How to Freeze Pesto

Posted on August 31st, 2009 by Elaine

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Pesto is a delicious ingredient you can make in your kitchen and can use for pasta, soup or even pastry. Every now and then, though, you get some leftover pesto that you want to use later on. Don’t worry, because there’s an easy way to preserve this delicious ingredient. Freezing pesto maintains its flavor and allows you to use it for some other time.

Making Pesto

Before you can freeze pesto, you must know how to make it. If you have a basil plant in your garden, this is not a very difficult task. Most food lovers have their own recipe, but if you don’t here’s a simple one you can follow.

What You’ll Need:

Two cups of fresh basil leaves
Olive oil (For more uses of olive oil, read 13 Practical uses for olive oil)
1/3 cup of pine nuts
Salt
Pepper (optional)
¼ cup of parmesan cheese (grated)
Food processor

Procedure:

Combine the basil leaves (Want to get your own basil leaves, see how to grow basil), the pine nuts and the grated cheese into your food processor. Mix and blend them well.
Add in the olive oil, a few drizzle at a time. Keep doing this until you create a creamy consistency.
Add salt to taste. A sprinkle of pepper also adds a delicious flavor.

The Freezing Method

After using as much pesto as you need, you can now freeze the leftovers. Here’s an easy method to do it.

What You’ll Need:

Freezer bag
Ice cube trays or unused muffin tins
Refrigerator
Non-stick cooking spray

Procedure:

Ready your ice cube trays or your unused muffin tins. Remember, the taste of pesto can cling on to the container you’re using, so as much as possible, use ice trays or tins that you plan on using for just pesto.
If you’re using the muffin tins, spray some non-stick cooking spray on the inside.
Scoop the pesto in the trays or in the muffin tins. Let it freeze overnight.
When the pesto has frozen, remove it from the muffin tin or from the cube tray. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remove; run some hot water over the tray or tin’s bottom, and it should pop out well.
Put the pesto cubes or muffins into a freezer bag, then put back in the freezer. These cubes will be useful for months to come.

When frozen, pesto can be used for months to come. Just follow this simple method, and you’re sure to have this delightful ingredient anytime you want it.