16 Fresh Basil Recipes

Summer recipes using fresh basil

Basil is one of the most versatile herbs around. The most common type is sweet basil. With a sweet, peppery, and slightly minty taste, it brightens up many meals. You don’t need a huge garden space for it to grow and come warmer weather it bursts with leaves. We’ve found an assortment of recipes that feature fresh basil. From pesto to pasta, chicken to cookies, there’s a fresh basil recipe to suit everyone.

Basil Lemon Pasta Salad

“Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing alternative to classic pasta salads. It’s full of fresh flavor and is made in minutes with a few simple ingredients.” – Julie

Slow Roasted Tomato Basil Linguine With Toasted Pine Nuts

“This slow roasted tomato and basil pasta with pine nuts will help you use up late summer tomatoes and basil for a simple and delicious dinner!” – Marisa

Honey Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken

“Grilled chicken is the perfect meal for summer! Add a simple marinade of the best flavors, and you’ll be making this Honey Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken all summer long! It is a healthy and easy chicken recipe your whole family will enjoy!” – Carrian and Cade

Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

“A quick and easy recipe for Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce! If you love cod fish recipes, try this flavorful dish for dinner tonight! So good with rice or zoodles!” – Ashley

Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad

“Made with garden-fresh tomatoes, spicy red onions, delicious sweet basil, and an easy three ingredient balsamic dressing, this Tomato Basil Salad takes just 10 minutes to prepare start to finish. Enjoy this gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb Tomato Basil Salad as a light lunch or delicious side to all your favorite main courses.” – Jessica

Easy Italian Baked Chicken Recipe

“We can never have too many delicious and quick chicken recipes, can we?! You’ll love this healthy, juicy Italian Baked Chicken Recipe. Boneless skinless chicken breasts prepared with a simple spice mixture, garlic and olive oil, and finished with fresh parsley and basil!” – Suzy

Basic Garlic Aioli

“Basil Garlic Aioli sauce made from scratch only takes a few minutes to make and the result is a flavorful dip or spread that packs a real raw garlic punch.” – Krissy

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

“This creamy Tomato Basil Soup is loaded with hidden vegetables and is restaurant-quality DELICIOUS! You can make it on the stove, slow cooker or in the Instant Pot.” – Lauren

Tomato Basil Pasta

“Tomato Basil Pasta is a quick and easy recipe made with tender penne pasta and juicy grape tomatoes. Perfect for lunch or dinner and ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a delicious meal that the whole family will love.” – Kristin

Basil Pesto Chicken Alfredo

“Basil pesto is a great shortcut ingredient to use. It’s packed with flavor, and I knew using it as a little marinade and putting it in the pasta would make a great dish! It’s a winner winner chicken dinner folks!” – Jaren

Quick and Easy Nut Free Pesto Sauce

“Nut-free pesto is a recipe you are going to want to save so you can use over and over again. It will go well with many of your other dishes, and it tastes phenomenal. I even give you tips on how to make it dairy-free too! This is wonderful for dinner parties or just a night at home.” – Sandi

Lemon Basil Sugar Cookies

“I love sugar cookies. We baked these Lemon Basil Sugar Cookies on a whim to see how they turned out, and I will openly admit that they are my new favorite food!” – Albion

Garlic Basil Chicken With Tomato Butter Sauce

“Garlic Basil Chicken with Tomato Butter Sauce? This real food recipe only requires 7 simple ingredients: chicken, pasta, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, basil, butter. SO good.” – Lindsay

Strawberry Basil Dressing

“I’ve always loved a big salad loaded with plenty of incredible ingredients. A little olive oil and vinegar drizzled on top and I’m a happy camper. Then of course sometimes I want a spectacular dressing. This Strawberry Basil Dressing most definitely qualifies. It is spectacular. Really. I am tempted to guzzle it straight from the bottle. But I don’t. Because restraint, y’all.” – Christina

Fresh Corn and Basil Cakes

“What could be better than fresh corn and sweet basil made into the perfect side dish for your next meal. These Corn and Basil Cakes will have you wishing you doubled the recipe.” – Cathy

Basil Mayonnaise

“Basil Mayonnaise is a perfect way to add extra flavor to any sandwich or wrap. This easy to make spread is made with just two simple ingredients – fresh basil and mayonnaise.” – Kathy