Few herbs capture the flavor of summer quite like fresh basil. Its lush green leaves have a sweet, peppery fragrance that complements tomatoes beautifully—but basil can do far more than finish a caprese salad or flavor a pot of tomato sauce.
At the farmers market, you may find several kinds of basil, from familiar Italian varieties to Thai basil and other specialty types. Each has its own personality, but all can bring freshness and fragrance to simple food.
When basil is abundant, think beyond the garnish. Blend it into pesto, stir it into butter, infuse it into honey and syrup, or scatter it over fruit and vegetables. Here are twelve delicious ways to make the most of a generous bunch.
(1) Make a Classic or Creative Pesto
Pesto is one of the easiest ways to preserve the bright flavor of fresh basil for another meal. Traditional basil pesto is wonderful, but there is plenty of room to experiment.
Try combining basil with:
- Arugula for a peppery pesto
- Spinach for a mild, family-friendly version
- Mint and pistachios for a fresh Mediterranean flavor
- Kalamata olives and feta for a Greek-inspired pesto
- Oregano and toasted hazelnuts for a more robust sauce
Toss pesto with pasta, spoon it over grilled vegetables, spread it on sandwiches, or swirl it into soup.
(2) Blend Basil into a Finishing Salt
Fresh basil, parsley, garlic, and sea salt make a fragrant all-purpose seasoning.
To make a simple basil salt, process equal parts fresh basil and parsley with a few garlic cloves until finely chopped. Mix with sea salt, spread the mixture on a parchment-lined tray, and dry it thoroughly in a low oven.
Sprinkle basil salt over:
- Sliced tomatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Roasted potatoes
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Corn on the cob
- Avocado toast
- Popcorn
A small pinch can wake up an otherwise simple dish.
(3) Whip Up Lemon-Basil Honey Butter
Basil may not be the first herb that comes to mind for a sweet compound butter, but it pairs beautifully with honey and lemon.
Blend softened butter with finely chopped basil, lemon zest, a spoonful or two of honey, and a small pinch of salt. Refrigerate until firm, then bring it to room temperature before serving.
This fragrant butter is especially good on:
- Warm biscuits
- Toast or English muffins
- Cornbread
- Pancakes and waffles
- Grilled fish
- Roasted carrots or squash
(4) Infuse Honey with Fresh Basil
Gently warming honey with basil creates a simple herbal infusion with both sweet and savory possibilities.
Place honey and a handful of fresh basil in the top of a double boiler. Warm gently, without boiling, and allow the basil to steep as the honey cools. Strain if desired.
Drizzle basil honey over yogurt, ricotta, goat cheese, fresh fruit, biscuits, or toast. It can also be stirred into tea or used in a salad dressing.
Because this preparation contains fresh herbs, keep it refrigerated and use it promptly.
(5) Make Orange-Basil Syrup
Orange and basil make an unexpectedly wonderful pair. The citrus brings brightness, while the basil contributes a sweet, slightly peppery fragrance.
Combine equal parts sugar and water with strips of orange peel, a little fresh orange juice, and a generous handful of basil. Warm until the sugar dissolves, remove from the heat, and allow the basil and orange to steep as the syrup cools. Strain and refrigerate.
Add Orange-Basil Syrup to:
- Sparkling water
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Mocktails and cocktails
- Fresh berries
- Fruit salad
- Plain yogurt
- Vanilla ice cream
(6) Layer Basil into Sandwiches
A handful of basil can transform a simple sandwich.
Tuck whole leaves into a tomato and mozzarella sandwich, layer them with grilled vegetables, or add them to turkey, chicken, tuna, or egg salad sandwiches.
Basil also pairs especially well with:
- Fresh or roasted tomatoes
- Mozzarella, ricotta, goat cheese, and feta
- Peaches and nectarines
- Grilled eggplant and zucchini
- Prosciutto
- Lemon-flavored mayonnaise
- Olive tapenade
For the brightest flavor, add the leaves just before serving.
(7) Add Basil to Summer Fruit
Basil’s peppery sweetness makes it a natural partner for ripe summer fruit.
Tear or thinly slice the leaves and combine them with:
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Plums
- Cherries
- Fresh figs
Finish the fruit with a squeeze of lemon or lime. A drizzle of basil honey or Orange-Basil Syrup makes the combination even more special.
(8) Toss Basil into Salads at the Last Minute
Basil can be treated as a salad green rather than simply an herb. Add whole small leaves or torn larger leaves just before serving so they remain fresh and fragrant.
Try basil in salads made with:
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion
- White beans and roasted peppers
- Corn, cherry tomatoes, and avocado
- Peaches, arugula, and goat cheese
- Watermelon, cucumber, and feta
- Pasta, vegetables, and olives
- Potatoes with a lemony vinaigrette
Basil bruises easily, so tear it gently rather than chopping it far in advance.
(9) Finish Eggs with Fresh Basil
Basil adds freshness to nearly every kind of egg dish.
Fold chopped basil into scrambled eggs just before they finish cooking, scatter it over a fried egg, or add it to an omelet with tomatoes and cheese.
It is also delicious in:
- Frittatas
- Quiche
- Egg salad
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Deviled eggs
- Baked eggs with tomatoes
A sprinkle of basil finishing salt is another easy option.
(10) Stir Basil into Sauces, Soups, and Beans
Basil is often added too early and cooked too long. For a fresher flavor, stir it into hot dishes near the end of cooking.
Add torn or chopped basil to:
- Tomato sauce
- Minestrone
- White bean soup
- Lentil soup
- Stewed zucchini
- Ratatouille
- Risotto
- Creamy polenta
- Braised white beans
A spoonful of pesto can also add instant flavor to a bowl of soup or beans.
(11) Pair Basil with Grilled and Roasted Foods
Fresh basil provides a welcome contrast to smoky, caramelized flavors.
Scatter torn basil over grilled zucchini, eggplant, peppers, corn, chicken, fish, or steak. Spoon basil pesto over the top, or serve the food with Lemon-Basil Honey Butter.
For a quick vegetable side dish, roast cherry tomatoes until they begin to burst, then finish them with basil, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
(12) Freeze Basil for Later
When basil is abundant, preserve some before the season ends.
One of the easiest methods is to chop the leaves and freeze them in an ice cube tray with olive oil. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer container.
The cubes can be added directly to:
- Soups
- Sauces
- Beans
- Sautéed vegetables
- Pasta dishes
- Stews
Pesto also freezes well. Spoon it into small containers or ice cube trays so you can thaw only what you need.
Fresh basil leaves generally lose their crisp texture when frozen, but their flavor remains useful in cooked dishes.
A Simple Basil Pesto Formula
Use this flexible formula to make pesto from what you have:
- 2 to 3 cups basil or a mixture of basil and tender greens
- ¼ to ½ cup toasted nuts or seeds
- 1 small garlic clove
- ¼ to ½ cup grated Parmesan or another flavorful cheese
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ to ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pulse the basil, nuts, garlic, cheese, and lemon juice in a food processor. Add the olive oil gradually until the pesto reaches your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust the lemon, salt, and pepper.
Cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil and refrigerate, or freeze in small portions.
Beyond the Tomato
Tomatoes and basil deserve their classic partnership, but they are only the beginning. Basil can be sweet, savory, citrusy, creamy, or peppery depending on what surrounds it.
The next time you bring home a large bunch from the farmers market, divide it among several preparations. Make pesto for dinner, blend a little into finishing salt, infuse a spoonful of honey, and save a few tender leaves for fruit or salad.
One herb can take you in a surprising number of delicious directions.
SEE ALSO: A Guide to Basil Varieties: Sweet, Spicy, Citrusy, and Beyond
