Basil Pesto

Basil pesto is a great way to add flavor and freshness to any dish. It is quick and easy to make, and you can even freeze it for later use.

You can use this basil pesto as a sauce for pasta, as a spread on sandwiches and pizza, or drizzle it over tomato soup before serving.

Pesto is incredibly versatile and an easy way to add big flavor to any recipe.

With a few ingredient substitutions, it is easy to change up the flavors and make hazelnut pesto, tomato pesto, mint pesto, or any other variation you can dream up.

Try our prosciutto-pesto-pasta for a quick weeknight dinner, or elevate a simple grilled chicken to gourmet status with a dollop of pesto. 

Here is Why You Will Love This Recipe:

• Fast and easy to make thanks to the food processor.
• Adds flavor to any dish
• Gluten free
• Freezable. Make it in advance and keep it in the freezer for quick meal prep. 

The Ingredients:

• Basil leaves. Italian basil is traditional for pesto but you can use Thai basil for hints of spiciness or lemon basil for a bit of zing. We have even used purple basil for a fun color.
  
• Pine nuts. You can use raw pine nuts or toast them for a nutty, toasted flavor.
  
• Fresh Garlic. If you have extra large garlic cloves, use a bit less so it doesn’t overpower the pesto.
  
• Parmesan cheese. Purchase a block of cheese instead of the pre-grated stuff. It is so much better.
  
• Olive oil. We love this olive oil for pesto (affiliate link). It has a great flavor and it is affordable.
  
• Salt. Adjust the amount of salt to your liking. Parmesan is already a bit salty so you may not need all of the salt.

How to Make It In A Food Processor:

Here is a quick overview of the process for our basil pesto. Using a food processor is the best way to make a large batch. Scroll down to the printable recipe card and check out the tips below.

1. Place everything but the olive oil and salt in a food processor. Pulse until combined. 
2. With the processor running, slowly drizzle the olive oil in until you have the consistency you like. 
3. Taste the pesto and add half of the salt. Taste it once more and add additional salt if needed.

More Condiment Recipes

• Preserved Lemons
• Fig Jam (with Dried Figs)
• Quick and Easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise Sauce
• Lamb and Beef Shawarma Spice Rub
• 28 Essential Condiment Recipes

Tips for Success:

• Prevent the pesto from turning brown. When you store the pesto, the surface can turn brown from oxidation. If you drizzle a glug of olive oil on the surface, it acts as a barrier to the air, and the pesto will stay green.
  
• Freeze in useable portion sizes. Use ice cube trays to portion the pesto into small cubes. You can also fill freezer bags and press the bags flat. Once frozen, you can break off thin chunks to use as needed. 
  
• Choose good olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is key to good pesto. We love this olive oil (affiliate link), it gives the pesto a rich, authentic flavor, and it is affordable.
  
• Mince the garlic before you add it to the food processor. That way, you won’t risk having large chunks of garlic if it doesn’t get blended well.  

Keep this sauce on hand for quick, easy weeknight meals by adding it to pasta or vegetables and using it as a marinade or sauce with chicken or fish. It makes an otherwise plain dinner pop with flavor.

Helpful Tools:

Some of the following are affiliate links. If you click on these links and purchase something, we may receive a small commission. You don’t pay any extra but it will help us keep the lights on. 

• Food processor.
• Good olive oil.
• Pine nuts.

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love:

This creamy Lebanese Garlic Sauce has amazing garlic flavor. It’s excellent on grilled meats, falafel, and shawarma, but it’s versatile enough to put on almost everything.

A smoky Mexican mole sauce made with dried chiles, herbs, and spices, plus a little dried fruit and chocolate. Serve with turkey wings or drumsticks or any sort of meat for an incredible meal.

This wonderful Lemon-Dill Aioli Sauce is smooth and creamy, with a distinct dill flavor that pairs perfectly with fish. Try it on our fried rockfish.