Basil is one of our favorite herbs. When you get it fresh, basil adds a wonderful herby sweetness to your dishes.
We’ve compiled this great list of Fresh Basil Recipes so that you can make the most of this gorgeous herb.
You’ll find flavors you expect like pesto and caprese, as well as many other great ways to use basil.
From pastas to salads, soups to appetizers, dressings to sweets, there is a huge variety of things here for you to try in these Basil Recipe ideas.
Go through all of these great basil recipes so you always know how to use fresh basil to it’s fullest!
What to Cook With Basil:
1. Pesto Sauce
We’re starting this list of great Basil recipes with our own favorite classic Pesto Sauce. One of the great sauces of Italian cuisine, pesto has a rich basil flavor, along with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan cheese.
The sauce is ready in just 5 minutes and it’s very delicious and versatile.
2. Thai Basil Chicken
Not only is this Thai Basil Chicken, AKA Pad Krapow Gai, is one of the most popular foods in Thailand.
It’s flavorful and extremely delicious and will soon become your family’s favorite super quick dinner.
3. Pesto Pasta
Pesto Pasta is a light and fresh Italian dish with a beautiful sauce. It’s great with other add ins like veggies and proteins. Today we’re going with cherry tomatoes and asparagus.
4. Tomato Basil Chicken
Would you make this chicken dish if I say just three things? Super easy, super quick and super delicious!! It’s actually quite brilliant and good looking too!!
Those gorgeous looking cherry tomatoes in a slightly buttery-orangey sauce with fresh basil are just too good on otherwise plain chicken breast.
5. Thai Green Curry
This Thai Green Curry is an absolute flavor bomb, with spicy, salty, umami and sweet Thai flavors. You can customize it from mild to Thai Hot!
6. Pesto Shrimp and Grits
This Pesto Shrimp and Grits recipe is an amazing fusion of two of my favorite cuisines… Italian and American Southern.
Just imagine succulent shrimp coated in that herby, basil pesto sauce. Sound good? Now pile them on a bed of creamy grits enhanced with fresh parmesan cheese.
If you love comfort food, this is a new star in your kitchen!
7. Thai Basil Fried Rice
Here’s a little spin on your regular fried rice with a huge flavor upgrade!! This Thai Basil Fried Rice is infused with such amazing spicy and umami flavors that you will wonder how simple fried rice can be so tasty.
8. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is the light and tasty side dish you need this summer. A simple mix of quinoa, a few veggies, some Mediterranean staples, and a zesty lemon dressing is all it takes.
It’s a perfect dish for those sultry grilling nights when you have some chicken or pork chops over the fire.
9. Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian dish, where chicken is braised to tender perfection in a well seasoned tomato based sauce.
It is a rustic dish with plenty of fresh herbs like basil and parsley, veggies, and usually a good splash of wine. The next time those Italian cravings hit, make this restaurant quality dish in your own kitchen…
10. Pesto Eggs
Pesto eggs have been taking the internet by storm, so we decided to give them a try. Why not? We love pesto and we love eggs!
This is a simple, but incredibly tasty, breakfast that whips up in no time, if you already have some pesto handy.
11. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto is a light and refreshing side dish bursting with great flavors!
12. Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These big ol’ mushrooms are tender, fleshy goodness stuffed to the brim with everyone’s classic favorite… Caprese!!
A simple mix of vibrant cherry tomatoes, gooey mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Beautiful vegetable side for your meatloaf.
13. Tomato Basil Soup
This slow cooker tomato basil soup is your new favorite comfort food for chilly nights. Serve with parmesan cheddar croutons for extra deliciousness.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
14. Pork Chops with Lemon Basil Cream Sauce
If you need a new pork chop recipe, here it is! Crispy fried chops get topped with a delicious creamy lemon basil sauce. This will be your new favorite weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
15. Basil Pesto Bread
This Basil Pesto Bread recipe is very easy to make and it’s super flavorful. It’s great for sandwiches, or as a side to your favorite Italian meals. Oh, and it’s baked in a slow cooker.
16. Chicken Caprese Mac and Cheese
Chicken Caprese Mac and Cheese recipe is just too good! It’s so easy, and so, so delicious.
It’s a one skillet meal that combines the amazing and fresh flavors of caprese with mac and cheese. This is the best comfort food!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
17. Summer Blackberry Basil Pizza
Meet your new favorite summertime pizza. This easy and delicious Blackberry Basil Pizza is perfect for summer BBQ’s or backyard parties, and celebrates two of summer’s most beloved crops.
Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons
18. Basil Vinaigrette
It’s always good to have a nice salad dressing recipe on hand, and this basil vinaigrette is it! It’s loaded with fresh basil, and will really brighten up your salads.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
19. Mango Basil Smoothie
This Mango Basil Smoothie is incredibly creamy and fresh, and is going to become one of your favorite summertime cool down treats.
It only takes about 5 minutes and is great any time of day.
Get the Recipe @ wholesomelicious
20. Avocado Caprese Pasta Salad
This is your favorite caprese salad, evolved. It’s loaded with the usual juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, now with the added creaminess of avocado!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
21. Basil Feta Sauce Chicken
Do you like feta cheese? If yes, then you will love this Basil Feta Sauce Chicken Recipe.
The amazingly flavorful sauce really elevates your basic chicken into a restaurant quality meal.
22. Peach, Basil and Ricotta Flatbread
If you’re craving something fresh and homemade, then this Peach, Basil and Ricotta Flatbread is perfect for you.
It features seasonal ingredients like fresh peaches and basil, along with ricotta and a balsamic vinegar reduction that make this flatbread super delicious.
Get the Recipe @ cookieandkate
23. Strawberry Basil Bruschetta
Strawberry Bruschetta is made with fresh basil, strawberries, balsamic glaze and Greek yogurt over fresh baguette. It’s an easy recipe made in just 15 minutes.
24. Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet
This Creamy Basil Chicken is a flavorful, quick weeknight dinner that is prepared in one skillet and is ready in just 30 minutes.
It’s bursting with fresh basil flavors, and makes for great meal prep.
Get the Recipe @ thegirlonbloor
25. Thai Basil Beef Noodle Stir Fry
If you love Thai basil flavors as much as us, you need to try this quick and easy beef noodle stir fry. It’s a perfect weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
26. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
It doesn’t get much more comforting than this Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake, and it will soon become your family’s favorite.
The kids are going to love this cheesy bake!
Get the Recipe @ halfbakedharvest
27. Sun Dried Tomato Basil Hummus
This twist on hummus is going to become your new favorite party appetizer! Perfect for dipping, it takes just minutes to make and is bursting with fresh basil flavor.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
28. Baked Fish with Garlic and Basil
Baked Fish with Garlic and Basil is a combination of garlic, basil, a few spices and lemon. It’s a fantastic and flavorful meal for your family. The next time you crave seafood, give this tasty fish recipe a try.
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
29. Basil Ice Cream
Here’s a unique combination of two summer favorites: ice cream and basil!
Although it may sound like an unusual pairing, the sweet and fresh flavor profile works beautifully.
Get the Recipe @ abeautifulplate
30. White Bean Artichoke Basil Toasts
These White Bean Artichoke Basil Toasts are a quick and easy appetizer or lunch that all basil lovers are going to adore. 10 minutes is all it takes to put these tasty bites on the table.
31. Flounder with Basil Lime Pesto
Flounder with Basil Lime Pesto is simple and easy, and makes a great company meal.
This super delicious flounder dish is best with homemade basil, which is included in the recipe.
Get the Recipe @ keystothecucina
32. Basil Mayo
Take your favorite condiment up a few notches with this Basil Mayo! It only takes a few minutes to mix up, and will add brightness and flavor to all of your sandwiches, wraps, and mayo based salads.
Get the Recipe @ theviewfromgreatisland
33. Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Panini
This Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Panini makes a super delicious sandwich for the whole family.
It’s a hearty and wholesome lunch, perfect for a weekend picnic.
Get the Recipe @ cookieandkate
34. Creamy Basil Dressing
Your going to love this Creamy Basil Dressing, it is so much more than just a salad dressing. Slather it on grilled meats or veggies, use it on wraps, toss it in pasta salad… you’ll be using it on everything!
Get the Recipe @ favfamilyrecipes
35. Garlic Basil Barramundi Skillet with Tomato Butter Sauce
This Garlic Basil Barramundi Skillet with Tomato Butter Sauce recipe is so easy and absolutely delicious. Plus, it gets ready in just 30 minutes.
This recipe has all the fresh and flavorful summer ingredients, and is an effortless dinner for your whole family. Perfect one skillet dish for a weeknight dinner.
What a great collection of ways to use fresh basil! Go beyond the usual suspects, and get full use of the versatility of this amazing herb.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Pasta Recipes
Italian Recipes
Pizza Recipes
Salad Recipes
Summer Dinner Idea
Summer Desserts
Green Bean Recipes
How to Use Fresh Basil (35 Great Uses)
We’ve compiled this great list of Fresh Basil Recipes so that you can make the most of this gorgeous herb. For starters, try this easy pesto sauce:
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup Parmigiano cheese (or other hard cheese)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Rinse basil and remove leaves from stem. Peel garlic.
- Add basil leaves, garlic cloves, cheese, salt and pine nuts to blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until ingredients are blended into a coarse mixture.
- Drizzle in olive oil and pulse blender until all ingredients are well mixed. If needed, scrape sides of blender to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Add lemon juice and again pulse.
- Taste and adjust salt, garlic and cheese to your taste.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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