Name: Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.5 cup pine nuts; 3 clove garlic*; 1 lemon; 3 cups fresh basil leaves; 0.333 cup parmesan cheese; 0.333 cup extra virgin olive oil

From the Cook

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Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

Instructions

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Instructions

Add the pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are broken up – about 10 times.

Next, add the basil and parmesan and pulse until the basil is broken into small pieces – about 10 pulses.

With the food processor on low speed, slowly drizzle in ⅓ cup of olive oil. Add more olive oil as desired for a smoother consistency.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Garlic: you can leave it out all together or just add in as much as you’d like. I typically like a lot but anywhere between 1-5 cloves would work well.

Storage: Homemade pesto will stay fresh for about 5–7 days in an airtight container. Press a thin layer of olive oil on top to help prevent browning.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Your Pine Nuts First 🔥
Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding to pesto to unlock their rich, nutty flavor and prevent them from tasting raw or bland.
Pulse, Don't Puree 💚
Use short pulses in a food processor rather than continuous blending to maintain basil's vibrant green color and fresh texture—over-processing causes oxidation and heat damage.
Add Lemon Last 🍋
Stir in fresh lemon juice at the very end after processing to preserve its bright acidity and prevent the basil from darkening due to citric acid exposure.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients 🌡️
Bring your olive oil, cheese, and basil to room temperature before making pesto so they blend smoothly and emulsify properly without separating.
Freeze in Ice Cube Trays 🧊
Portion pesto into ice cube trays before freezing to create single-serving cubes that last up to 3 months—thaw exactly what you need for pasta, pizza, or sandwiches.