Homemade Basil Pesto (Tips & Tricks!) | Something About Sandwiches (2024)

Here I’ll show you how to make the most delicious homemade basil pesto. After seeing how easy this recipe is you’ll never get store bought again!

If you’ve never made your own pesto, or are just looking for a really good solid pesto recipe, then you’ve come to the right place. Homemade pesto is WAY too easy and delicious not to make and the difference between homemade and store bought is mind blowing. Follow me…

Homemade Basil Pesto

There’s a few different varieties of pesto out there, but a classic basil pesto is by far the most superior (based on, well, my opinion 😂). The best thing about it is you only need 5 ingredients:

• Basil – As fresh as possible. Avoid discoloured basil or basil that is beginning to wilt. Small stalks are fine but you’re mainly looking to use the leaves only.
• Parmesan – Must be freshly grated. Don’t use packet/powdered parmesan, you’ll ruin both the flavour and texture of the pesto.
• Pine Nuts – Adds a nice bit of texture to the pesto. Optionally toasted for an extra hint of flavour.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic, just one clove will do.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This binds the pesto. I highly recommend using extra virgin for it’s classic flavour. Olive oil will give you a much more mellow flavour.

What can I use instead of Pine Nuts in pesto?

Pine nuts have a gorgeoussweet and almost buttery taste to them, they really are perfect for pesto. But as we all know, they are expensive. If you want to substitute because of this reason, almonds,pistachiosandwalnuts all work pretty well. Cashewsalso have a subtle taste to them so they could also work well. If you’re looking to substitute forallergy reasons,sunflower seedswork, however they may turn your pesto slightly grey.

How to make Pesto

As mentioned, pesto is incredibly easy to make, and there’s two main methods that we’ll go over today.

Method #1 – Food Processor

This is the quickest method of the two. It also requires the least amount of effort. At it’s heart, you can add all of the ingredients and pulse until desired texture, but there is a couple of tips for best results:

• Garlic and Pine Nuts – I recommend pulsing these first, just so you can get the nuts to your preferred texture and blitz through the garlic so there’s no large chunks.
• Gradual Oil – In all cases I recommend slowly adding the oil. Just add all your ingredients in, turn on the motor and slowly pour in the oil through the funnel. This will not only help the oil emulsify better, but also give you more control on the consistency of the pesto.

Method #2 – Pestle and Mortar

Bit more elbow grease for this one, but the results are arguably slightly better. Ablenderwith simplycutthe ingredients into teeny weeny pieces, where apestle and mortarwillcrushthem, breaking down thecell wallsandreleasing the flavours. If using a Pestle and Mortar – start by crushing garlic with salt, this will form a paste. Then begin adding in your basil as much as you can at a time. Follow with your nuts and parmesan and crush to desired texture. Finish by mixing in your oil around 1 tbsp at a time to emulsify.

Pesto FAQ

How do I store Pesto?

Place in a tightly sealed jar with a layer of oil on top of the pesto. Every time you use the pesto top up the oil to help from oxidising. This will last at least a week, if not longer. You can also freeze pesto, they go quite neatly in ice trays to pop out when you need them. If you are freezing I recommend adding the cheese afterwards, the taste of it will change if it’s frozen.

How long does Pesto last?

Using the oil method above storing in the fridge will last around a week, anything after that just be vigilant with your senses before using it. Pesto is great for up to a month in the freezer.

How do I make Vegetarian Pesto?

You can buy vegetarian parmesan (make sure there’s no animal rennet in it) or use any other hard cheese.

How can I use Pesto?

Pesto is great with so many things. Just below I use it to make Pesto Mayo. Pesto mayo itself is great to spread in sandwiches, but it’s also great for dunking in your sandwich sides too.

Serving Basil Pesto

I of course recommend slathering it in a sandwich! My favourites are Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Tomato Grilled Cheese and my Ultimate Pesto Grilled Cheese.

It’s also great drizzled on soup – namely my Roasted Tomato Soup!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this homemade basil pesto shall we?!

How to make Basil Pesto (Full Recipe & Video)

If you loved this Homemade Pesto Recipe be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below!