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Basil Pesto

By Florence Fabricant

Updated June 22, 2026

  • A close overhead shot shows a glass bowl of grass-green pesto, with visible flecks of basil and Parmesan.
    Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Media 1 of 2
Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
5(10,431)
Comments
Read 1,089 comments

Pesto is a mouthful of bright summer — basil made more so. You can buy it in a jar or in the refrigerator section of your grocery store, but there is nothing better than making it yourself. Fresh basil can be found in abundance at farmers’ markets in the summer. Just clean, take the stems off and throw the leaves in a food processor with nuts and garlic. Dribble in the oil and you’ve got a versatile sauce for pasta, chicken or fish. Why You Should Trust This Recipe First published in 1986, this essential sauce recipe was created by Florence Fabricant. She began writing for the Times in 1972 and is the author of 12 cookbooks.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 cups

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves (no stems)

  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts)

  • 2 large cloves garlic

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

1 gram carbs; 3 milligrams cholesterol; 87 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 9 grams fat; 55 milligrams sodium; 2 grams protein

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine basil leaves, pine nuts (or walnuts) and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.

    Image of ingredients in food processor for making pesto.
  2. Step 2

    With the machine running, slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.

  3. Step 3

    Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

    Image of adding cheese to a food processor for making pesto.

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