-7 (16 fl oz)
Why We Love It: The salted pistachios of this ice cream are soft, unlike some of the ice cream brands we’ve tried. This ice cream is perfect for those craving a nutty taste but not too sweet dessert.
Instead of making homemade ice cream using an ice cream maker and pistachio pieces, getting completely chilled Talenti Pistachio Gelato would be an excellent idea.
The flavor profile of the gelato won me over, especially the pistachios, almond, and vanilla extract.
5. Ben & Jerry’s – Pistachio Pistachio Ice Cream
Average Price: around $4-6 (16 fl oz)
Why We Love It: Aside from being a pistachio-flavored ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s also features whole pistachios in the mix of this ice cream.
Instead of using whole milk, they opt for gluten-free ones and use natural flavors, but it has recently become hard to find in most stores.
When I first bought my ice cream maker, the Ben & Jerry’s – Pistachio Pistachio Ice Cream copycat I saw online was one of the first homemade pistachio ice creams I tried.
The homemade Pistachio ice cream recipe was good, but I prefer the store-bought pistachio flavor.
6. Blue Bell – Pistachio Almond Ice Cream
Average Price: around $3-6 (16 oz)
Why We Love It: Blue Bell offers another sophisticated pistachio-based ice cream loaded with roasted chopped almonds, making it a multi-nutty flavored ice cream.
It may be a rare flavor for some, but it’s good if you have no allergies because it contains nuts, milk, and egg mixture.
7. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams – Pistachio & Almond Biscotti Ice Cream
Average Price: around $12 (16 oz)
Why We Love It: The Pistachio and Almond Biscotti Ice Cream is the new addition to the seasonal menu of McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream.
It comprises twice-baked biscotti crumbles, milk, and sweet cream infused with pistachio butter. If you are to replicate the recipe and make homemade pistachio ice cream, use a fine mesh sieve to make it smooth.
8. Trader Joe’s – Pistachio Gelato
Average Price: around $3-5 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: As a gelato, the texture of this pistachio-flavored dessert is denser and thicker than the usual ice cream.
The pistachio flavor bursts with the nutty and sweet notes of pistachios. The gelato is creamy and sweet, with excellent texture.
Also, many pistachio pieces are scattered in this Trader Joe’s frozen dessert.
9. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Pistachio & Honey
Average Price: around $8-12 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has a gluten-free pistachio and honey flavor, made with roasted pistachios, natural flavors, cream, sea salt, honey, and non-fat milk.
“But not every state followed the trend: Buyers in Hawaii stuck with tropical flavors, picking mango ice cream above most else, while those in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut all chose pistachio.”
– Alison Fox, Travel Writer
Aside from the pistachios and honey, the vanilla extract and roasted almonds are also noticeable in every bite.
10. Three Twins Ice Cream – Sea Salted Caramel & Pistachio
Average Price: around $5-6 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: Three Twins Ice Cream used to change flavors depending on the seasons, making every walk into their stores more exciting.
The company used to serve organic pistachio-flavored ice cream with fresh cones made right in their stores before they ceased operation in 2020.
When I crave it, I have my food processor and ice cream maker with me, and I make homemade pistachio ice cream using the Three Twins copycat recipe.
11. Graeter’s – Pistachio Ice Cream
Average Price: around $5-7 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: Graeter’s has a creamy, sweet vanilla cream and a strong pistachio taste that appeals to many pistachio lovers.
However, it is only available for about two weeks a year or until supplies last. It is a rare flavor you can buy online or at your local scoop shop. But how can you tell when ice cream is done churning?
12. Tillamook – Creamy California Pistachio Ice Cream
Average Price: around $3-5 (15.05 oz)
Why We Love It: Like other ice cream brands, we love this pistachio ice cream’s thick but soft consistency.
Although promising, you can still serve pistachio ice cream with chocolate sauce or shortbread cookies if you want that sugar rush. If you want to balance out the taste, you can also add some sea salt on top.
13. Salt & Straw – Pistachio with Saffron and Rose Water
Average Price: around $11-13 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: One of the seasonal offers of Salt & Straw is the pistachio with saffron and rose water ice cream.
The nutty taste of pistachio is there, along with the bold floral flavors of the rose water – a tribute to the traditional Middle Eastern flavor combination.
It has many pistachios but is not vegan and gluten-free because it contains milk, egg yolks, and sugar, so watch out. But what do you call someone who makes ice cream?
14. Arctic Zero – Pistachio Ice Cream
Average Price: around $6-8 (1 pint)
Why We Love It: It is a low-calorie pint with a creamy texture and rich flavor made using plant-based ingredients.
“Best pistachio ice cream is a delicious journey to Sicily, where creamy texture meets nutty flavor, leaving a lingering bliss.”
-Eat Pallet Food & Restaurant Advice
You can add drops of almond extract and more shelled pistachios for a more enhanced flavor.
15. Turkey Hill – Pistachio Almond Ice Cream
Average Price: around $3-5 (48 oz)
Why We Love It: Turkey Hill makes the best and most tasty ice cream with pistachios and almonds.
Pistachios from other brands turned soggy, but Turkey Hill kept it crunchy, making the dessert more delightful. The almond extract is potent, but the sugar content is good enough.
FAQs
Is pistachio ice cream healthy?
Yes, pistachio ice cream is a healthy option compared to other flavors in the market. It also has gluten-free varieties and low-nutrition calories for health-conscious individuals.
What makes pistachio ice cream green?
Most pistachio ice cream in the market is green because of food coloring. The green color of pistachios is caused by their antioxidant content [1].
But because of the ice cream ingredients in the mix, the color gets diluted, and manufacturers would use food coloring to make it have a distinct green color.
What does pistachio ice cream taste like?
Pistachio ice creams have a savory nuttiness and sweet taste. It is one of the most sought-after flavors in the United States [2].
Is there a vegan version of pistachio ice cream?
Yes, a vegan [3] version of pistachio ice cream exists. You can make it without an egg or buy one at vegan ice cream stores.
Final Thoughts
Pistachio ice creams have many variations: gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free [4]. It is easy to make at home, but you should try it from different ice cream stores.
Häagen-Dazs is one of the best flavors I tried. Still, you can choose any brand you like, especially doing outside activities, like grocery shopping, waiting for the cinema, or walking.
References:
- https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/pistachios-heres-know-popular-nuts-192406427.html
- https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-ice-cream-flavors-america-1594000
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-a-vegan
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/spotlight-dairy-free
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