Fresh Basil Recipes

Updated June 11, 2008
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Credit: Erin Kunkel Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Slightly sweet basil adds bold flavor to salads, pastas, sauces, and desserts.

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Tomato, Basil, and Fresh Mozzarella Salad

Credit: Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Tomato, Basil, and Fresh Mozzarella Salad Recipe

Ripe juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella are a simple yet traditional Italian summer salad combination. Here the basil is combined with vegetable broth and balsamic vinegar to make a light, oil-free vinaigrette for the salad.

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Lemon Basil Shrimp and Pasta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Lemon Basil Shrimp and Pasta Recipe

As the pasta finishes, shelled shrimp is tossed into the pot to cook. Then, everything is drained, returned to the pot, and drizzled with a quick sauce made from olive oil, lemon, capers and fresh chopped basil. Weeknight dinner doesn't get much faster.

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Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry

Credit: James Carrier

Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry Recipe

This stir fry of chicken and basil can be on the table in less than 10 minutes. While the main dish cooks, make a bag of quick-cooking rice to serve as a side. For added flavor, try Thai basil, with its purplish color and mild anise flavor, in place of regular basil leaves if you like.

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Grilled Tuna with Basil Butter and Fresh Tomato Sauce

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Tuna with Basil Butter and Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe

Two different sauces top this grilled tuna making for a beautiful presentation that looks complicated but is really quite easy. One sauce is a simple mix of chopped basil, butter and lemon. The second is a five minute sauté of cherry tomatoes, garlic and capers.

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Salmon with Basil Sauce

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Salmon with Basil Sauce Recipe

A quick sauce of fresh basil, olive oil, and lemon is puréed and then drizzled over pan sautéed salmon to give it a flavorful glaze that enhances the flavor of the fish. Make a side of fresh veggies and give them a drizzle of the lemon sauce as well.

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Classic Basil Pesto

Credit: Dan Goldberg; Styling: Dan Becker

Classic Basil Pesto Recipe

Toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or dollop it into soup. There's just no end to the versatility of the Italian condiment called pesto. A mixture of fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmesan cheese, this simple spread can be whipped up in 10 minutes.

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Basil-Lemon Granita

Credit: James Carrier

Basil-Lemon Granita Recipe

This light and refreshing Italian dessert ice is a beautiful end to any meal, but the part most cooks love is that it requires just three ingredients. Make it early in the day so the granita has at least six hours to chill.

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Corn Salad With Soybeans, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil

Credit: Courtesy Chronicle Books

Corn Salad With Soybeans, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil Recipe

This simple, tasty salad from Abra Berens' Ruffage is summer in a bowl. Pan-frying the corn kernels enhances their complex sweetness, and adding fresh basil and tomatoes brings in a note of bright acid. 

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Peach-Basil Sauce

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Peach-Basil Sauce Recipe

A culinary gift from our European and Latin American neighbors, sofrito often doubles as a simmering sauce for braised dishes. Our summer spin on this saucy condiment combines ripe summer peaches with sharp fennel and toasty pine nuts, making it the perfect accompaniment to smoky grilled pork chops, flank steak, or shrimp. To help the sauce achieve its delicious jammy consistency, gently crush the peaches with a wooden spoon while cooking.

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Strawberry, Basil, and Balsamic "Slablova"

Credit: Greg DuPree

Strawberry, Basil, and Balsamic "Slablova" Recipe

Inspired by a pavlova-for-a-crowd "slablova" recipe on Food52, we created our own Passover version of the fruit-topped dessert. The meringue slowly bakes to achieve a crackly crust and an irresistibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior texture somewhere between a marshmallow and angel food cake. We like the look of white balsamic in the berry topping, but red balsamic will taste just as delicious (it will just have a darker color). Though potato starch is a common go-to for Passover baked goods, we did not have good success with it here; tapioca starch works better. For a non-Passover occasion, cornstarch or arrowroot starch makes a beautiful pavlova.

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Basil-Ricotta Ravioli with Spinach

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Basil-Ricotta Ravioli with Spinach Recipe

Wonton wrappers are the secret to these seemingly from-scratch pasta pillows. Skip the fancy folds; just make sure to seal the ravioli well. The ravioli fare better with a delicate sauce--here, just a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.

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Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini Recipe

A few special ingredients--like freshly baked ciabatta bread or imported Dijon mustard--make a quick, simple sandwich seem like a treat.

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Silky Tomato-Basil Soup with Fresh Corn

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Silky Tomato-Basil Soup with Fresh Corn Recipe

Silken tofu stands in for traditional heavy cream, lending rich body and a hit of quality protein.

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Basil Pesto

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Basil Pesto Recipe

If you're short on time, reach for a good-quality refrigerated pesto at the supermarket to substitute for this homemade blend. You can also use this pesto to dress up canned soups, spread on pizza, or brush on grilled vegetables.

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Cherry-Basil Lemonade Spritzers

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Cherry-Basil Lemonade Spritzers Recipe

Instead of the fluorescent cocktail-cherry garnish, fresh cherries take center stage in this refreshing lemon-and-vodka sipper. Macerating the cherries in sugar helps to soften their thick skins and release their juices, which become gorgeously syrupy in the pan.

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White Pizza with Tomato and Basil

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

White Pizza with Tomato and Basil Recipe

Heating a cookie sheet in the oven before you put the pie on it gives you a crisper crust for this White Pizza with Tomato and Basil.

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Watermelon-Basil Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Watermelon-Basil Salad Recipe

You can substitute unseasoned rice vinegar or fresh lime juice for the white balsamic, adding a touch of honey if needed. Fresh mint can stand in for the basil.

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Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls Recipe

Canned artichokes give the rich filling its meaty heft. Feel free to sub sautéed 'shrooms or spinach.

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Basil Chicken Meatballs with Ponzu Sauce

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Basil Chicken Meatballs with Ponzu Sauce Recipe

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Tomato, Basil, and Corn Pizza

Credit: Photography: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Tomato, Basil, and Corn Pizza Recipe

A sprinkling of cornmeal keeps the dough from sticking to the pizza stone and gets the bottom of the crust extra crispy. If you don't have a rectangular pizza stone, use a heavy baking sheet instead. Serve with a green side salad for a winning weeknight combination.

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Basil, Blackberry, and Grilled Chicken Salad

Credit: Photography: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Basil, Blackberry, and Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe

When you have a bounty of basil, try using the leaves as part of the "lettuce" in salads.

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Blueberry-Basil Limeade 

Credit: Photographer: Gina DeSimone; Prop stylist: Kashara Johnson; Food Stylist: Briana Riddock

Blueberry-Basil Limeade  Recipe

The vibrant blue-violet color of this refreshing summer sipper is naturally stunning. And the perfect addition to any poolside chill session. Requiring only 4 ingredients (plus water) this limeade is as simple to make as it is beautiful—not to mention, delicious. The tart lime juice is sweetly balanced by juicy blueberries, and fresh basil delivers a refreshing herbaceousness. The addition of the basil just amps up the sophistication of what is normally a down to earth drink. 

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Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo Recipe

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Fire-Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Fire-Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup Recipe

Start with canned fire-roasted tomatoes to give the soup some smoky depth. Serve with sliced toasted sourdough and steamed broccoli from your list.

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Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes Recipe

This super-sophisticated, wow-worthy dessert is a great twist on two separate dishes. It takes some time, but it’s worth it, especially for a special occasion. Poaching tomatoes in simple syrup brings out their fruitier side. Paired with buttery and salty ice cream, you’ve got a smart and different winner. Here, it’s crucial to be gentle with the tomatoes: You’re turning them from a vegetable into a fruit culinary. If you’ve got an overgrown basil plant, use those leaves for the basil syrup; thyme sprigs would also work well here, if you’re looking for something a little different. 

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Blackened Tilapia Tacos with Basil-Lime Mayo

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Blackened Tilapia Tacos with Basil-Lime Mayo Recipe

Firm tilapia can stand up to the simple yet robust spice rub here. Double the basil-mayo mixture and use as a veggie dip or sandwich spread for lunch.

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Blackened Tilapia Tacos with Basil-Lime Mayo

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Blackened Tilapia Tacos with Basil-Lime Mayo Recipe

Firm tilapia can stand up to the simple yet robust spice rub here. Double the basil-mayo mixture and use as a veggie dip or sandwich spread for lunch.

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Lime and Basil Chimichurri

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Lime and Basil Chimichurri Recipe

Recipe by Amanda Haas, culinary director of Williams-Sonoma and author of The Anti-Inflammation Cookbook (Chronicle Books, 2016). This Argentine-style herb sauce, says Amanda, "is like an obsession for me. I love the vibrant color and how versatile it is--you can take whatever herbs you have in the fridge and throw them in."

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Chicken and Rice Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger and Basil

Credit: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Chicken and Rice Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger and Basil Recipe

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Salmon Ceviche with Coconut and Basil

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Salmon Ceviche with Coconut and Basil Recipe

Be sure to purchase your salmon for this recipe from a trusted purveyor; incredibly fresh seafood is an absolute must for ceviche. This dynamic take on the classic Latin American dish (which involves marinating raw fish in citrus juice for a few hours in order to "cook" it) makes for a stunning presentation with the wild salmon's vibrant pink color, accented by dots of red caviar. Be sure that you use unsweetened culinary coconut milk (the shelf stable kind you can often find shelved with other canned milks)  in this elegant ceviche, as sweetened coconut milk would easily overpower the dish. 

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Tomato and Peach Flatbreads with Basil

Credit: Erin Kunkel Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Tomato and Peach Flatbreads with Basil Recipe

Grill the naan just until warmed through so the peaches and tomatoes stay juicy.

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