Garden-to-Table Recipe: Garden Pesto

How to Make Garden Pesto

When your basil plant goes from lush to positively bushy, that means one thing: it's time to make some homemade garden pesto!

I love to eat my garden pesto fresh, but it's also so easy to preserve so you can get a burst of summer flavor, even in the dead of winter. And while basil is the traditional herb in pesto, it isn't the only garden herb you can use!

Recipes that use garden pesto

There are so many great ways to incorporate garden pesto into your meals. Pesto is jam-packed full of herbs and other greens, which boost the nutrient levels in your garden-to-table meals. And the flavor of pesto really packs a punch.

Here are all the ways I utilize my pesto:

• pasta dishes

• soups

• salad dressings

• marinades

• grilled veggies

• sandwiches + wraps

My new favorite way to enjoy garden pesto is on a BLT, along with garden tomatoes and fresh picked crunchy greens. It takes this simple sandwich to the next level.

Garden Pesto Recipe

I've got a delicious easy starter recipe below. I use this recipe as a base and I tweak it depending on what ingredients I have available.  I often switch out my herbs, nuts, and seeds depending on what is in season. It's fun to be able to try a bunch of flavor combinations! And luckily, it's pretty hard to screw up a pesto!

• 3 cups fresh basil leaves

• 4-5 cloves of garlic (option: roast it first)

• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese  or Pecorino Romano (vegan option: use nutritional yeast)

• ½ cup organic olive oil

• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

• ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional)

Pesto Herb Options

• Basil

• Parsley

• Arugula

• Fennel Fronds

• Mint

• Cilantro

• Kale

While not technically a herb, peas in Pesto are also tasty!

Nut & Seed Options

• Pine Nuts

• Walnuts

• Almonds

• Pistachios

• Sunflower

• Sesame

• Pumpkin Seeds

Feeling spicy?

Add a little cumin, pepper flakes, coriander, nutmeg, and/or a zest of citrus zest or juice!

A Few Final Twists:

• Roast the nuts or seeds first and cool. 

• You have the option to roast the garlic first as it tempers the bite.

How to Preserve Pesto

• Freeze in 4-ounce ball jars

• Freeze in ice cube trays and transfer to stasher bags once frozen

Tip: you can add a thin layer of olive oil after you fill your pesto container of choice to ensure it stays green.  I’ve never had my pesto turn black in ball jars 🤔. But, if you would rather be safe than sorry it’s a quick step you can add.  

To get more garden-to-table recipes like my garden pesto, check out my garden guidebook. In addition to healthy recipes to use up your kitchen garden harvest, my guidebook is full of how-tos, tips, tricks, tools, and resources to set you up for a successful garden season. Check it out!

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