Nothing says "summer" quite like fresh basil! But what about when summer is over? Or, when you have too much basil on hand to use fresh? This is the perfect pesto recipe to enjoy now, or, freeze to enjoy all year long! Enjoy our nut-free and dairy-free variations if you desire.
Prep time: PT20M
Total time: PT25M
Rating
4.85 stars (66 reviews)
Keywords
Basil Pesto, Pesto, Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 cups Washed fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup Grated parmesan cheese ( (Vegan variation: substitute with 1 tbsp nutritional yeast and/or a handful of raw cashews))
1/2 cup Walnuts ((Nut allergies? Substitute with 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, or 1/4 cup hemp seeds or sunflower seeds))
1/3 - 1/2 cup Olive oil*
1/3 - 1/2 cup Lemon juice*
2 - 3 cloves Garlic, peeled
1/2 tsp Salt
Categories
Dressing
Sauce
Side Dish
Steps
Wash basil and remove leaves from stems.
In a blender or food processor, combine all of the ingredients as listed above.
*Start with 1/3 cup each of lemon juice and olive oil, and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy! Store in the refrigerator, and use within one week.
Add to freezer-safe wide-mouth jars if you intend to preserve it. Freeze, and use within one year.
Reviews
Leila Daniel on 2025-12-07 (5 stars): I love this recipe so much! It was so easy to whip up a batch from my overflowing garden basil. And it's such an amazing feeling pulling that frozen pesto out of the freezer when you don't want to cook but still want something delicious. Saved me so much time in the long run! Thanks Deanna and Aaron!
Dani on 2025-09-13 (5 stars): My go to recipe! Just came back to make sure I have all the ingredients and proportions. I had a bumper crap of basil this year! Super excited to get some of besto pesto in the freezer for winter.
Missy on 2025-08-26 (5 stars): We love Besto Pesto. I use the vegan version of this recipe the most and it is fantastic!
Christine on 2025-08-24 (5 stars): Such an easy and delicious recipe! Looking forward to making it again this summer!
Toni on 2024-08-10 (5 stars): Even though I've been following the advice of Honestead and Chill for year, today was the first time making their Besto Pesto recipe! Please excuse my french, by HOT DAMN this pesto recipe is GOOOOOD. Super simple ingredients, very quick and easy to make, and absolutely delicious. Better than any other pesto recipe I've made in the past and I won't be going back! Thank you Deanna and Aaron for all you do and being such an inspiration.
Austin S on 2024-08-06 (5 stars): Deanna & Aaron,
I grew my own basil (and other veg, too) for the first time using advice and tips from your website. I made sure that your Besto Pesto would be the first recipe of yours I made with my own produce. It is so flavorful that I licked the food processor clean as if I had just made cookie dough.
I love all that you two have been doing here and on Instagram!
Stephanie Kowalski on 2024-07-17 (5 stars): This is seriously the best pesto I've made. The lemon juice makes all the difference. Happy to have found this way to use my abundant basil!!
Samantha G on 2024-06-30 (5 stars): Such a flexible recipe, and it comes out brilliantly with each variation! Love!
