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

1/10

Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

Food with Feeling Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

Instructions

Visit Blog

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.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Pine Nuts First 🔥
Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding to pesto to unlock their rich, buttery flavor and prevent them from tasting bland or raw.
Use a Mortar and Pestle 🧅
Pound ingredients by hand instead of using a food processor to release oils gently and create a chunkier, more textured pesto with better flavor complexity than over-blended versions.
Blanch Basil Strategically 🌿
Briefly blanch basil leaves for 10 seconds before using to preserve their vibrant green color and prevent oxidation and browning, especially if you're freezing the pesto for later.
Add Lemon Juice Last ⏰
Incorporate lemon juice only after blending and just before serving to prevent the acid from breaking down the basil and darkening the pesto prematurely.
Reserve Pasta Water for Consistency 💧
Mix a splash of starchy pasta cooking water into your pesto before tossing with pasta to help the sauce cling to noodles and create a silkier, more cohesive coating.