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Basil is the most prolific plant in my garden every single year. It is my favorite to grow because it produces so well and because there are so many dishes that can be enhanced with the flavor of this herb. Homemade basil pesto is one recipe that I use to make the most out of my annual basil overflow.

Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

There are several different varieties of basil and any of them can be used for homemade pesto. For example- you could choose Thai basil, sweet basil, or lemon basil depending on the flavor profile that you prefer (and depending on what varieties you decided to plant in your garden this year).

Ingredients

2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
4-5 Garlic Cloves
⅓ cup Pine Nuts
4-5 Lunchbox Sweet Peppers
⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese
⅓ cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
⅛ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
Pinch of Redmond Real Salt

Basil Pesto Recipe Steps

STEP 1: Harvest

If you are using basil from your garden for this homemade basil pesto, then you will need to harvest enough for 2 cups of leaves. Clip the stems just above the new leaf nodes so that new leaves can continue to grow in the place of your harvest. Wash & dry the leaves and gently remove them from the stem.

STEP 2: Toast

Place the pine nuts and unpeeled garlic cloves into a heated dry skillet. Toast for 4-5 minutes over medium heat. Allow them to cool and then peel the garlic cloves.

pine nuts and garlic cloves roasting in a dry skillet

STEP 3: Chop

Cut the stems off of the lunchbox peppers and roughly chop them…they don’t have to be chopped to any certain size, just enough to make it easier for the blender to puree them.

STEP 4: Combine

Add all of the basil pesto ingredients into a blender or food processor. Try adding only half of the olive oil first and add more as needed. This will help you to avoid an overly oily pesto.

Ingredients for homemade basil pesto in a blender

STEP 5: Blend

Blend the ingredients together until the homemade basil pesto reaches your desired consistency.

STEP 6: Enjoy!

Enjoy your homemade basil pesto tossed with a pasta salad, spread on a slice of homemade bread, or used as a veggie dip!

How to Store Basil Pesto

This basil pesto recipe can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container (like a mason jar) for up to a week. You can freeze homemade pesto in ice cube trays (transferred to freezer bags) or in mason jars for 3-6 months.

Uses for Homemade Basil Pesto

This pesto sauce can be added to almost any dish!

Here are a few ideas:

Spread basil pesto on sandwich bread for an upgrade to your lunchtime sammies
Use this pesto as a veggie dip
Mix basil pesto in with a pasta salad
Top chicken, fish, or steak with homemade basil pesto
Use pesto in place of pizza sauce
Add pesto to your pasta sauce
Mix basil pesto in with eggs
Enjoy pesto on top of hard cheese

Pasta salad with pesto and tomatoes in a white bowl

How to Preserve Extra Basil

If you still have an abundance of basil left in your garden, then you can air-dry, oven-dry, or freeze it!

Sweet Pepper & Toasted Garlic Basil Pesto Recipe