Mediterranean Basil Pesto

Take any meal to the next level with this fresh and delicious pesto recipe!

Pesto is a wonderful way to pack a ton of healthy flavor into many different dishes. Our Mediterranean basil pesto is a step above other pesto recipes for two main reasons! First, it’s made with ingredients that align with the largely popular and nutritious Mediterranean diet. Second, it packs so much flavor that it will elevate any meal you add it to! What’s not to love about that? Ready in just 20 minutes, this is a recipe you’re definitely going to want to try. 

Ingredients Needed for this Pesto Recipe

Pesto is actually incredibly easy to make and usually only requires a handful of ingredients. To make this Mediterranean basil pesto you will need:

• Fresh basil
• Pine nuts
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

While the recipe below will provide you with delicious pesto, we always want you to feel free to switch things up! You can tweak it however you see fit. Here are some great and flavorful ideas.

Ingredient Swaps

If you want to swap an ingredient, consider one of these yummy options:

Basil Leaves: Instead of basil, you can use a combination of other leafy greens like spinach, arugula, or kale for a different flavor profile. Keep in mind that the taste will vary accordingly.

Garlic: If you’re not a fan of garlic or prefer a milder flavor, you can omit it altogether or use roasted garlic for a sweeter taste.

Pine Nuts: Pine nuts can be quite expensive and at times difficult to find. You can substitute them with other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or even cashews. Toast the nuts for exceptional flavor.

Parmesan Cheese: For a vegan Mediterranean pesto, you can use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative. If you prefer a different cheese flavor, try using Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese instead of Parmesan.

Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the traditional choice, but you can use other oils like avocado oil, walnut oil, or even sunflower oil if you prefer. Each will lead to a slightly different flavor profile.

Salt and Pepper: You can adjust the seasoning based on your preference.

Additional Ingredients and Modifications

If you want to add some extra flavor, consider adding other herbs and spices such as red pepper flakes, lemon zest, or even a dash of balsamic vinegar for extra depth of flavor. You may also like:

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: If you want to give your recipe more of a umami flavor, simply blend 14 ounces of sun-dried tomatoes in oil, with 1 ounce of toasted pine nuts, 1 ounce of peeled almonds, and a bunch of fresh basil.

Zucchini: First, grate 7 ounces of zucchini. Squeeze the grated zucchini with your hands to remove as much water as possible. Then, put the zucchini in a blender and add 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of toasted pine nuts, and a half cup of fresh basil. Blend everything together and enjoy!

Preparing this Mediterranean Basil Pesto Recipe

If you’ve never made pesto before, this first step might sound a little strange – but hear us out! Begin by putting the components of your blender (the blades and the container) in the freezer.

Chilling these components will reduce oxidation of the pesto, which will keep it looking and tasting fresher for longer.

While your blender is chilling, you will need to wash the basil leaves in a colander and dry them VERY WELL with a kitchen cloth. You need to make sure that they are perfectly dry, so that the excess water will not ruin the pesto in the refrigerator!

Next, take your pine nuts and toast them in a frying pan, until they start to get golden brown.

Assemble the blender once it’s nice and cold, and add the pine nuts, the garlic (without the sprout, which you can easily remove with a knife), and the olive oil. Blend everything until smooth.

Finally, add the clean and dry basil as well as the Parmesan cheese, and blend everything until it reaches a smooth consistency. And there you have it! Easy and delicious Mediterranean basil pesto! Not sure how to serve it? Keep on reading!

How to Use this Mediterranean Basil Pesto

There are quite a few ways that you can enjoy your Mediterranean basil pesto! Toss it with some cooked pasta, spread it on a sandwich, drizzle it over grilled vegetables, or use it as a flavorful dip or sauce! Here are some recipes in which we’ve used pesto:

Let us know how you use your Mediterranean basil pesto in the comment section! 

What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Basil Pesto?

On the off chance you end up with any of this delicious pesto remaining, it’s important to know the best way to store it to keep it as fresh as possible for as long as possible! 

We highly recommend storing this basil pesto in an airtight jar, although a tupperware container will work too. Add a tablespoon of extra virgin oil on top before sealing (this will prevent oxidation and maintain freshness). Your Mediterranean basil pesto will last about a week when stored in the refrigerator. 

On the other hand, if you want to have a longer-lasting supply, the same jar can go in the freezer for up to 3 months. But keep in mind, the fresher the better! We hope you enjoy it!

What did you think of this Mediterranean basil pesto? Let us know in the comment section! Want more pesto recipes? We can help! Here are some flavorful options:

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