Basil is a versatile herb that is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Its sweet yet slightly peppery flavor makes it an excellent seasoning for a variety of dishes.
Pasta Dishes
One of the most common uses for basil is in Italian pasta dishes. Fresh basil leaves tossed with hot pasta really bring out the herby, aromatic flavors. Some classic pasta dishes that pair well with basil include:
- Pesto – This famous Genovese sauce is made primarily from basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan. It’s delicious tossed with any type of pasta.
- Tomato sauce – Add some torn basil leaves at the end for a fresh touch.
- Meatballs and sausage – Basil helps cut through the richness.
- Caprese pasta – Toss hot pasta with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.
You can also add whole basil leaves as a garnish on top of any pasta dish for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Pizza
The herby flavor of basil is a perfect complement to the acidic tomatoes and creamy mozzarella on pizza. Options include:
- Margherita pizza – This classic Neapolitan pizza features tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
- Pesto pizza – Spread pesto sauce over the dough before adding toppings.
- Caprese pizza – Top with mozzarella, tomatoes, and whole basil leaves.
- Sausage and basil pizza – The basil offsets the richness of the sausage.
Tear some fresh basil over your pizza right when it comes out of the oven for maximum flavor.
Tomato Dishes
Sweet basil and rich, acidic tomatoes are a match made in heaven. Basil brightens up any dish featuring tomatoes, such as:
- Caprese salad – Alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic reduction.
- BLT sandwich – Add some whole basil leaves for a flavor boost.
- Bruschetta – Top toasted bread with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil.
- Tomato soup – Stir in chopped basil just before serving.
- Tomato sauce – Add basil at the end for a fresh taste.
Salads
Fresh basil pairs nicely with the wide range of ingredients found in salads. Consider adding basil to:
- Garden salads – Use whole leaves or torn up ones.
- Greek salad – Along with mint, it complements the feta, olives, and cucumber.
- Panzanella – A great match for this bread and tomato-based salad.
- Fruit salads – Basil nicely counters the sweetness.
- Caprese salad – As mentioned above!
The options for basil in salads are endless. It works with greens, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats, and more.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Basil can add a flavor punch to your favorite sandwiches and wraps, such as:
- BLT sandwich
- Caprese sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, and basil
- Roast beef with basil mayo or pesto
- Grilled chicken basil wrap
- Vegetable focaccia with roasted veggies and basil
Mix up your normal sandwich routine by adding some basil leaves or pesto spread.
Eggs
If you love eggs for breakfast, basil can be a great addition. Ways to use it include:
- Scrambled eggs – Add chopped basil at the end.
- Frittatas – Mix basil into the egg mixture before cooking.
- Egg salad – Chopped basil gives it a fresh herby flavor.
- Omelets – Delicious with basil and tomato omelets.
- Deviled eggs – Stir a little pesto into the yolk mixture before stuffing the eggs.
The next time you’re whipping up eggs, reach for the basil to elevate them to the next level.
Soups
Bright basil is ideal for seasoning up soups, adding a pop of flavor. It’s great in:
- Minestrone
- Tomato soup
- Tortellini soup
- Vegetable soup
- Chicken noodle soup
Stir in several chopped basil leaves at the end for a fresh finish.
Seafood
Basil works nicely with the flavors of seafood. Try adding it to:
- Shrimp scampi
- Grilled salmon
- Fish tacos
- Crab cakes
- Seafood pasta
The basil pairs well with the briny taste of many types of fish and shellfish. Use whole leaves or chopped basil.
Meat Dishes
In addition to sausage and meatballs, basil can enhance other meat main dishes like:
- Chicken – Rub chicken breasts with basil pesto before grilling.
- Steak – Add a sprinkle of chopped basil to steakhouse-style butter.
- Lamb – Mix basil into a coating or marinade.
- Pork chops – Brush with an oil and basil mixture before cooking.
- Meatloaf – Blend basil and garlic into the meat mixture.
Basil helps counter the richness of fattier meats like lamb and pork.
Vegetable Dishes
Don’t forget about using basil in vegetable side dishes and mains:
- Ratatouille – It adds flavor to this Mediterranean vegetable stew.
- Roasted vegetables – Toss vegetables like zucchini and squash with olive oil and basil.
- Eggplant Parmesan – Layer basil leaves between the breaded eggplant slices.
- Stuffed peppers – Mix basil into the rice stuffing mixture.
- Zucchini boats – Top with chopped basil after baking.
Basil pairs very well with veggies like tomatoes, onions, eggplant, and zucchini.
Dips and Sauces
Stir chopped basil into any number of dips, spreads, and sauces:
- Pesto
- Hummus
- Baba ganoush
- Guacamole
- Yogurt dips
- Mayonnaise and aioli
- Marinara sauce
The options are endless for infusing basil flavor into dips, dressings, and condiments.
Cocktails
Basil adds a refreshing twist to many cocktails. Popular options include:
- Basil gimlet – Basil-infused gin and lime juice.
- Mojito – Muddle basil with rum, lime, sugar, and soda water.
- Basil lemonade – Add basil simple syrup to lemonade.
- Basil margarita – Use basil simple syrup in place of triple sec.
- Basil martini – Shake basil leaves with gin or vodka.
Play around with basil cocktails for unique summer drinks!
Baked Goods
Believe it or not, basil can enhance both savory and sweet baked goods:
- Savory – Focaccia, scones, biscuits, flatbread
- Sweet – Shortbread cookies, ice cream, panna cotta, macarons
Chop or fold whole basil leaves into doughs or batters for herby flavor in baked items.
Pairing Basil with Other Ingredients
Here are some classic flavor combinations that allow basil’s unique taste to shine:
| Ingredient | Why it Works |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | The sweetness and acidity of tomatoes balances the peppery taste of basil. |
| Mozzarella | The creamy texture and mild flavor complement basil’s boldness. |
| Pine nuts | These nuts add nuttiness and crunch that pairs well with basil. |
| Garlic | Garlic’s pungency stands up to basil’s strong aroma and taste. |
| Balsamic vinegar | The sweet acidity helps bring out basil’s flavor. |
| Peaches | The fruitiness of peaches balances out the herbaceous notes. |
| Mint | The coolness of mint offsets the spice of basil. |
Experiment with these combinations or come up with your own to find out just how versatile basil can be!
How to Select and Store Basil
Follow these tips for selecting fresh basil and keeping it fresh:
- Look for vibrant green leaves without wilting or black spots.
- Smaller leaves will be more tender and flavorful.
- Refrigerate basil loosely wrapped in plastic for up to 4 days.
- Store dried basil in an airtight container away from light.
- Freeze chopped basil in ice cube trays covered with olive oil or broth.
Dried vs. Fresh Basil
You can use either dried or fresh basil in cooking. Here’s how they compare:
| Dried Basil | Fresh Basil | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | More concentrated flavor | Sweet, bright, peppery flavor |
| Texture | Brittle | Soft, delicate |
| Usage | Better for long cooking like stews and braises | Great raw and added at end of cooking |
| Substitution | 1 teaspoon dried for every 1 tablespoon fresh | Cannot be substituted for dried |
| Price | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Storage | Lasts 1-2 years stored properly | Lasts about 1 week stored properly |
Growing Basil
If you want unlimited access to fresh basil, consider growing it yourself!
- Plant from seed or buy starter plants after the last spring frost.
- Basil needs full sun and warm temperatures around 70°F.
- Plant in well-draining soil and water when the top inch becomes dry.
- Pinch off flower buds to encourage more leaf growth.
- Harvest by cutting stems above a leaf node.
- Dry or freeze any excess harvested basil.
With minimal care, you can have mounds of tasty basil from your backyard or patio containers.
Fun Basil Facts
- There are over 60 varieties of basil, like lemon basil, Thai basil, and holy basil.
- Basil is originally native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific.
- The word “basil” comes from the Greek word meaning “king,” referencing its royal stature in cuisines.
- Ancient Greek and Roman cultures thought basil promoted love and fertility.
- Sweet basil is the most common type used for cooking.
- Purple basil has a spicier, clove-like flavor good for Asian dishes.
- Large-leaf Genovese basil is the variety favored for making pesto.
Conclusion
With its robust yet nuanced aroma and flavor, basil brightens up dishes throughout the culinary world. It is versatile enough to use in everything from pasta, pizza, salads, and sandwiches to meat, seafood, eggs, veggies, baked goods, and cocktails. Basil especially shines when paired with ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, and garlic.
To get the best basil flavor, opt for fresh over dried and look for vibrant green leaves without blemishes. Handle basil gently and add it at the end of cooking or as a raw garnish for maximum freshness. And consider growing your own supply so you always have this delightful herb on hand!