Ingredients
Scale
- 200g fresh basil tips (about 10 cups unpacked) – Choose bright green, fresh basil leaves for the best flavor. If you don’t have enough, you can mix in spinach or parsley to maintain the vibrant color and mild herbaceous taste.
- 12 garlic cloves – Garlic gives this sauce its bold punch. If you prefer a milder garlic taste, roast the cloves beforehand for a sweeter, caramelized flavor.
- 430g olive oil (about 2 cups) – Extra virgin olive oil is ideal, but if you’re out, you can substitute with avocado oil or a neutral oil like grapeseed.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavors and balances the bitterness of the basil. You can adjust the amount based on preference.
Instructions
- Harvest and Prepare the Basil
- Pick the top 2-3 inches of your basil plants in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated.
- If using store-bought basil, choose leaves that are bright green and free from dark spots.
- Rinse the basil thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Measure the Ingredients
- Weigh out 200g of basil or measure about 10 cups of loosely packed leaves and stems.
- Peel 12 garlic cloves and set them aside.
- Pour 1 cup of olive oil into your blender.
- Start Blending
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt and drop in 6 garlic cloves.
- Place half of the basil into the blender.
- Secure the lid and pulse a few times to break up the basil and garlic.
- Once it starts to combine, blend on high for 20-30 seconds until smooth.
- Fill and Store
- Using a spatula, transfer the sauce into 4 oz (125 ml) jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace.
- Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve freshness.
- Seal the jars tightly with lids and label them with the date.
- Repeat the Process
- Add the second batch of ingredients to the blender (1 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 6 garlic cloves, and the remaining basil).
- Blend again and fill more jars, topping with olive oil and sealing them.
- Freeze for Long-Term Storage
- Place the jars in the freezer, where they will stay fresh for 8-12 months.
Notes
- How to Tell if Basil is Fresh: Look for firm, bright green leaves without any wilting or dark spots.
- What If the Sauce is Too Thick? Add a little more olive oil to achieve the desired consistency.
- What If the Garlic Flavor is Too Strong? Try roasting the garlic before blending, which mellows the sharpness and brings out its sweetness.
- How to Prevent the Sauce from Browning: The layer of olive oil on top prevents oxidation, keeping the sauce vibrant green.
- Alternative Storage Options: If you don’t have small jars, pour the sauce into ice cube trays, freeze, then transfer the frozen cubes to a zip-top bag.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes