Basil, the ultimate herb of summer, is the star in this collection of 35+ recipes, with a dish for every occasion and mood! While many immediately think of the classic Caprese salad when they hear βbasil,β this versatile herb can do so much more. Basil pairs beautifully with a wide range of ingredients, including tomatoes, garlic, lemon, and even strawberries.
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Basil is incredibly versatile and it enhances many dishes, from aromatic pestos and vibrant Thai food to refreshing basil lemonade, delightful pineapple sorbet, and comforting tomato soup.
So, if you have basil to use up from your garden or are simply in the mood for that fresh basil flavor, dive into these delicious recipes and enjoy!
Not sure where to start? Two of my favourite basil recipes are my peppery Arugula & Basil Pesto and Thai Beef Stir Fry with Basil.
Basil Recipes
30-Minute Thai Beef Stir Fry with Basil & Chiles will be on your dinner table in a hurry. Serve it over rice for a wholesome meal that will bring some excitement to your weeknight cooking routine.Β
Thai Beef Stir Fry
Arugula Pesto has peppery kick from the arugula and is flavored with parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest & pine nuts. Use this pesto to dress up a sandwich, stir it intoΒ hummusΒ orΒ ranch, or toss it with a bowl of freshly cooked pasta.
Arugula & Basil Pesto
This Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Basil Tahini Sauce will seriously knock your socks off. Who knew that veggies could taste so good! Warning: You will want this sauce on everythingβ¦Β
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Basil Tahini Sauce
Pad Kee Mao, also known as Drunken Noodles, is a traditional Thai dish with ground pork, wide rice noodles and plenty of fresh basil. Doused in a sauce typical of Thai cuisine which is perfectly balanced with heat, tanginess and sweetness β coming from Thai chiles,Β rice wine vinegar and sweet soy sauce.
Pork Drunken Noodles
Make this 15-minute Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce to instantly transform your pasta, chicken, or seafood into a gourmet meal! Itβs luxurious and easy to make with cream, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Creamy Gnocchi is an irresistible Tuscan-inspired dish that tosses pillowy-soft potato gnocchi in a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce. Itβs Italian comfort food at its best!
Creamy Gnocchi
Pepperonata is a classic Italian sauce made from bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatics. Itβs easy to make in one skillet and has mouthwatering flavors, making it a wonderful pairing for sandwiches, pizzas, omelets, pasta, grilled meats, and more!
Pepperonata
A bright and fresh basil vinaigrette can serve as dressing, sauce, or marinade. Youβre minutes away from a flavorful meal anytime you add a drizzle of this easy-to-make dressing.Recipe: The Modern Proper
Basil Vinaigrette
Tender chicken, broccoli florets, jasmine rice and fresh basil come together to make a Thai fried rice with basil thatβs even better than the one your favorite restaurant makes.Recipe: The Modern Proper
Thai Fried Rice with Basil
Combining a creamy egg base with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, a shaving of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and onions caramelized to perfection, this is the be-all end-all of quiche recipes.Recipe: The Modern Proper
Tomato and Basil Quiche
ThisΒ creamy tomato basil chickenΒ recipe has tender chicken and plenty of garlic in a delicious fresh tomato and basil cream sauce.Recipe: Salt and Lavender
Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
This vegetarian breakfast is a spin on the classic eggs Benedict with a fresh summer twist. Toasted English muffins are topped with melted fresh mozzarella cheese, marinated cherry tomatoes, poached eggs and basil hollandaise.Recipe: Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Caprese Eggs Benedict with Basil Hollandaise
This Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad is a flavor explosion! Perfect for summer picnics or as a side dish for your next BBQ.Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Weeknight dinner made simple with this 20-Minute Basil Cashew Chicken! Tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and fresh basil β a winning combo!Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken
Try out our amazing variation of basil hummus which is lusciously creamy, smooth, and bright with the flavors of fresh basil, lemon juice to add sourness, and olive oil to blend the texture and flavors well. Use this delicious hummus for dipping chips or pitas, as a base for wraps, toast, sandwiches, or salad, or toss it on top of pasta.Recipe: Healthier Steps
Basil Hummus
ThisΒ Orzo Caprese SaladΒ is a delicious twist on a classic caprese salad! Cooked orzo pasta is combined with juicy tomatoes, cucumber, and creamy mozzarella. Ready on the table in less than 30 minutes! Serve it for lunch, light dinner, or as a side dish.Recipe: The Healthful Ideas
Orzo Caprese Salad
Here's a refreshing drink to quench your thirst on a hot summer day. This delicious and easy-to-make basil lemonade is a lovely combination of sweet and tangy, while basil adds beautiful aromatic qualities.Β Recipe: My Chef's Apron
Honeydew Melon and Basil Lemonade
This avocado green goddess dressing is creamy, garlicky, and just a bit spicy. It's super easy and comes together in just a few minutes in a food processor.Recipe: Home Cooking Collective
Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
This summer, use fresh garden basil and blossoms to make basil butter! This garlic herb compound butter is easy to make and can be frozen for later.Recipe: Champagne Taste
Basil Butter
These pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth lemon basil butter cookies blend sweet and savory into one delightful bite! Tangy lemon adds a zesty twist while a little chopped basil sprinkles a hint of aromatic, refreshing herb flavor. The perfect treat for any time of day, whether it's a post-dinner dessert or a mid-afternoon tea break!Recipe: Aberdeen's Kitchen
Lemon Basil Butter Cookies
Refreshing and creamy! This take on sorbet is my summer dessert go-to. It's best served right after it's made but you can also pop it in the freezer for a couple of hours before serving.Recipe: Rise Shine Cook
Pineapple Basil Sorbet
This balsamic baked salmon recipe is topped with a refreshing strawberry basil salsa. It's such a simple, yet delicious summer dish that's bursting with flavour and nutrition! This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and a source of protein and fibre. Recipe: Walder Wellness
Baked Salmon with Strawberry Basil Salsa
This Sourdough Panzanella with Peaches and Burrata is theΒ apex of summer salad recipes. Using summer produce, itβs a slight twist on the classic Italian bread salad with the addition of peaches and creamy burrata cheese.Β Recipe: Sourdough Brandon
Panzanella with Peaches, Burrata and Basil
This delicious classic Margherita pizza is topped with crushed tomatoes, garlic, salt, mozzarella, and basil. So simple to make and perfect for feeding a crowd!Recipe: Homemade Hooplah
Classic Margherita Pizza
Making basil oil is so simple, trust me youβll want to drizzle it all over your chicken, fish, tomatoes, vegetables or with some crusty bread!Recipe: Skinny Taste
Basil Oil
You have to try these flavorfulΒ Burst Tomato Basil Butter Beans! They only take 30 minutes to make and are the perfect healthy, vegan, & gluten-free recipe when you're craving something easy & quick for dinner!Recipe: Short Girl Tall Order
Tomato Basil Butter Beans
A simple and healthy Melon Basil Burrata Salad with Crispy Prosciutto. Sweet and juicy summer melon, fresh cherry tomatoes, summer garden basil, and burrata cheese are combined to create a refreshing summer salad thatβs pretty and so delicious.Β Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
Melon Basil Burrata Salad
Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewersβ¦the fun, colorful, and delicious summer appetizer that weβre all looking for right now. Sweet-juicy summer melon, garden basil, and pesto marinated balls of mozzarella cheese are all layered together to create a fresh summer appetizer thatβs pretty and so delicious.Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers
Tomato Basil Soup is made with fresh tomatoes simmered with onion, garlic and sweet basil for a deliciously creamy tomato soup thatβs ready in about 30 minutes! Recipe: Simple Veganista
Tomato Basil Soup
This easy pesto potato salad recipe is made with new potatoes, tons of fragrant basil and brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Vegan, better for you, naturally creamy, no mayo and gluten free.Recipe: Veggie Society
Pesto Potato Salad
This Cucumber-Basil Gazpacho has bright and refreshing note from the cucumber, wonderful aromatics thanks to the scallion and basil, a touch of heat from the cayenne and garlic, and a creaminess thanks to the avocado. A total summer-time win!Recipe: The Defined Dish
Cucumber Basil Gazpacho
This salad is so easy and so delicious, plus it's packed with protein. Perfect for any time you want a quick-but-craveable lunchRecipe: Justine Snacks
Edamame Salad with Parmesan Basil and Mint
This salad screams summer, even though there is not a piece of lettuce in sight. It's bright, sweet, refreshing and filled with bright herbs and spices. It's one of those salads that doesn't need a dressing, it's just that good on its own.Recipe: Justine Snacks
Cherry & Corn Summer Salad with Basil
These fun and flavorfulΒ caprese skewersΒ are just what you need at your next party. Mini skewers are threaded with juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a classic caprese touch.Recipe: Downshiftology
Caprese Skewers
This Basil Limoncello Cocktail is made with vodka, basil, limoncello, lemon juice, agave, and sparkling water for a simple and fresh cocktail to sip on.Recipe: The Social Sipper
Basil Limoncello Cocktail
More Taste of Summer Recipes
- Strawberry Mojito
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
- Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
- Cream of Zucchini Soup
- Zucchini Pasta Salad
- Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
- Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
- Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these basil recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Did you Make Any of These Basil Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of basil recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Basil Ground Beef
Basil, the ultimate herb of summer, is the star in this collection of 35+ recipes, with a dish for every occasion and mood! While many immediately think of the classic caprese salad when they hear "basil," this versatile herb can do so much more. Basil pairs beautifully with a wide range of ingredients, including tomatoes, garlic, lemon, and even strawberries. Try this Thai Basil Beef recipe.
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Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 3 jalapenos (seeded and thinly sliced, divided)
- 1 ΒΌ pounds lean ground beef
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1 Tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 1/4 teaspoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions.
- Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic and half the jalapenos and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up with spoon and pressing firmly to help brown, until fully cooked and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Add broth and basil leaves. Cook until basil has wilted, about 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves, then add it to the beef mixture and toss to combine.
- Serve beef over rice, topped with scallions and remaining jalapeno. Garnish with additional lime wedges on the side.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
Nutrition
Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 556mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3240IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3.5mg
