Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
Prep time: 5 min | Cook time: 0 min | Total time: 5 min
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, fresh flavor of homemade Basil Pesto. With just a handful of simple ingredients — fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, and a pinch of salt — this classic Italian sauce comes together in minutes and adds SO MUCH flavor to everything from pasta and sandwiches to roasted veggies and grilled meats.
Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
Prep time:
5 min
Cook time:
0 min
Total time:
5 min
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, fresh flavor of homemade Basil Pesto. With just a handful of simple ingredients — fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, and a pinch of salt — this classic Italian sauce comes together in minutes and adds SO MUCH flavor to everything from pasta and sandwiches to roasted veggies and grilled meats.
– know before you bake –
Traci & Caylie’s
Recipe Highlights
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This is our go-to pesto recipe: smooth, bright, and packed with bold basil flavor. Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or elevating your favorite summer dishes, this pesto delivers that fresh-from-the-garden taste every single time.
And yes — it freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy it long after basil season is over!
Traci & Caylie Crossland
We’ve been making homemade pesto every summer for over 15 years. This is the same recipe we’ve shared at cookouts, used in our test kitchen, and made in big batches for the freezer. It’s one of those go-to recipes that just never fails — and we’re so excited to share it with you!
Read more about us and our blog →
What You’ll Need to Make This Basil Pesto
This classic pesto recipe comes together in just minutes with a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you need:
- Fresh Basil – The star of the show. Use sweet basil leaves for the best flavor — packed, not chopped. Make sure they’re bright green and not bruised.
- Pine Nuts – This is what adds that signature buttery richness. Can’t find them or want a swap? Walnuts, sunflower seeds, or even pistachios work in a pinch.
- Garlic – Just a clove or two adds depth and sharpness. Raw garlic is bold, but it mellows once blended with the other ingredients.
- Parmesan Cheese – Use freshly grated Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano, if possible) for the best flavor and texture.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – A good-quality olive oil is essential. It binds everything together and adds that silky finish.
- Salt – Just a pinch to bring all the flavors into balance.
Pro Tip: Always taste and adjust! Pesto is easy to customize — more garlic for extra bite, more cheese for richness, or more oil for a looser sauce.
How We Make Our Favorite Basil Pesto
This is one of those recipes that’s as simple as it is delicious. Just toss everything into the food processor and blend!
Here’s how we make it:
- Combine All Ingredients – Basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, Parmesan, and olive oil all go into the food processor at the same time. No need to add things in stages. This recipe is super easy!
- Blend Until Almost Smooth – Pulse a few times to get things started, then stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly mixed. Keep blending until it’s mostly smooth but still has a bit of texture — that’s what gives pesto its signature texture and flavor.
- Taste and Adjust – Once the pesto is blended, give it a taste and make sure it’s to your liking.
👇 Watch It Come Together in 15 Seconds!
Prefer to see it in action? Watch our quick video to see exactly how we make this fresh basil pesto!
It’s fast, easy, and shows just how simple this recipe really is.
That’s all there is to it — a fresh, flavorful pesto in just minutes that works with everything from sandwiches like our Chicken Caprese Sandwich or even something as simple as our Basil Pesto Star Bread!
Quick Tip: Pesto thickens as it sits. If you’re storing it or making it ahead, stir in a little olive oil before serving to loosen it up.
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When you make this Basil Pesto Recipe, be sure to leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.
Happy baking!
x, Caylie
Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in bowl of food processor.
- Process for a few seconds.
- Scrape down sides.
- Process for a few seconds more.
- Taste for seasoning.
Notes + Tips!
– Pine nuts can be swapped with walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or even pistachios. Just know that each option will slightly change the flavor and texture.
– Parmesan can be substituted with Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
– For a dairy-free version, simply leave out the cheese, add a spoonful of nutritional yeast, or use a vegan parmesan cheese alternative. Tips for Success:
– Use fresh, vibrant sweet basil leaves — skip any that are wilted or bruised for the best flavor and color. Also be sure that you are not using Thai Basil in this recipe!
– Want a deeper, nuttier flavor? Try lightly toasting the pine nuts before blending — it adds a rich depth of flavor to your pesto.
– Stop blending about halfway through to scrape down the sides of your food processor. It helps everything combine evenly!
– Don’t over-blend. A little texture is part of what makes pesto so good. Storage Instructions:
– Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
– To help it stay fresh and green, smooth the top and add a thin layer of olive oil before sealing.
– You can also freeze it in small portions (like in an ice cube tray). Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.
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Let Me Introduce You!
Hi and welcome! We’re Traci and Caylie, a mother-daughter duo with 30+ years of combined experience in baking, recipe development, and food photography. Our expertly developed and delicious recipes have led us to be featured in publications such-as: Costco, Crate & Barrel, & more!
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Disclaimer
We use affiliate links on our Equipment Needed and Recommended Products section of each recipe. If you click through these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We use Baby’s Breath for photographic purposes only. Do not consume any parts of the plant.