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Thai Basil Pesto with Peanuts and Soy Sauce

There’s nothing quite like making pesto with herbs straight from your own garden. This homemade Thai basil pesto is packed with bold flavor from fresh Thai basil, toasted peanuts, and garlic — all blended into a silky sauce with sesame and olive oil. It’s completely dairy-free and perfect for adding a savory, nutty twist to noodles, rice bowls, grilled veggies, or sandwiches. If you’ve got an abundance of Thai basil, this quick and easy recipe is a delicious way to use it up!

How to Use Thai Basil Pesto

This flavorful Thai basil pesto is incredibly versatile. Toss it with rice noodles or stir it into jasmine rice for a quick weeknight meal. It’s also delicious as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or grilled chicken skewers. Try spreading it on wraps or sandwiches in place of mayo for a bold, herby upgrade. The nutty, savory flavor adds a unique twist to just about anything!

From Garden to Table

This pesto came about thanks to my overflowing garden. I’d planted a few different types of basil this year just for fun, but the Thai basil really took off! With more leaves than I could possibly use in stir-fry alone, I decided to turn some into pesto — and now it’s one of my favorite ways to use this fragrant herb. It’s such a simple way to enjoy the flavors of summer, we like to serve it over chicken and rice.

How To Store

Store leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, spoon it into an ice cube tray, freeze until solid, and transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. That way, you can grab just what you need later — perfect for a quick flavor boost any time of year. Really great addition to soup especially tomato soup!

Thai Basil Pesto

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Thai basil leaves, packed (thick stems removed)
• 1/3 cup Unsalted peanuts
• 2 cloves Garlic (to taste)
• 3 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tbs sesame oil
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tbs water (as needed to blend)

Method

 

1. Prep the peanuts – Add peanuts to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely ground.
2. Add remaining ingredients – Add Thai basil, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and olive oil.
3. Blend – Blend until smooth, pausing to scrape the sides if needed. Add 1–2 tablespoons of water to help it come together to a thick but scoopable texture.
4. Taste & adjust – Add more soy sauce or garlic to suit your taste.

If you loved this recipe, you can find more to try on my recipes page.