Homemade Basil Pesto

ByCaitlyn
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This recipe brings home a vibrant and flavor-packed pesto that is ready for a variety of dishes. With fresh basil, bright lemon juice, and raw pine nuts, you will be making homemade basil pesto to complement your next Italian meal on the regular.

Overhead shot of homemade basil pesto with garlic cloves and fresh basil leaves.

Chasing Pesto

Now, I will be the first to admit how much I love basil pesto, but nothing beats homemade basil pesto. It just has that garden-fresh taste, perfect for those hot summer days.

Hop off a ferry in Porto Venere, Italy, and pesto is EVERYWHERE. This quaint seaside village is rich with history and homemade basil pesto. Enjoy it on pasta in a cup, on top of focaccia bread as a pizza, or simply by itself with a spoon. I’m not kidding, it isn’t hard to find this stuff, and it is also some of the best basil pesto I have ever eaten.

On the ferry ride over, we were told that this little village is known for its basil pesto, but even more specifically, on focaccia with cheese as pizza. Say no more! Pushing my way past all of the little souvenir shops and the local farmer’s market, I found what I was looking for. I may have devoured the food in a matter of minutes, but I still savored every bite.

Satisfied, I roamed the historic streets of this seaside Italian village. Tourists and locals alike were smiling from ear to ear with something pesto-related in their hands. We visited some other local villages before returning to the shores of Porto Venere. I had to get one last taste of that fresh, homemade basil pesto before leaving the area and Italy altogether.

Back at home, I found the inspiration to make my first batch of homemade basil pesto, and what a relief when I realized how easy, yet flavorful, this recipe is! First bite, and I was right back in that little Italian village.

Why THIS Recipe?

I was never brave enough to try to make my own basil pesto because I figured it was easier to buy a jar from the local grocery store. Let me tell you my surprise when I found out how easy it was to make some in my own kitchen. Not only does this recipe come together with fresh and vibrant flavors, but it also takes nearly no time to make. A little tip from me to you: buy. the. basil. plant. This way, you will have fresh basil for longer, because believe me, you will want to make this recipe any chance you get!

The Things Inside: The Ingredients

  • Basil – make sure you get fresh for this recipe, it matters
  • Lemon Juice – a whole lemon is all you need
  • Parmesan Cheese – buy the block and grate the cheese yourself
  • Garlic Cloves – whole garlic cloves are fine, just don’t forget to peel them
  • Pine Nuts – raw, whole pine nuts are what it calls for
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – make sure it’s quality

Building The Dish: Step-By-Step Guide

  • Step 1
  • Add the basil, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, freshly grated parmesan cheese, whole garlic cloves, and pine nuts to a food processor or blender.
  • Step 2
  • Gently pulse the ingredients until they are mixed and finely chopped.
  • Step 3
  • While the food processor or blender is still running, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Do this slowly so it blends in perfectly with the other ingredients, creating a smooth texture.
  • Step 4
  • Season with salt to your liking! And voila, you’re finished!

The Perfect Pairing

Basil pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used in numerous ways. You could use it in pastas to elevate your sauce, on pizza as an alternative to red or white sauce, or as a nice spread on your panini. Add to your salads with your favorite Italian dressing or use as a dip for No-Knead Focaccia Bread. Needless to say, it goes with just about anything!

Have Leftovers?

If you didn’t devour your basil pesto in one go, you are probably wondering how to store it to keep it fresh. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If you keep it beyond that, it starts to lose its flavor. It’s as simple as that!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Overhead shot of homemade basil pesto with garlic cloves and fresh basil leaves.

Homemade Basil Pesto

  • Author: Caitlyn
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This recipe brings home a vibrant and flavor-packed pesto that is ready for a variety of dishes. With fresh basil, bright lemon juice, and raw pine nuts, you will be making homemade basil pesto to complement your next Italian meal on the regular.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups fresh basil, packed
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Add basil, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and pine nuts to a food processor or blender. Gently pulse until the ingredients are mixed and finely chopped.
  2. With the food processor or blender running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth.
  3. Season with salt to your preference. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Buy a basil plant for the freshest basil.

Don’t forget to share this recipe!

Hey there! I’m Caitlyn, the brains behind The Traveler’s Ingredients. I’m an amateur chef, baker, and avid food lover who is also passionate about visiting every corner of the world that I can! I am adamant about recreating dishes that I fell in love with in my travels, mastering comfort meals, and building packing lists to ease pre-trip jitters.

Similar Posts

  • No-Knead Focaccia Bread

    ByCaitlyn

    This foolproof recipe makes airy focaccia bread with perfectly crisp edges every time. Top it with your favorite herbs and olive oil to bring home a slice of Italy. Hard To Say, Easy To Make Fookacia, focasia, foocashia, uhhh, how do we even say it? Foh-ka-CH-ia. Okay, but what is it? Essentially, it is an…