Easy Homemade Basil Pesto Butter (Two Ways)
Whether you’re spreading it on a slice of bread, tossing it with pasta or mashed potatoes, melting it over corn on the cob, or using it to elevate grilled meats and seafood, this homemade basil pesto butter does it all. And we’ve got you covered with two easy methods for making it, one for that fresh-from-scratch intensified flavor and another for maximum convenience!
Versatile & Flavorful Spread
What makes this basil pesto butter recipe so great is how it seamlessly blends the intense, aromatic flavors of fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts with the rich creaminess of butter. This combination of these simple ingredients results in a flavorful spread that has savory buttery goodness in every bite.
It’s also super versatile, you can use it in countless ways. Spread this delicious flavored butter on bread or crostini, melt it over vegetables, toss it with pasta, or use it to take the taste of your grilled meats and seafood to the next level.
And that’s not all. It’s a quick and convenient way to add complex flavors to your dishes. And we’ve got two easy ways to show you how to make it, one from scratch for maximum fresh flavor and one shortcut method for maximum convenience.
Plus, it’s a kitchen lifesaver – freeze it, and you’ll have a stash ready whenever you need it.
In essence, basil pesto butter is the perfect shortcut to gourmet flavor, making it a beloved condiment for home cooks and chefs alike!
For more delicious recipes featuring pesto check out our easy pesto recipe for classic basil pesto, our easy oven-baked pesto crusted salmon recipe, and our quick pesto butter salmon Milano.
Don’t forget to pin this for later
What Can I Do With Pesto Butter?
Here are some suggestions to get you started on how to use this delicious pesto butter to enhance a variety of dishes:
Garlic Bread: Spread basil pesto butter on slices of bread and toast them in the oven for a delicious twist on garlic bread. Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top for a cheesy version.
Pasta Sauce: Toss cooked pasta with a spoonful of basil pesto butter for a quick and flavorful pasta dish. Add some grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper to finish the dish.
Baked or Mashed Potatoes: Top a hot baked potato with a spoonful of basil pesto butter. Or, one of my favorite ways to use it is to mix some of the creamy butter into hot, mashed potatoes for a twist on traditional mashed potatoes. It adds a savory, herby note to the creamy potatoes. It’s so good!
Grilled Meats and Seafood: Melt a dollop of basil pesto butter over grilled steaks, chicken, or fish. The flavors of the compound butter will infuse into the meat, adding a delightful herby buttery taste.
Roasted or Grilled Vegetables: Top roasted or grilled vegetables, such as corn on the cob, carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, with pesto butter after they come out of the oven or off the grill. The basil butter will melt and coat the vegetables, creating a delicious herb-infused glaze.
Grilled Cheese: Spread basil pesto butter on the inside of bread slices before making a grilled cheese sandwich. It will add a flavorful twist to the classic combination of melted cheese and toasted bread.
Omelets and Scrambled Eggs: Add a pat of basil pesto butter to your omelets or scrambled eggs while cooking for a richer and creamier texture and flavor.
If you are looking for more delicious and versatile spreads and dressings to try be sure to check out our 2-ingredient cranberry mustard recipe and our easy citrus balsamic vinaigrette.
How To Make It From Scratch
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for making homemade basil pesto butter from scratch.
Ingredients
*For the full list of pesto butter ingredients and quantities see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Pine nuts
- Fresh garlic
- Salt
- Fresh lemon juice (optional)
- Unsalted butter
Instructions
Time needed: 15 minutes
- Combine the ingredients
In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Process the ingredients until no whole leaves remain, about 10 seconds.
- Add the butter
Next add the salt, lemon juice, and butter to the pesto mixture.
- Combine the pesto and the butter
Pulse the the pesto and the butter, scraping down the sides as needed. until it is smooth and creamy.
- Store or use
Serve the basil pesto butter immediately or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. And for freezing instructions, see recipe card below.
Shortcut Method
Making basil pesto butter is simple and requires just a couple ingredients via this convenient shortcut method. It’s also a great way to use up leftover pesto!
Ingredients
*For the full list of ingredients and quantities see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
- Unsalted butter
Instructions
Simply mash the pesto and softened butter in a small bowl using a fork until well combined.
That’s it folks! I mean, c’mon, what’s not to love?
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Easy Homemade Basil Pesto Butter (Two Ways)
Equipment
Ingredients
From scratch method
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
Shortcut method
- ¼ cup basil pesto homemade or store bought
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
Instructions
From scratch instructions
- In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic and pulse until finely chopped.
- Then add the lemon juice, salt, and softened unsalted butter and pulse until the ingredients form a smooth and creamy mixture. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor to ensure everything is evenly combined.
- Taste the basil pesto butter and adjust the seasonings according to your liking.
- Serve immediately or store the pesto butter in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Shortcut instructions
- Using a fork, simply mash the pesto and softened butter together in a small mixing bowl until well combined. Alternatively, for the smoothest texture, use a food processor to combine.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Maplevine Kitchen makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
FAQs
A great substitute for pine nuts in pesto is walnuts. Walnuts have a similar nutty flavor and slightly softer texture, making them an excellent alternative in a basic basil pesto recipe. Not only do walnuts offer a delicious taste, but they are also more budget-friendly compared to pine nuts, which can be quite expensive.
What kind of basil is best for pesto?
The best type of basil for pesto is the classic Genovese basil which is a variety of sweet basil known for its large, tender, and aromatic leaves. It has a strong and distinct basil flavor with a sweet and slightly peppery note, making it the perfect choice for creating the traditional and authentic taste of pesto. However, if Genovese basil is not available, you can still make delicious pesto using other types of basil, such as Thai basil or lemon basil, which have their unique flavors that can add an interesting twist to the traditional pesto recipe.
How long does fresh homemade pesto butter last?
Fresh homemade pesto butter can typically last for about 4 to 7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can freeze homemade pesto butter for up to 3 to 4 months. When you want to use frozen pesto butter, simply thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature, and give it a good stir before enjoying its deliciousness once again!
Latest Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback is important to us. Thank you for visiting Maplevine Kitchen!
You measure the basil pesto in the recipe by 1/4 but you don’t say of what. Is it 1/4 cup 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 of volume 1/4 by weight? I make my own basil pesto and that’s what I would like to use but I don’t understand your recipe.
Hi Vickie,
Thank you so much for catching that! I’m sorry for the confusion—I’ve updated the recipe card to clarify that it’s 1/4 cup of basil pesto. I love that you make your own pesto!
I really appreciate you taking the time to point that out, and I hope you enjoy the basil pesto butter! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy cooking!
Allie