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Turn your summer bounty of fresh basil into this light basil sauce to top grilled meats, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and everything else!
I love watching my backyard basil plant shoot up and bloom. It must be summer!
Going out to our small garden bed and snipping fresh herbs for our dinner is so fun and rewarding and, of course, convenient.
How to Make Basil Pesto
Traditional basil “pesto” is made from fresh basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and is usually a thick, spreadable consistency. (I love to use it on this super easy 15-Minute Baked Fish!)
The recipe below for fresh basil “sauce” is even simpler than the traditional version and only includes basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice (typically ingredients I always have on hand!). The result is a thinner sauce, packed with flavor and perfect for drizzling over your favorite grilled or cooked meat (try my Easy Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs!).
Ways to Use Basil Pesto Sauce
Fresh basil sauce is so delicious on sooo many things! Here are a few of my favorite ways to eat basil sauce:
- Drizzle basil sauce over your salad greens or pasta salad
- Spread a dollop of basil sauce onto your sandwich for a fresh, light flavor (no other condiments needed!)
- Serve basil sauce on vegetables, such as green beans, cauliflower, or mashed potatoes.
- Try basil sauce drizzled over popcorn!
- Basil pesto is great as a dip for raw veggies!
- Love grilled cheese? Layer sliced cheese, pesto sauce, and a slice of tomato between bread for a twist on this favorite sandwich!
- Pesto sauce over cooked pasta is an exciting change from regular red-sauce spaghetti.
- Make easy pesto flatbread: spread basil sauce onto a warm tortilla wrap or naan, add grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh Parmesan cheese, and chopped tomatoes. Enjoy!
To Make a Thicker Basil Sauce
If you prefer the (thicker) traditional pesto texture, you can easily blend in 2-3 tablespoons pine nuts and about 1/3 cup grated Parmesan. Gradually blend in the olive oil until the pesto is the consistency you desire.
Yield: 1 cup
1 minPrep Time
1 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend the basil, garlic, and lemon juice. Gradually blend in the olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle over meat, pasta, salad, sandwiches, etc.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftover sauce.
Notes
For a thicker sauce (traditional pesto), you can easily blend in 2-3 tablespoons pine nuts and about 1/3 cup grated Parmesan. Gradually blend in the olive oil until the pesto is the consistency you desire.
Original post: May 17, 2017 | Updated: April 22, 2021
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