Pesto Butter (5 Minutes!)

There's nothing quite like the joy of making homemade pesto butter when summer rolls around and my garden is bursting with fresh basil!

Whether you're growing your own basil or not, you absolutely need to try this pesto-flavored butter recipe. It pairs perfectly with grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.

And the best part? This recipe is incredibly easy to make and requires only two ingredients.

Simply mix some softened butter and basil pesto together in a mixing bowl, and voila! You have a delicious and versatile butter that will take your summer dishes to the next level.

So, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about making your own pesto butter at home.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Delicious on Everything- Pesto-flavored butter makes everything taste better. I love using it on pasta, bread, meats, seafood, and vegetables.
• Ready in 5 Minutes- Just mix the butter and pesto together and you're ready to enjoy!
• Only 2 Ingredients- This easy compound butter recipe is a simple combination of butter and basil pesto. For the best flavor, use fresh pesto instead of jarred pesto.
• Perfect for Summer- It doesn't get more summer-inspired than fresh basil pesto. Use this easy pesto butter on all of your favorite grilled foods including chicken , steak, seafood, vegetables, and more.
• Customizable- Add roasted garlic, lemon zest, sun-dried tomatoes, or red pepper flakes for even more flavor.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Basil Pesto- Basil pesto is a breeze to make. I highly recommend making your own homemade pesto for this recipe, but you can also use store-bought pesto if preferred.
• Unsalted Butter- It's essential that the butter is soft enough to blend easily with the pesto. I prefer to use unsalted butter, as it allows me to have better control over the seasoning when adding this pesto butter to any dish. Looking for a fun kitchen activity? Try making homemade butter in a mason jar, then turn it into pesto butter!

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Growing your own basil at home is not only convenient but also environmentally friendly! Having fresh herbs readily available helps reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the distance your food travels.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this pesto butter recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Basil Pesto- For a twist on the classic recipe, try making your homemade pesto with arugula, spinach, kale, or any other type of leafy green you enjoy.
• Unsalted Butter- Substitute the butter for margarine or vegan butter, if preferred.

Variations

• Dairy-Free- For a dairy-free pesto, you can substitute parmesan cheese with extra walnuts, vegan parmesan cheese, or nutritional yeast. To replace the butter, use dairy-free options such as margarine or vegan butter substitutes.
• Nut-Free- To make nut-free pesto, simply swap out the pine nuts with an additional ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese.
• Roasted Garlic- Take the garlic flavor up a notch by adding some roasted garlic.
• Spicy- A few shakes of red pepper flakes would give this simple pesto butter recipe a spicy kick.
• Lemony- Grate some lemon zest into the pesto butter for a pop of citrusy flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomato- Add a few sun-dried tomatoes to your basil pesto for a savory, slightly tangy twist.

How to Make Homemade Pesto Butter

Here is how to make pesto-flavored compound butter.

Step 1: Add ingredients to a mixing bowl. Add the softened butter and basil pesto to a small mixing bowl.

Step 2: Mix together butter and pesto. Using a fork or a small rubber spatula, mix together the butter and pesto until well combined.

Step 3: Store the pesto butter. Transfer the butter to a glass jar with a lid to store. Alternatively, transfer the butter to a piece of plastic wrap and roll it into a log shape. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh ingredients. Since this dish is made with just two ingredients, it's important to use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients possible. I highly recommend making your own basil pesto with fresh basil leaves.
• Soften the butter. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the pesto. This will make it easier to blend the two ingredients together.
• Mix well. You want the pesto flavor to be evenly distributed throughout the butter.
• Chill before serving. Depending on how you're using the pesto butter, chilling it for at least 30 minutes will help it firm up and hold its shape better.
• Get creative. Pesto-flavored butter can easily be customized and used in a variety of different dishes. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Making a lot of pesto butter? Use a food processor to make the job even easier! Just toss all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and mix until well combined.

How to Use Pesto Butter

Basil butter pairs well with just about any meat, seafood, or vegetable. One of my favorite ways to use this pesto butter is in this Basil Pesto Butter Salmon recipe.

It's also fantastic with pasta and tastes delicious in this Pesto Rigatoni recipe - perfect for Meatless Monday!

Other creative ways to use pesto-flavored butter include:

• As a spread for bread, garlic bread, or crackers (try making a pesto butter board!)
• Mixed with roasted, sautéed, or grilled vegetables
• Melted onto a baked potato
• As a sauce for grilled steak, chicken, pork, or fish
• Toss with popcorn for a savory snack
• Spread it on your favorite sandwich or burger in place of mayonnaise

Storage

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store compound butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
• Freezer- For longer storage, freeze the butter for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead

Prepare the basil pesto and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week before mixing it with butter. Alternatively, store homemade pesto in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

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