From crisp salads and grilled mains to light desserts and drinks, these basil recipes put the summery, green herb in the spotlight.
48 Basil Recipes to Celebrate Summer’s Freshest Herb
Shrimp and Corn Salad
Pesto
Caprese Salad
Bella Basil Raspberry Tea
Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata
Mango Chicken Thighs with Basil-Coconut Sauce
Peanut Butter, Chicken and Basil Sandwich
Sue’s Spicy Tomato Basil Tortellini
Basil Tomato Tart
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Nectarine, Basil and Clementine Infused Water
Grilled Bruschetta
Meat Lover's Pizza Rice Skillet
BLT Quinoa Bowls
Italian Cloud Eggs
Chicken Pesto Meatballs
Orzo with Parmesan & Basil
Marinated Tomatoes
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Caprese Pasta Salad
Lemon Basil Salmon
Lemon Chicken Orzo
Caprese Skewers
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
Tomato Focaccia
Peach-Basil Lemonade Slush
Eggplant Parmesan
Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas
Chicken Caprese
Parsley Pesto
Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone
Feta Tomato-Basil Fish
Balsamic Chicken
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes
Apricots with Herbed Goat Cheese
Basil Citrus Cocktail
Chicken Florentine Casserole
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing
Spicy Shrimp Orzo with Lemon and Basil
Basil Chicken with Smoked Tomato Jam
Peach Mango Caprese Salad
Pine Nut and Basil Guacamole
Cinnamon-Basil Ice Cream
Basil Chicken Spirals with Mango Salsa
Lime Basil Pie
Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
Eggplant Sandwich
Basil Recipes FAQ
What can I make with fresh basil?
Fresh basil leaves can be blended into a sauce, like pesto, layered into a caprese salad or chopped and sprinkled over pasta dishes, grilled vegetable salads or casseroles. For a flavor twist, mix finely chopped basil into your favorite vinaigrette or drop a few leaves into a pitcher of iced tea. If you need a new, summery drink for company, add basil to lemonade cocktails or muddle it into a refreshing mojito.
How do I store fresh basil to keep it fresh longer?
To keep it bright and perky, store fresh basil similar to a bouquet of flowers. Trim the ends, place it in a jar of water at room temperature and loosely cover the bunch with a plastic bag. Basil wilts quickly in cold temperatures, so skip the fridge if possible. Wash and dry the leaves right before using so they don’t turn brown or become limp. If you won’t be able to use all your fresh basil, freeze the leaves and drop them right into soups and stews from frozen.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil in recipes?
You can use dried basil instead of fresh basil in some recipes, but the flavor of the dish will be different. Dried basil is earthy with a muted flavor compared to fresh leaves, so it’s better in soups, sauces or cooked dishes where it adds background flavor. If a recipe needs the freshness and green color of basil, mix chopped parsley and dried basil together. For best results, use our standard fresh to dried herb conversion, which is one part dried herbs for every three parts fresh.















































