If your basil plant is taking over the garden or your fridge, these basil recipes will help you use it up fast. Pesto is great, but it isn't the only way to put fresh basil to work. This post rounds up the best sweet and savory ways to cook with basil, plus tips for keeping it fresh longer.
This post is a guide to fresh basil recipes for anyone with more basil than they know what to do with. It covers savory and sweet ways to use basil beyond pesto, from pasta and salads to drinks and desserts, along with storage tips to keep basil from wilting or turning black. It's written for home cooks who want practical, tested ideas instead of another pesto recipe. Readers will come away with a full list of basil recipes and answers to the most common questions about buying, storing, and cooking with fresh basil.
You'll love these basil recipes (that aren't all pesto!)
Basil is one of those herbs that does more than sit on top of a dish. It has a peppery, slightly sweet flavor that works in tomato sauce, salad dressing, cocktails, and even fruit desserts. A few torn leaves can turn a simple weeknight dinner into something that tastes like you tried. That's why I always keep a pot of basil growing on my counter all summer long.
The tricky part is that basil doesn't last. It bruises easily, wilts fast, and turns black if it sits too long in the fridge. The best fix is to use it up quickly, which is exactly what this list is for. Whether you have a few sprigs left over from a recipe or an entire plant that got out of control, you'll find plenty of ways to cook with it here, no pesto required.
The Best Basil Recipes
From weeknight dinners to easy appetizers to drinks that make basil the star instead of an afterthought, this list has something for whatever you're craving. Save the ones that catch your eye, since basil season doesn't last forever and you'll want a plan for using it all.
If you're looking for a pasta salad that's creamy, flavorful, and absolutely impossible to stop eating, this Marry Me Pasta Salad is the one. It takes all the best flavors from the viral Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a cold pasta salad you'll be making on repeat all summer long.
If you are looking for a fresh and fun twist on the classic mojito, this basil mojito is exactly what you need. It has all the things you love about a traditional mojito: that bright citrusy lime, the sweetness, the bubbles, but instead of mint, fresh basil steps in and completely elevates the whole drink. It is herbaceous, a little sweet, a little tart, and absolutely gorgeous in the glass.
If you are looking for an easy appetizer that looks impressive but takes almost zero effort, this is it. This easy bruschetta dip with Boursin cheese is one of those recipes that will have everyone asking for it before the night is even over.
This white wine butter sauce is bright, fresh, rich, and pairs so well with so many dishes from pasta to seafood to chicken and even vegetables! Made with simple ingredients like fresh garlic cloves, olive oil, white wine, and unsalted butter, it’s a delicious sauce that feels fancy without any fuss.
I love making these marinated mozzarella balls in the summer! You can have so much fun with so many different flavors, and it's such a great use for your fresh basil growing in your garden.
There is nothing better than some fresh homemade pesto paired with soft, pillowy gnocchi! Add some freshly grated parm on top, and it's one of my favorite summer meals.
If you haven't made a pasta salad with tortellini, you have to! The caprese-style pasta salad is so easily elevated with tortellini.
This is such an easy summer side dish recipe that uses the basil from your garden!
FAQs
What can I make with basil besides pesto?
Basil works in pasta sauce, caprese salad, bruschetta, salad dressings, marinades, and even cocktails or desserts. Try tearing it over pizza, blending it into a vinaigrette, or muddling it into a summer drink for a quick way to use it beyond pesto.
How do you store fresh basil so it lasts longer?
Treat basil like flowers. Trim the stems and stand them in a glass of room-temperature water, away from direct sunlight. Basil is cold-sensitive, so refrigerating it usually makes it wilt and turn black faster.
Can you freeze fresh basil?
Yes. Chop the leaves and freeze them in ice cube trays with a little olive oil or water. This keeps the flavor intact for months and gives you pre-portioned basil to drop straight into sauces, soups, or dressings.
What flavors pair well with basil?
Basil pairs best with tomato, garlic, lemon, mozzarella, olive oil, and strawberries. It also pairs well with Thai and Vietnamese flavors like coconut milk, chili, and lime, making it more versatile than most herbs.
Why does my basil turn black so quickly?
Basil bruises easily and reacts poorly to cold temperatures, which causes the leaves to darken. Handle it gently, tear rather than chop when you can, and store it at room temperature instead of in the refrigerator.
Can you eat basil stems?
Yes, especially the thinner, younger stems near the top of the plant. They have a milder version of the leaf's flavor and blend easily into sauces, pesto, or dressings. The thicker, woody stems near the base are better left out.
Other summer recipes that could use some basil
This whipped ricotta dip with honey is such a great combination of sweet and savory, and a sprinkling of fresh basil would give the perfect peppery flavor.
Instead of chives, you can absolutley incorporate some fresh basil into this french onion soup dip.
Mint Juleps are known to be enjoyed during the Kentucky Derby, but you can really enjoy them all summer long, and basil is such a delicious substitute for fresh mint!
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