If you have ever grown basil, you know that basil plants produce a lot of basil. Their constant need for pruning to stay healthy means you need a lot of ways to use your basil.
Luckily, there are plenty of delicious basil recipes out there. Whether you have a handful of basil or 2 cups, these recipes will help you find ways to use your basil.
These 17 Delicious Fresh Basil Recipes include sauces, salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, and more. Enjoy trying something new with your fresh basil.
Contents
17 Fresh Basil Recipes
Whether you are looking to use some basil left over from a recipe or basil you grew yourself, these 17 Recipes will help you use that delicious fresh basil.
1. Pesto
When most people think of Basil they think of pesto. Below you will find a variety of pesto recipes to try if you have tons of basil to use. Pesto is both a great topping for meat or pasta and a great seasoning addition to a recipe.
One of the great things about pesto is that you can freeze the leftovers and use them later. If you are not sure when you will need pesto and you have a lot of basil now, making pesto and freezing it is a great option.
2. Basil Chimichurri
Chimichurri is another green sauce that you can make with basil. Chimichurri tastes great on steak, pork, chicken, and potatoes.
Like Pesto you can freeze any extra sauce you have to keep it pretty and green until you need it again. To freeze either your chimichurri or your pesto, spoon it into ice cube trays. once frozen you can move the cubes to a freezer safe Ziploc bag.
3. Tomato Basil Sauce
Tomato Basil Sauce is another great sauce for pasta or chicken. Like Pesto and Chimichurri, this sauce can be frozen if you make more than you need.
Tomato Sauce can be modified easily to fit whatever meal you are making whether it is chicken and pasta or shrimp on rice. Toss in some mushrooms, peas, spinach, or any other vegetables you like.
4. Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is a great summer salad. Cool and refreshing on a summer day it is easy to make. Toss in some chicken, tuna, or cooked shrimp for some extra protein.
You can toss in some peas, green beans, asparagus, or broccoli as well. Serve this as a one pot meal or as a side dish at a potluck.
5. Tomato Basil Salad
Tomato Basil Salad is great in the summertime. Use fresh heirloom tomatoes or heirloom cherry tomatoes for the most flavor. Fun additions to this salad are chopped green onions or chives, sliced green olives, and chopped cucumber.
This salad tastes great if you make it ahead of time. Do not make it too far in advance but you can make it the morning of or the evening before.
6. Cucumber Basil Salad
Basil Cucumber Salad is perfect for a hot summer day. Salads made with basil should be eaten fairly quickly so make sure to make only as much as you need.
You can make these recipes ahead of time. Basil will start to brown so make sure to add it at the last minute for the freshest taste.
Cucumber, Basil and Melon Salad
7. Pesto Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a summer favorite. If you have a lot of basil on hand you can make pesto Chicken Salad. You can make it as a topping for a salad, put it on a sandwich, or mix it in with pasta.
This is also a great use of leftover roast or grilled chicken. If you are looking for something easy and delicious this fits the bill.
8. Basil Arugula Salad
Basil and Arugula make a great salad. If you enjoy the taste of basil this salad is full of that sweet flavor. Toss some shrimp, grilled scallops, or leftover chicken on top.
You can also add corn, chopped cucumber, fresh tomatoes, and anything else you enjoy in salads. The addition of some pesto to the salad dressing is especially delicious.
Lemon Basil Arugula Pasta Salad
9. Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
Chicken and basil go great together. Try one of these delicious chicken and basil recipes. Whether you are looking for a chicken with basil sauce recipe or a one-dish meal, these recipes have you covered.
Serve your chicken and basil cream sauce on top of or beside pasta or risotto. You can also serve it with bread or orzo.
Chicken & Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce
10. Pesto Grilled Cheese
This Delicious Basil take on a grilled cheese sandwich uses pesto to enhance the delicious flavors. Use your basil to make one of the pesto sauces above and enjoy.
You can serve this delicious sandwich by itself, on the side of a basil arugula salad, or with the Tomato Basil soup recipe below.
11. Pesto Turkey/Chicken Sandwich
Turkey and Chicken sandwiches are another great use for all that pesto you made with your basil. If you still have some basil leftover you can add it like lettuce to the sandwich.
These sandwiches are great for a summer picnic or served open face for dinner with a side salad. You can also serve them with a Gazpacho.
12. Basil Hummus
Basil is a great addition to everyone’s favorite Mediterranean dip: Hummus. Basil goes great with the lemon and garlic that is so delicious in Hummus.
This great dish tastes best when made a day ahead. It is a great addition to any picnic or summer barbecue. Top it with some tomatoes or put some cherry tomatoes on the side for dipping.
13. Basil Frittata
Frittatas are a great breakfast dish. You can add fresh basil to a frittata just like you would add spinach, arugula, or kale. Basil Frittatas taste great with tomatoes, olives, feta, mozzarella, artichokes, potatoes, and more.
Top your frittata with a dollop of pesto or basil aioli. Frittatas are a great option if you are hosting a brunch. You can double or triple a recipe and make it into a sheet pan dish.
14. Pesto Macaroni & Cheese
Another great use of all that pesto you made out of your basil is Macaroni and Cheese. Pesto Mac and Cheese is easy and delicious.
You can make it ahead of time, put it in a baking dish and reheat it in the oven when you are ready. Mix in some chicken for some extra protein or some vegetables for some extra color.
15. Cucumber Basil Gazpacho
Gazpacho is the perfect summer soup. Cucumber Basil Gazpacho is simple and refreshing. A more traditional Gazpacho is a tomato gazpacho. Corn Gazpacho is another great option.
Make sure to chop up some toppings such as fresh basil, chopped tomatoes, chopped cucumber, chopped jalapeños, or chopped onion.
16. Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup is another great use of Basil. You can make this hot and serve it with a grilled cheese in the Autumn, Winter, or Spring. You can also serve it chilled in the summertime.
This delicious soup is so easy to make it is the perfect potluck dish. Make a huge pot at home the night before. All you have to do is reheat it or serve it as a chilled soup.
17. Basil Infused Water
Infused waters are a great way to refresh yourself on a hot summer day. Basil is a common and popular infusion ingredient and can be mixed with a number of other ingredients.
Great Basil Infusion options include Basil and Orange, Basil and Berries, Basil and Melon, and more. Basil can also be frozen into ice cubes to be used later if you are going to a party.
Strawberry Basil Infused Water
Wrap Up
These 17 easy and delicious uses for fresh basil will be a crowd pleaser no matter what. Enjoy exploring and tasting basil in all its glory.
Mix and match the recipes for a whole meal or customize a recipe by adding ingredients to turn it into a one-dish meal. Happy cooking and happy eating!
17 Fresh Basil Recipes
Ingredients
- Pesto
- Basil Chimichurri
- Tomato Basil Sauce
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Tomato Basil Salad
- Cucumber Basil Salad
- Pesto Chicken Salad
- Basil Arugula Salad
- Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
- Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Pesto Turkey/Chicken Sandwich
- Basil Hummus
- Basil Frittata
- Pesto Macaroni & Cheese
- Cucumber Basil Gazpacho
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Basil Infused Water
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!