Purple Basil Pesto Recipe

Discover the magic of purple basil with this stunning pesto recipe! Unlike its green counterpart, purple basil delivers a unique, vibrant color and subtly different flavor profile. This recipe, inspired by a farm-fresh find, guides you through creating a pesto that's both beautiful and delicious. A touch of green basil brightens the color, while the rich purple adds a captivating visual appeal to your pasta, sandwiches, or crostini. Make it your own by adjusting the ingredients to your taste!

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 584.8 kcal
Protein 19g
Rating Be the first
Purple Basil Pesto 33

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Purple Basil Pesto

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How to Make Purple Basil Pesto

  1. Combine 2 cups packed purple basil leaves, 1/2 cup packed green basil leaves, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 2 cloves garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor.
  2. Process until finely chopped.
  3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil until a smooth, creamy consistency is reached.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and/or freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  5. Store your vibrant pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

24 g

Sugar

6g

Fat

34g

Carbs

3g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Purple Basil Pesto?

Purple Basil Pesto takes about 25 minutes from start to finish — roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Purple Basil Pesto?

Purple Basil Pesto has approximately 584.8 calories per serving, with about 19 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates and 90 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Purple Basil Pesto?

The key ingredients for Purple Basil Pesto are Whole Almond, Purple Basil, Garlic Cloves, Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. See the full list with measurements above.

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