Garden Fresh Basil Oil – How to Make Your Own
When summer’s produce is taking over the land, this garden fresh basil oil is a great way to use up the bounty! Easy to make and full of summer’s green goodness, this recipe will become an annual tradition.
Use basil oil as a dipping oil with bread, or as a way to add some flavor to your favorite fish or pasta. You’ll find more uses for the basil oil after you’ve tasted it and fallen in love.
Our garden has provided us with almost more basil than we can rightfully use. I say “almost” because I’m not sure there is such a thing as too much basil!
I only have a single sweet basil plant, and this summer it has gone into over drive producing those yummy leaves!
I like to add some snipped basil to fresh salads and on top of pizza or pasta. I think my favorite basil recipe is making a simple salad with fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
This morning’s harvest filled a huge colander with leaves and stems. It was more than I was going to be able to use in a salad!
I needed to find a recipe that would allow me to preserve some of the basil for use later on, like when winter has a hold on us. The obvious solution is pesto – but guess what, I didn’t have any nuts or fresh Parmesan cheese. And I didn’t want to run to the grocery.
So after a little searching, I found the answer: Fresh Garden Basil Oil.
Easy to make and stores for months in the freezer. Ta-Daa!
Make It a Meal:
This garden fresh basil oil can be used to dress your favorite pasta. Add some vinegar and use as a salad dressing. Drizzle over grilled chicken or fish.
 
 
 
Roasted chicken, coffee rubbed pork, green bean salad or garden bounty salads would all benefit from a bit of this garden fresh basil oil.
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When summer evenings are too hot for cooking, I like to put together a snack tray that includes cheese, meat and veggies with a bit of bread on the side. This basil oil is perfect for adding some flavor when used for dipping.
Storage:
Basil oil keeps well on the kitchen counter if you’re going to be using it within a couple of hours. I store it in the refrigerator for use during the week. It also freezes and can be stored for use up to 9 months.
I placed my garden fresh basil oil in canning jars for storage and added a label with the name of the contents and the month/year made. This will make a great gift item for somebody.
Fresh Garden Basil Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
Basil and Olive oil
Recipe Directions:
Pick the basil, blanch in boiling water. Chill the leaves and dry before adding to blender with out. Pulse.
Garden Fresh Basil Oil
A simple and delicious way to save summer's fresh basil for use later in the year.
Ingredients
- 4 cup Basil
- 2 cup Olive Oil
- 4 quart Water divided in half
- 24 Ice Cubes
Instructions
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Collect fresh basil leaves from the garden or purchase at your farmer's market or grocer.
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Blanch leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds.
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Chill leaves in ice water after removing from the boiling water.
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Pat dry using paper towels.
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Place basil leaves in blender with olive oil. (a food processor works as well)
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Whirl in the blender on "pulse" setting until leaves are minced.
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Serve with bread as a dipping oil. You may want to sprinkle with salt to taste.
Step by step process photos:
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 16, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217, Fat: 25g, Cholesterol: 0g, Sodium: 0mg, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g
(please remember these are approximate and will vary slightly based on your ingredient selections.)
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Oh man, I am for sure having an herb garden next year. What a great way to enjoy and use all the garden fresh basil. This looks amazing.
You know, if you can’t manage a whole garden, basil does well in a pot. You could just put that on your deck/patio and reap the rewards.
We love our basil and making pesto. This year we don’t have any herbs — unfortunately since we moved but we’re hoping for next year. There’s nothing like homemade oils made from fresh herbs.
Pesto is my next basil project! This was only my second year to have basil in the garden. It’s going to be a regular thing from now on!
I make pesto often my basil was horrible this year too hot here apparently. Cant wait to make this again next year. Nothing better!
Claudia,
I’ve heard so many people struggling this summer with either drought or flooding. I was lucky that my garden went crazy. Wish I could send you some basil.
You have garden fresh basil. How lucky!! I love basil but we only get it from the super. It has a real shot life so I often make pesto and save it in the fridge. This sounds so fresh. Next time I’m going to make some basil oil.
We’ve had a good year for the garden at my house. I’m so excited about this basil … and my tomato plant is a giant! Now if only the tomatoes would turn red!
There is absolutely no such thing as too much basil! I make pesto all the time, but have never tried aoili. Will definitely need to make this one soon.
Karyl, may I quote you to my husband>! I want to plant more basil next year and he’s doubtful! LOL
You’ll love how simple this recipe is.
I’m always looking for ways to use up fresh basil. There is no thing as too many basil recipes. This is going into my basil recipe collection!
You’re welcome Jo! I agree that a person can’t have too many recipes! LOL
I never new Basil Oil was so easy to make. Thank you for enlightening me. I basil plants but just usually chop up the basil for pasta dishes. Can’t wait to try this
I love fresh, chopped basil in pasta and salads!!
Basil is one of my favorite herbs, I have some it’s a staple in my kitchen. My daughter likes to use it on her pizza. A drizzle of this basil oil would be a nice finish to pizza.
You’re right! Drizzle a bit of this over pizza … mmm, mmm.
There is nothing better than the smell of fresh basil. This oil looks like something my family and I would love, going to have to make this one for sure!
Isn’t basil one of the best aromas?! My husband walked in the house and asked “Are you using basil?”
I too have too much basil in my kitchen garden. Not fond of pesto either. I like your idea of making flavor rich fresh basil oil. I am going to try it.
I’m not sure there’s such a thing as too much basil, but I know what you mean! Let me know how you like this oil.
This is genius! I have been making all the pestos with my greens this summer, this oil will make a nice (and yummy) alternative! Love that it can be stored in the freezer as well.
I made some pesto, too. (coming soon) but this was such a much simpler recipe and process… I think this is what I’ll do from now on.
Basil is such a fragrant and amazing herb. I never tried this basil oil. But now I can’t wait to pair it with something. Looks delicious. I love the color.
Isn’t this color amazing! I can’t wait to pull it out of the freezer in January when everything is brown and white and cold … we’ll have a taste of summer!