How to Freeze Pesto & Customizable Pesto

Did you have leftover pesto from yesterday’s Jerk Rub Grilled Mahi Mahi with Sweet Pepper Pesto? Or like me, have a garden that is over flowing with herbs? Well I have the answer for you! You can freeze your pesto:) And I don’t mean all in one container that you have to thaw out each time you want a scoop or two. I’m going to show you how, I know, crazy right?

*My affiliate links are used in this post. However this does not influence or change my opinion. Thanks for using them and helping support my family and my blog!*

So this is just one harvest of basil out of my garden. I have already harvested it at least three times this summer and it could probably use it again!! I also have thai basil, globe basil, spicy oregano and mint. I don’t have cilantro in my garden, but we all LOVE cilantro so I always have a bunch around. So I decided that I was going to have me a little pesto making party with all my herbs. I know, I am such a dork!! But I love doing this kind of stuff and it is sooooooooooooo much cheaper, healthier and tastier than buying store bought pesto.

So I love our FoodSaver! There I said it and no I wasn’t paid to…however that is my affiliate link so if you bought one using that link I would make a small commission. I used to make fun of how much my dad enjoyed vacuum sealing food but once I realized that it was great for putting up fruits and veggies, I was hooked. Sorry Dad:) These Portion Pouch Bags are perfect!! They allow you to portion out your pesto into the amount that you will need for a meal and not have to break the air tight seal of the whole bag when you want to get 3-4 cubes out for dinner. Just put a few in each side of the bag. You will be making two bags at one time and they are perforated, so you just rip one off as needed and save the rest for later!!

If you don’t have a FoodSaver or other vacuum sealer, you can still do this. Just use freezer bags and squeeze as much air out as you can, to prevent freezer-burn.

Customizable Pesto

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

You can make a pesto out of just about any herb or herb combination and just about any nut or nut combo. Be creative and try some out!

Author: Becky

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2-3 garlic cloves (peeled)
• 2 tbsp pine nuts (you can also try almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc)
• 1 cup fresh herb(s) of your choice
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Trick for peeling garlic: separate your garlic cloves from the bulb and place on a cutting board. Place the side of a knife over the clove of garlic and apply pressure. If need be, tap the flat side of the knife with your fist. The skin will easily come away from the garlic clove.
2. Place your peeled garlic in the food processor and chop it up along. Scrap down the sides and add the remaining ingredients, except the olive oil.
3. Note: if you are freezing this pesto, don't add the cheese. Cheese doesn't freeze well. Just add cheese to your recipe when using the frozen pesto in a dish.
4. Stream in the olive oil with the food processor running until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency.

3.2.2089

Basil and Spicy Oregano Pesto

Thai & Globe Basil Pesto

Basil and jalapeño pesto! Yep you can throw in peppers if you wish. I had a bunch in the garden, so I thought, why not?

Cilantro Mint Basil

The combinations are really endless!! Now it’s your turn, what your favorite pesto combination?