One of my favorite herb garden staples is basil. By the time fall rolls around, I often find myself with an excess of this herb and a need to find creative uses for it. If you have an herb garden, you may wonder what to do with fresh basil.
I find that I use small amounts of basil throughout the season for smaller appetizers and dinners. Toward the end of the growing season, I need recipes that use up what I have left. Bonus points if they can be frozen!
Here I’m sharing some of my favorite tried and true uses for fresh basil. I hope this inspires you to put your herb garden to use. If you don’t have an herb garden, perhaps you’ll want to give it a try!
Pesto is first on the list, because it is hands down my favorite way to use an abundant garden harvest of basil. I love it because you can make a few big batches and freeze them for later use. I’m still enjoying basil pesto from last year’s herb garden!
I recently tried making pesto butter with some of the pesto I had stashed in my freezer. It was absolutely delicious! I brought some pesto butter and a loaf of fresh baked bread to a small family get-together, and it was a hit. If you already have pesto made, this recipe comes together so quickly.
Bruschetta is a delicious way to use whole basil leaves. I make bruschetta in a very simple yet delicious way. Slice a thin loaf of Italian bread, drizzle with olive oil, and toast in your oven (I do 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes). Layer a basil leaf, slice of fresh milk mozzarella, and a tomato slice on the warm bread. Enjoy!
Basil pesto makes for a delicious pasta dish! I love making pesto pasta because if you’ve already prepared the pesto, most of your work is already done. I’ve made a pasta and chicken dish and just added the pesto all by itself as a sauce. It tastes amazing! Or, you can try one of my favorite pesto pasta recipes below.
I love a classic margherita pizza, and the fresh basil is the final touch that makes this dish so delicious. But really, you could add basil as a topping to a variety of different pizzas – just wait until the end to add it so that it doesn’t wilt in the oven.
Are you noticing a pattern here? Basil and tomatoes are a winning combination! Enjoy this mouthwatering power duo by making your own caprese salad with fresh basil.
What’s your favorite way to use fresh basil? Share your ideas in the comments!
Design, thrifting, and entertaining are my passion, and I share that passion with you through this blog. I also love being in the kitchen and crafting cocktails. I love Jesus and occasionally, I talk about him too. He has been so powerful in my life, and I love to bring him glory with my hobbies.
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