This super easy 5 Ingredient Homemade Basil Pesto recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and is so much better than store-bought. Plus, I’ve collected 15 of my favorites recipes to use this pesto in one place. Enjoy!

Love homemade sauces? Then try my Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce and my Bourbon Barbecue Sauce!

5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto | chefsavvy.com

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    Homemade Basil Pesto

    What do you do when you have an abundance of basil in your garden? You make pesto! Pesto is super easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time and is a great way to use up extra  basil.

    This Homemade Basil Pesto recipe only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. It’s delicious and super easy to make!

    Even better, you can make this fresh in the summer and freeze or can to use all year long. Perfect for sandwiches, grilling, pasta, and so much more!

    5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto recipe

    How To Make Homemade Basil Pesto

    Wondering how to make pesto? Simply add of the ingredients — basil, pine nuts, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper — to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Season as needed, and enjoy!

    Pesto ingredients in food processor

    Variations

    • Change up the greens and herbs! Mint, parsley, arugula, spinach, kale, broccoli, carrot greens … the options are endless!
    • Mix up the nuts! Pecans, walnuts, and almonds work beautifully here.
    • Customize the flavor profile to your liking! I like adding lemon juice, walnut oil, sun dried tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes.
    Pesto in food processor

    How To Store Homemade Pesto

    • Store your homemade pesto in a tightly sealed container. To help extend the life of the pesto cover the top with plastic wrap making sure to touch the top of the pesto so air doesn’t get in. Another trick is to add a thin layer of oil to the top of the pesto to also help keep the air out. Pesto stays good in the refrigerator for up to a week.
    • You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray. Just leave a little space to top with olive oil to keep it from browning.

    What To Serve With Homemade Pesto

    Easy Homemade Pesto recipe | chefsavvy.com

    More Pesto Recipes To Try

    Recipe

    5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto

    4.67 from 3 votes
    Super Easy 5 Ingredient Homemade Basil Pesto Plus 15 Pesto Recipes! This Homemade Pesto takes only 5 minutes to make and is so much better than store-bought!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Serves 2 About 1 cup
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      Ingredients 

      Instructions

      • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until combined.
      • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 8gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 202mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1364IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 190mgIron: 2mg

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