Nuts & seeds · Tree nuts

Pecans

Smooth, sweet, buttery nuts from North America; the nut for pecan pie, pralines and many bakes.

Also called: pecan nuts, pecan halves, nueces pecanas

A kind of nuts

What it is

Pecans are long, oval nuts with a smooth, glossy brown shell and a two-lobed kernel similar in shape to a walnut but more elongated. They are sweeter, more buttery and less bitter than walnuts. They are a type of hickory nut native to North America.

Carya illinoinensis

How it’s used

Baked into pecan pie and sticky buns
Made into pralines and candied nuts
Toasted on salads, sweet potatoes and oatmeal
Added to cookies, brownies and banana bread

Characteristics

Taste: Sweet, buttery and mildly toasty.
Texture: Crisp and tender.
Sold as: whole, chopped
Cooking uses: Usually eaten raw, Suitable for baking, Used as a garnish
Common in: American, Southern US, Mexican, Canadian

Storage

Refrigerated. High in oil: keep airtight in the fridge or freezer for longest freshness.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Tree nuts.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Tree nuts are a major allergen; an allergy to one nut does not rule out others, and nuts are often packed on shared lines, so check 'may contain' warnings.
People allergic to walnuts often also react to pecans.