10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil

Pick up a bunch (or two!) of this fragrant herb while it’s in season. The toughest part is deciding how you’ll want to use it—there are just so many good ways.

By: Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

Pick up a bunch (or two!) of this fragrant herb while it's in season. And don't worry about how you'll manage to use it all—there are just so many delicious ways.

Pesto

Go the traditional route and whip up a mean pesto sauce. Use as a condiment or as a sauce for fish or pasta dishes.

Photo by: Seksak Kerdkanno/ EyeEm/Getty Images

Seksak Kerdkanno/ EyeEm/Getty Images

Infused Oil

Infuse your favorite olive oil with basil. It only takes a few minutes!

Basil Oil

TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL BRUSCHETTA, Giada De Laurentiis, EverydayItalian/Cocktail Party, Food Network, Whole Tomatoes, Basil, Olive Oil, Garlic, Baguettes,Mozzarella

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

Appetizers

Having a few guests over? Whip up simple finger foods using fresh basil leaves.

Vegetable Soups

Whip up a batch of a summer veggie soup--add ribbons of chopped basil for more seasonal flair.

Salads

Basil pairs nicely with a wide variety of seasonal veggies. Just chop and toss into your favorite salad.

Pizza

Toss whole basil leaves on your favorite pizza when it's hot out of the oven. Delicious!

FNK_ThaiShrimpStirFryWithTomatoesAndBasil_H

Food Network Kitchen's Thai Shrimp Stir-fry with Tomatoes and Basil for LESSONS FROM GRANDMA/MICROWAVE VEGGIES/CHICKEN SOUP, as seen on Food Network

Fish & Seafood Dishes

Tomato and basil are a match made in seafood heaven. Combine with shrimp or halibut for a delicious main dish.

Sides

Use aromatic basil to punch up your everyday sides.

Frozen Desserts

Basil also goes well with fruit like watermelon, lime, lemon, mango and strawberries. Combine for variety of mouthwatering frozen treats.

Jason Clairy, Clairy Productions Inc.

Cocktails

Don't forget your cocktails! Muddle basil into lemon or berry-based drinks to balance out the sweetness.

What to Look For

At the market, choose basil with bright green leaves and avoid those with black, brown or yellow spots.

How to Store

Once you get home, place the cut stems in a container of water and keep it on the windowsill for about a week. The water should be changed every other day. You can also store basil wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator drawer for up to 4 days.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition.