Summertime is the perfect opportunity to cook with fresh basil in the kitchen! Ree Drummond herself considers basil to be one of her favorite herbs. "I've been known to 'accidentally' over-plant basil in the summer, so we end up overrun with it by mid-July," she says of her basil garden, but acquiesces that, "it's a great problem to have!" Not only does Ree use basil in many of her Caprese-inspired dishes, but it's also the star ingredient in one of her favorite year-round sauces: pesto! "I make a bunch from fresh basil and freeze it in ice cube trays. Then, you just plunk the cubes into soups or sauces," Ree explains. Of course, this list of basil recipes includes plenty of ideas for pesto, but it also shows you tons of other ways to use fresh basil!
From summer salads and BBQ sides to main courses and colorful cocktails, this list of basil recipes proves just how versatile the little herb can be in your cooking. Pair fresh basil with juicy summer tomatoes or mix it in to a lusciously creamy sauce for chicken. It also makes a delicious addition to creamed corn and Caprese pasta salad. Whether you're growing basil or just picking up a bunch from the store, there are so many basil recipes to choose from! Just be sure to read up on how to store fresh herbs.
Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Using fresh basil to finish a Caprese-style filling of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. These mushrooms feel fresh, light, and a little more special than a standard stuffed vegetable.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto puts the flavor of basil front and center! Tossed with peas, pasta, prosciutto, cheese, and a lot of lemony flavor, it’s bright, herby, and the kind of dish that works just as well for a weeknight side as it does for a spring gathering.
Get Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken
This one-pan dinner turns basil into more than just a garnish—it’s what gives the whole dish its fresh, summery Caprese flavor. Scattered over roasted chicken with burst tomatoes, melted mozzarella, and balsamic glaze, the herb adds a bright finish.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken recipe.
Caprese Salad
A classic Caprese salad is one of the best ways to show off fresh basil—just ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, balsamic reduction, and basil layered together. It makes for a fragrant bite that tastes like summer in its simplest form.
Get Ree’s Caprese Salad recipe.
Melon Feta Skewers
Here’s a summery snack featuring basil! The basil is layered between the fruit and cheese, adding a fresh, aromatic layer that sharpens the sweet melon and salty feta.
Get Ree’s Melon Feta Skewers recipe.
Fried Green Tomato Caprese
What makes fried green tomatoes and creamy mozzarella better? Try a garnish of basil. It’s a Southern-meets-Italian twist that feels a little more unexpected.
Get Ree’s Fried Green Tomato Caprese recipe.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
Every forkful of this pasta will feel so fresh thanks to basil. It cuts through the heaviness of everything else on the plate, including chicken and melted mozzarella.
Get Ree’s Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe.
Caprese Chicken
Yes, a little herb can completely change the feel of a simple skillet dinner! Scattered over chicken with tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic, it brings a fresh lift.
Get Ree’s Caprese Chicken recipe.
Caprese Frittata
Fold that fresh flavor into a dish that’s part brunch, part light dinner. The summery herb weaves through fluffy eggs, tomatoes, and mozzarella instead of sitting on top as a garnish.
Get Ree’s Caprese Frittata recipe.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Want a more unexpected basil recipe? Use the herb to add freshness and color to a rich, creamy curry sauce. That final hit of basil helps balance the warmth of the spices and keeps the shrimp dish tasting bright instead of heavy.
Get Ree’s Coconut Shrimp Curry recipe.
Caprese Pasta Salad
The classic combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil combines with pasta and white balsamic vinaigrette for this flavorful side. It's perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or picnics in the park!
Get the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.
Homemade Pesto
This homemade pesto is a breeze to whip up in just 15 minutes! And it's the perfect flavor-booster to have on hand for pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and so much more.
Get the Homemade Pesto recipe.
Creamed Corn
There's just something so summery about the combination of sweet corn and herby basil. It's even better when the ingredients are all fresh!
Get the Creamed Corn recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
Part dip and part salad—this creative recipe is sure to become a new favorite! It gets its color and flavor from a creamy green goddess dressing made with basil, spinach, parsley, avocado, and parmesan cheese.
Pesto Caprese Panini
Store-bought basil pesto works just fine for this quick and easy lunch. Then again, homemade pesto is what Ree says "makes life worth living!"
Get Ree's Pesto Caprese Panini recipe.
Blueberry-Basil Limeade
This summertime mocktail has all the fresh flavors of the season: sweet blueberries, bright citrus, and herbaceous basil. Not to mention it's totally refreshing!
Get Ree's Blueberry-Basil Limeade recipe.
Rigatoni with Pesto Cream Sauce
Fresh pesto, heavy cream, and butter make this the most scrumptious pasta recipe we ever did see. The best part? You can serve it hot for dinner or cold as a pasta salad at your next BBQ.
Get Ree's Rigatoni with Pesto Cream Sauce recipe.
Chickpea Salad
Fresh basil adds a pop of flavor to this easy side salad. If you're making it ahead for a potluck, just be sure to leave the basil off until just before serving so it stays bright and green.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
If a quick and easy dinner is what you're after, this flavorful recipe made with homemade basil pesto, shrimp, and veggies is what you need. It's ready in less than 30 minutes!
Get Ree's Shrimp Pesto Pasta recipe.
Peaches and Cream Shortcake with Basil
Basil and peaches are the surprising duo you never knew you needed! And when served with tender shortcakes and fresh whipped cream, it's the ultimate summer dessert.
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