You know how it goes. You buy a big, gorgeous pack of basil because you have every intention of being a fabulous, put-together adult… and then three days later it’s wilting in the back of your fridge, staring at you like “Really? This is what we’re doing?”
Not today.
Today we’re using the whole damn pack of basil and turning it into two easy, delicious recipes you’ll actually reach for: Basil Simple Syrup and Quick Basil Pesto.
One sweet.
One savory.
Zero waste.
Maximum flavor.
Let’s cook, meatbags!
Watch me make both recipes and learn extra tips here!
Helpful Tools for These Recipes
OXO Zester
KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper
⭐ Recipe 1: Basil Simple Syrup
Perfect for cocktails, mocktails, lemonade, iced tea, fruit salads, or just making your drinks taste like summer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat water in a kettle until it is boiling.
- Add basil, sugar, and hot water into a heat-proof vessel.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns clear.
- Let the basil steep for overnight, for the strongest flavor.
- Strain out the basil and pour the syrup into a jar.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to Use It
- Stir into iced tea or lemonade
- Pour over fresh berries
- Add to sparkling water for a DIY basil soda
- Shake into cocktails (a basil gin fizz… yes please)
⭐ Recipe 2: Simple, Fresh Basil Pesto
This pesto uses up the rest of your basil and transforms it into a sauce that instantly upgrades pasta, chicken, sandwiches, eggs, or whatever you want!
Ingredients
- 2 packed cups fresh basil leaves3 garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts for a budget-friendly swap)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (freshly squeezed, OFC!)
Instructions
- Add basil, garlic, nuts, and Parmesan to a food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture looks chopped but not fully smooth.
- With the machine running, drizzle in olive oil until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for long-term use.
Ways to Use It
- Toss with pasta
- Spread on sandwiches or wraps
- Drizzle over roasted veggies
- Add to scrambled eggs
- Spoon onto salmon or chicken
- Mix into soup for a flavor boost
Why This Works
Basil is one of those herbs that tastes incredible but dies fast. By turning the whole pack into two recipes — one sweet and one savory — you avoid waste and set yourself up with flavor boosters you can add to almost anything.
Use your basil now, thank yourself later.
If you want more “How do I use this before it dies?” content, drop a comment and I’ll hook you up.
Basic Ass Cooking 
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