Simple basil pesto is one of the easiest ways to use a large handful of basil in one go, and it turns a delicate herb into a flexible sauce.
Pesto does not need to be precious. The useful version is the one you will actually make when basil is abundant and starting to fade.
Before you start
Get all of the main ingredients prepped before the heat really matters. A simple recipe becomes much calmer when the chopping, measuring, and seasoning decisions are already made, and it also makes it easier to stop cooking at the right moment instead of chasing the pan.
Why this recipe works
Basil, fat, and a little salt create a concentrated sauce that stores better than loose leaves and is easier to use through the week.
When this recipe is especially useful
This is a strong recipe to keep around when you have good produce that needs a clear job, when you want something more practical than impressive, or when you need dinner to do a little cleanup work without tasting like cleanup.
Ingredients
- 2 packed cups basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Nuts or seeds
- Hard cheese, optional
- Garlic
- Salt
- Optional: lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the basil, nuts or seeds, garlic, and a pinch of salt in a food processor or blender.
- Blend while adding olive oil until the mixture becomes a thick sauce.
- Add cheese if you want it and adjust the texture with more oil as needed.
- Taste and adjust the salt or lemon if using.
- Use right away or store in a covered container with a thin layer of oil on top.
Tips
Pesto is flexible, but a few choices keep it fresher and more useful.
- Do not overprocess it into a completely flat puree unless that is the texture you want.
- Nuts, seeds, or cheese can shift based on what you have.
- Freeze extra pesto in small portions for later.
Storage
Pesto keeps for a few days refrigerated and much longer in the freezer.
Variations
Yes. You can use different nuts or seeds, and some people omit the cheese or add other herbs.
Make it part of the week
Yes. Pesto is one of the best make-ahead herb preparations because it freezes well. Serve it with pasta, toast, sandwiches, vegetables, eggs, beans, or grain bowls. That makes this kind of recipe especially useful when you want leftovers, meal components, or one dependable way to keep produce moving through the kitchen.
Related Produce
Find fresh basil from local farms near you.