11 Recipes to Make With Bunches of Fresh Basil

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Updated April 25, 2025
Rachel Knecht
Olive Oil Drizzled Onto Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella, and in the Foreground, a Basil Plant

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

I don’t have a garden, but I always have basil growing out on the back deck during summer. When it comes to planting basil, I go with sweet basil (which is what you’ll need for these recipes). Basil isn’t just for summer, though. I can always find both Thai basil and sweet basil at the grocery store all year round. 

When buying basil in the store, look for bright green leaves and green stems. Browning means that the basil is past its prime. If the basil is from your garden, look for undamaged bright green leaves. To harvest it, start at the top of the plant and clip the stem 1/4 inch above where the next cluster starts. 

Speaking of stems, basil stems are edible. Thin, soft stems are more enjoyable to eat, whereas the tough, woody stems are best left out. Just the leaves are called for in these recipes, but feel free to experiment with chopping stems and including them in salads or whirling them along with the leaves in pesto or vinaigrette. 

Once you have your basil, what do you do with it? Have no fear, basil is a versatile herb that complements many different flavors. You’ll find an assortment of mains, sides, salads, and condiments below to use all of your fresh, abundant basil.

  • Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    Basil is used twice in this sandwich: fresh basil leaves and pesto spread on the toasted ciabatta bun. Use beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes when in season.

  • Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella

    Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella Next to a Plate With a Serving, All on a Yellow Placemat

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    A perfectly simple, yet stunning dish that takes only minutes to put together. I like using fresh buffalo mozzarella when I can.

  • No-Cook Tomato Basil Pasta

    Bowl of No Cook Tomato Sauce Pasta with a Fork

    Simply Recipes / Sarah Tane

    When it's hot, this no-cook pasta sauce dish is just what I need. If you have the time, mix all the sauce ingredients together and let them sit in the refrigerator for the fullest flavor.

  • Basil Vinaigrette

    Basil Vinaigrette
    Elise Bauer

    In 10 minutes, you can use a whopping 1/2 cup of basil and turn it into a dreamy vinaigrette. Spoon it over grilled vegetables or toss it in a salad. It keeps up to 7 days so you can use it throughout the week.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below

  • Fried Polenta Panzanella with Tomato, Basil, and Burrata

    Bowl of Fried Polenta Panzanella with Tomato, Basil, and Burrata with a Drink on a Table

    Matt Armendariz

    Store-bought polenta stands in for the bread in this fresh take on panzanella. Make sure to use ripe tomatoes and to salt them to draw out the juices.

  • Mozzarella and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes

    Overhead view of a cast iron skillet with vegetarian stuffed tomatoes with basil leaves scattered over top.
    Kalisa Marie Martin

    Sturdy tomatoes on the vine are the perfect vessel for holding the mozzarella and basil filling. Serve as a vegetarian main or sizzling side dish.

  • Chicken Panzanella Salad

    What is Panzanella? overhead shot of panzanella in white bowl
    Nick Evans

    Make an easy dinner salad with day-old bread and rotisserie chicken in 30 minutes. Tear 1/4 cup basil and sprinkle it on top to finish the salad.

  • Fresh Basil Pesto

    Fresh Basil Pesto
    Elise Bauer

    You'll go through 2 whole cups of basil leaves in this recipe. If you can't use all the pesto within a couple of days, freeze it in ice cube trays and store it in a freezer bag.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below

  • Caprese Corn Salad

    Caprese Corn Salad in a bowl.
    Elise Bauer

    Crank up the grill because this summer salad uses grilled corn instead of raw for a bolder corn flavor. Add up to a full cup of basil and whatever tomatoes you have on hand.

  • Easy Chicken Caprese

    Chicken caprese on a black plate.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    This 30-minute skillet chicken recipe uses only one pan and is loaded with the flavors of a caprese salad—basil, tomato, and mozzarella.

  • Bruschetta With Tomato and Basil

    Close-up, overhead photo of bruschetta with tomato and basil

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    A classic bruschetta, tomato and basil take a starring role in the topping that's spooned generously on top of toastedbread.

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