There are over 500 types of pecans in the world, and most pecans in the U.S. are from Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico, although they can be grown in many other states. This smooth and brown nut has an edible kernel in a similar fashion to a walnut.Pecans are considered a tree nut, from the hickory species; other nuts in the same category include cashews, almonds, and walnuts.
Cooking with pecans brings a delicious, nutty flavor to several dishes and can be used as a coating for fish or chicken or incorporated into a salad; and, of course, pecans are always welcome in a dessert. Knowing measurement equivalents, as well as a few pecan cooking tips, will make using this tasty nut in recipes a cinch.
Measurements and Substitutions
Sometimes, recipes including pecans call for the nuts in a form you may not have, like the nuts out of their shells, or cut in half, or chopped when you have a bag of whole pecans. Knowing some simple conversions will make cooking and baking with pecans super simple.
If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.
If you don't have pecans, in most recipes walnuts are interchangeable in equal measure, although cooks should keep in mind that pecans have a more delicate flavor. You can also try substituting peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and macadamia nuts for chopped pecans.
Cooking Tips
Pecans are delicious eaten as is, but toasting them will really bring out their aroma and add a nice crunchiness to a dish. To toast the nuts, preheat the oven to 375 F and spread pecans on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned and aromatic.
Pecans can also be ground into a meal and used as a wonderful flavoring additive to bread, cookies, and other baked goods. However, care must be taken when grinding your own pecan meal at home since the high oil content can turn the meal into a butter-like consistency if done too fast.
For a hefty price, you can find pecan oil in gourmet stores which works beautifully in many recipes.
Sweet and Savory Recipes
The most popular pecan dish ispecan pie, but there are many other delicious recipes that feature this nut, from crispy coated fish to chicken salad to crunchy cookies. Take your salmon up a notch by coating it with honey mustard and a pecan-panko crumb mixture; the result is a restaurant-quality dish. The combination of apples, pecans, and dried cranberries make a chicken salad more than just a tasty lunch option, combining crunch and flavor with a bit of nutrition. Pecan praline cookies bring the nuttiness and crunch of pecans to a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie. And pecan pralines with bourbon will transport you to New Orleans' French quarter; the buttery and nutty candy is hard to resist. You can even give regular maple syrup a flavorful twist with butter pecan syrup.
FAQs
If you don't have pecans, in most recipes walnuts are interchangeable in equal measure, although cooks should keep in mind that pecans have a more delicate flavor. You can also try substituting peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and macadamia nuts for chopped pecans.
How much is 1 cup chopped pecans? ›
There are about 4 ounces of pecan pieces in a measuring cup. You can use this information as a yardstick for determining the amount or quantity you wish to buy.
How to measure nuts for baking? ›
Measuring Chopped Nuts, Shredded Cheese or Cereal: fill a dry measuring cup lightly without packing down the ingredient, and level off so it is even with the top of the cup. Measuring Butter or Margarine Sticks: cut off the amount needed, following guidelines marks on the wrapper, using a sharp knife.
How many pecans are in 1/4 cup? ›
A serving of pecans is 1 ounce, which is a little less than one-fourth cup or 19 pecan halves.
How to replace nuts in a recipe? ›
Substitutes for nuts include dried fruit, chocolate and seeds, such as pumpkin or sunflower. Of the nine major food allergens, two are nuts — specifically peanuts (technically a legume), and tree nuts, including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
How to get a nutty flavor without nuts? ›
Seeds. “If you're taking away a nut, the best thing to substitute is a seed,” Pecoraro says. Seeds are an ideal swap because they offer similar crunch, protein and, well, nutty flavor, especially when toasted.
How to measure 1 oz of nuts? ›
Remember, 1 handful equals 1 oz. of nuts and small candies. For chips and pretzels, 2 handfuls equals 1 oz.
Do you measure nuts before or after chopping? ›
For example, "1 cup walnuts, chopped" calls for measuring the walnuts before chopping, while "1 cup chopped walnuts" directs you to measure the nuts after chopping. Preparing an ingredient before or after measuring can make a big difference in the amount actually used.
How many pecan halves are in 1 oz? ›
A one-ounce serving of pecans (approximately 20 halves) contains 196 calories, 20.4 grams total fat (1.8 saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 grams sodium, 2.7 grams dietary fiber and over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc.
What is the equivalent of 1 cup of nuts? ›
Cups to Grams Conversion Table
| Ingredient | 1 cup | ½ cup |
|---|
| Nuts (chopped) | 150g | 75g |
| Nuts (ground) | 120g | 60g |
| Breadcrumbs (fresh) | 60g | 30g |
| Breadcrumbs (dry) | 150g | 75g |
13 more rowsFist = 1 cup
You can use this tool for measuring food items such as pastas, potatoes, nuts, and even ice cream. A Cupped Hand = 1/2 cup The Palm = 3 oz. The palm of your hand can be used to estimate protein intake. 1 palm is equivalent to a 3 oz.
How to prepare nuts for baking? ›
Toasting Nuts in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Spread the nuts in a single layer on your baking sheet; don't crowd or assemble them too close together.
- Put the baking sheet in the oven, and bake until the nuts are fragrant and slightly browned, about 5–8 minutes, depending on the size and type of the nut.
Nutritional Value
There's little difference between nuts and walnuts in the nutrients they provide, but pecans have slightly fewer calories and offer more fiber than walnuts. If you're creating recipes to encourage weight loss, pecans can give you a bit more of a feeling of fullness, thanks to their fiber content.
What is the healthiest nut? ›
Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.
Are pecans anti-inflammatory? ›
He also noted the anti-inflammatory properties of pecans observed in the study reduced low-grade inflammation that leads to chronic inflammation and the development of a range of prevalent diseases. He added that this also shows pecans maintain body weight and prevent diabetes despite consuming a high fat diet.
What nut tastes like pecan? ›
Hickory nuts: Hickory nuts resemble walnuts but have a rich, oily flavor similar to toasted pecans. Macadamia nuts: These tropical nuts taste rich, sweet, and buttery.
What is a cheaper substitute for pecans? ›
Almonds: Versatile and affordable, almonds offer a crunch like pecans, enhancing both sweet and savoury recipes economically. Walnuts: With similar texture and flavour, walnuts are a budget-friendly alternative to pecans, adding a rich, nutty taste to dishes.
Are walnuts and pecans interchangeable? ›
You'll find pecans in desserts more often than walnuts. Walnuts work very well in savory recipes, and their slight bitterness and crunchy texture can liven up everything from oatmeal to salads and pasta. Overall, you can use pecans and walnuts interchangeably in recipes.
What can you substitute for pecans in streusel topping? ›
Streusel Topping Recipe Ingredients
Pecans – my favorite nut to use, but can be subbed with walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts.
