Making and freezing basil pesto<\/strong> is a great way to preserve the fresh flavors of summer all year long. Three simple freezing methods, plus how to thaw and use it.<\/p>\n I love preparing homemade basil pesto in bulk during the summer when fresh basil can be found in bunches. It\u2019s delicious prepared traditionally with pine nuts, but I also love other versions like my pistachio pesto<\/a>. You can prepare the sauce in just minutes, and it\u2019s also extremely versatile and ideal for freezing. When you\u2019re in need of a quick lunch or dinner, you can take a cube of frozen pesto and transform it in to a delicious meal in minutes such as pesto pasta with salmon<\/a>, pesto chicken pasta with swiss chard<\/a>, or a grilled veggie sandwich with pesto<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll walk you through the classic recipe, three different ways to freeze it, and exactly how to thaw it so it tastes fresh every time.<\/p>\n Step 1. <\/strong>Start making your pesto by toasting your pine nuts. Toss them in the oven at 350 for about 6 or 7 minutes, until nice and brown.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Step 2. <\/strong>While the pine nuts are toasting, you can wash and dry your fresh basil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Step 3. <\/strong>Then pick the basil leaves off of the stems and add to a food processor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Step 4. <\/strong>Followed by the grated parmesan cheese.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Step 5. <\/strong>Then add your garlic cloves and fresh lemon zest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Step 6. <\/strong>Next add your toasted pine nuts, and finish with some salt and pepper before turning on your food processor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Step 7. <\/strong>As your pesto blends, slowly add the olive oil until it arrives at your desired consistency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Step 8. <\/strong>Finish it off with the fresh lemon juice, and you are ready to serve! Or, ready to freeze.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is the question I get asked the most, so let\u2019s cover it properly:<\/p>\n Did you try this method? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag\u00a0@thelemonbowl<\/a>\u00a0and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.<\/p>\n Eat it now, or eat it later, now that you know how to make and freeze basil pesto, you\u2019ll start using it all the time!<\/p>\n Your fork is waiting.<\/p>\n![\"Drizzling](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Putting-pesto-on-pasta-e1754747430278.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nIngredients<\/h2>\n
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Easy Substitutions<\/h2>\n
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how to Make and Freeze Basil Pesto<\/h2>\n
![\"Pine](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Toasted-pine-nuts.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Drying](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Drying-basil.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Adding](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Adding-basil-leaves-to-food-proccessor.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Sprinkling](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Adding-parmesan-cheese-to-food-processor.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Zesting](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Adding-lemon-zest-to-pesto.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Adding](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Adding-pine-nuts-to-pesto.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Drizzling](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/adding-olive-oil-to-pesto.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-to-Make-and-Freeze-Basil-Pesto_21-720x480.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n3 Ways to Freeze Basil Pesto<\/h2>\n
![\"Putting](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Putting-pesto-in-the-freezer.jpg\")
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How to Thaw and Use Frozen Pesto<\/h2>\n
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Recipes with Pesto<\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Basil-pesto-on-pasta.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nEat It, Like It, Share it!<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thelemonbowl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Putting-pesto-on-pasta-e1754747430278-150x150.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow To Make And Freeze Basil Pesto<\/h2>\n