Easy Lemon Basil Pesto Recipe

Fresh lemon basil pesto is such a bright and savory herb sauce. It is so delicious tossed with sourdough pasta, or spread on pizza or a sourdough sandwich. Using fresh ingredients, this easy pesto recipe is so much better than store bought. 

Summer is right around the corner and I cannot WAIT for all of the fresh garden produce to start rolling in. Fresh herbs might be one of my favorite things to grow because the flavor just does not compare to dried herbs. They instantly make any meal more flavorful and beautiful. If you’ve ever nurtured a basil plant, you know that you’re quite likely to end up with an abundance of fresh basil leaves. Making homemade basil pesto is a great way to put those delicious herbs to use!

Fresh pesto is a great sauce to have on hand. It’s so tasty in pasta dishes, on a pizza, or even a sandwich. Sometimes we just dip crackers into pesto for a quick, healthy snack. This simple lemon basil pesto literally just takes a minute to make from start to finish. It also freezes super well. We love to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer all year long. 

what is pesto?

Fresh basil pesto is a bright green sauce made from fresh basil, olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and garlic. The name comes from the Italian word “pestare,” which means, “to crush.” Traditional pesto was made using a mortar and pestle, but making it in a food processor is much easier and faster.

ingredients you’ll need to make homemade pesto

Fresh basil – Pesto can be made using other fresh herbs, but there is nothing like a fresh basil pesto.

Walnuts – Traditionally, toasted pine nuts are used, but have you seen the price of pine nuts? Walnuts are a much more affordable option and taste just as good. They lend a subtle nutty flavor and give structure to the sauce. 

Extra virgin olive oil – Find a good quality olive oil. 

Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated will have the most flavor. 

Lemon juice – Adds a delicious, bright flavor and maintains the beautiful color.

Garlic clove or garlic powder – Fresh garlic is so delicious, but garlic powder works in a pinch.

Sea salt –  Add to taste.

​how to make traditional basil pesto

1. Add the walnuts to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until there are no large pieces left. 

2. Next, add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and sea salt and pulse again.

3. Finally, add the fresh basil and freshly shredded parmesan cheese and process until smooth. 

That’s it! It’s really that simple to make.

how to store pesto

Fresh pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To extend that amount of time, drizzle a little olive oil or lemon juice on top of the pesto. This will help preserve the bright green color. You can also press plastic wrap right on top of the pesto to prevent browning. 

Pesto also freezes beautifully! My favorite method is freezing it in ice cube trays so that it is divided into small portions ahead of time. When it’s completely frozen, pop the cubes out and store in a plastic bag in the freezer until ready to use. 

what variety of basil is best for pesto?

There are many different varieties of basil. The most types are sweet (Genovese) basil, Thai basil and lemon basil. Any of these varieties will produce a beautiful pesto, but for the most classic flavor, use sweet basil. This is what what most people think of when talking about basil, and it’s the most commonly found variety in grocery stores. 

how to serve lemon basil pesto

1. Spread on some sourdough sandwich bread with salami, cheese and a fresh heirloom tomato for a delicious lunch.
2. Toss with fresh sourdough pasta. <- This is my favorite pasta of all time. 
3. Whisk with a little extra-virgin olive oil and use as salad dressings for a caprese salad. 
4. Top a sourdough pizza crust with fresh pesto instead of pizza sauce. 
5. Mix it into some scrambled eggs or mac and cheese. 
6. Stir into mashed potatoes for a delicious fresh herb flavor.

lemon basil pesto recipe variations

After you’ve mastered this classic lemon basil pesto, it’s fun to change it up! You can make make delicious variations by swapping nuts, seeds, veggies, and different herbs.

• ​Instead of walnuts, try pine nuts, almonds or pistachios. Lightly toast pine nuts before adding to the food processor for optimum flavor.

• Make nut-free pesto by using sunflower seeds in place of nuts. 

• Mix up the herbs! Try any combination of fresh basil, fresh cilantro or fresh parsley!

• For a more lemony variation, stir in some fresh lemon zest after mixing in the food processor.

• Add a little more nutrition with some fresh kale or spinach. 

• Leave out the cheese for a vegan version.

grow your own basil

​Fresh herbs are so fun to grow because they don’t take up much space, so they can easily be planted on a windowsill or a few small containers outside. Basil is no exception. Refer to this post for all of best advice on growing your own basil!

recipe card for lemon basil pesto

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