This basil mint pesto combines fresh herbs with pumpkin seeds, olive oil and garlic for a flavourful dip, spread or sauce for pesto pasta. Easy to make, it comes together in less than 20 minutes and is a tasty vegan mint pesto made without nuts or cheese.
Try using this pesto recipe to make my roasted vegetables with pesto side dish or my veggie pasta with pesto for dinner!
I know that when time is tight, I always have a go-to meal in mind – pesto pasta. Ita always a crowd-pleaser as a tasty comfort food dinner idea. Love pesto too? Then you may also like to see my pistachio pesto and macadamia nut pesto for other fun twists on this recipe.
My Thai basil pesto has a lovely aniseed, and more savoury flavour that is very delicious, and my lemon balm pesto is so zingy and fresh!
This basil mint pesto uses both herbs for a flavourful sauce. While basil is the traditional herb, adding in the mint makes this feel like a spring pesto with its light and fresh taste. I definitely suggest growing some if you can![feast_advanced_jump_to]
Mint and basil are two of the most commonly used fresh herbs in cooking With their vibrant green colors and aromatic flavors, they can add a wonderful element to both sweet and savory dishes But do mint and basil actually complement each other when used together? Let’s take a closer look at pairing these herbs and how their flavors can work in harmony.
Understanding the Flavor Profiles of Mint and Basil
To understand how mint and basil can be combined successfully it’s helpful to first examine their individual flavor profiles
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Mint has a cool, refreshing taste with pronounced menthol and subtle spicy notes. It provides a bright pop of flavor and aroma that is both cooling and soothing. Mint is very versatile, used in everything from cocktails to desserts to savory dishes. It is essential in Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
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Basil has a sweet, peppery flavor with hints of clove and anise. It imparts a warm, almost licorice-like aroma. The taste is robust and pronouned. Basil is most closely associated with Italian cooking but also shows up frequently in Southeast Asian cuisines.
While mint and basil each have their own unique tastes, they do share some key commonalities that allow them to blend well:
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Both herbs have a slight spiciness and bold herbal quality.
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They add a vibrancy and freshness to dishes.
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When balanced properly, neither herb will overpower the other.
Thanks to their complementary aromas and flavors, mint and basil can combine to create a very pleasant culinary pairing.
Are Mint and Basil Interchangeable?
While mint and basil complement each other as flavor partners, they are not necessarily interchangeable in recipes. Here are some of the key differences between the herbs:
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Basil has a much more assertive, pronounced flavor compared to the more delicate mint.
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Mint delivers a cooler, brighter taste, while basil is warmer.
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Basil stands up well to cooking applications like sauces and stews, whereas mint is best used raw.
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Mint pairs flawlessly with fruits and sweets, but basil does not.
If a recipe specifically calls for one of these herbs, substituting fully with the other is not likely to yield ideal results. However, you can combine proportions of each herb to balance the flavors if you don’t have just one on hand.
Cooking with Mint and Basil
When using mint and basil together in the kitchen, the key is balance so that neither herb dominates the other. Here are some tips for combining these herbs successfully:
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Use a greater proportion of the more delicate mint compared to the robust basil – try starting with twice as much mint.
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Chop the herbs into small, uniform pieces to allow their flavors to disperse evenly.
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Add the herbs simultaneously rather than sequentially so that the flavors can integrate.
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Incorporate the herbs at the end of cooking to retain their fresh tastes.
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For uncooked preparations like dressings, add one herb first and the other right before serving.
Here are some examples of recipes that benefit from the mint and basil pairing:
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Pesto – For a creative riff, use 2 parts basil to 1 part mint.
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Salad dressings and marinades – The herbs liven up oil and vinegar.
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Salsa verde – Blend into the classic Italian green sauce.
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Vegetable or fruit salads – Toss with melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus.
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Grilled meats, fish and shrimp – Apply a mint-basil paste or sprinkle as garnish.
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Cocktails – Muddle into lemonade, mojitos, mint juleps, and fruit punches.
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Desserts – Add to ice cream, chocolate, fruit salads.
In these dishes, the combination of basil and mint creates a more dynamic and complex flavor compared to using either herb alone.
Growing Mint and Basil Together
If you want easy access to both mint and basil for cooking, consider growing them together in your herb garden. Here are some tips:
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Plant them in separate containers near each other for easy harvesting.
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Or plant far apart in a garden bed since mint spreads rapidly.
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Grow in full sun to partial shade depending on climate.
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Fertilize monthly during growing season.
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Water when soil dries out but avoid over-saturation.
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Prune back mint often and pinch basil for bushy plants.
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Harvest sprigs frequently to encourage new growth.
Having your own mint and basil plants allows you to always have a supply of fresh herbs to blend into recipes.
Storing Mint and Basil
To retain the fresh flavors of mint and basil after harvest, proper storage is key:
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Store unwashed sprigs loose in plastic bags in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
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For basil, trim stems and stand upright in water like a bouquet.
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Refrigerate for 5-7 days, changing the water every 2 days.
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Freeze chopped herbs in ice cube trays with a bit of oil for longer storage.
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Or make flavored oils, pesto or herb pastes to freeze.
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Air dry herbs separately – don’t use pre-mixed dried blends.
Following these methods will help you enjoy the dynamic mint and basil pairing all year round.
Should You Mix Mint and Basil?
While mint and basil each add their own vibrancy to dishes, thoughtfully combining them can create a very pleasant, aromatic flavor partnership. Much like their entwined growth habits in nature, their flavors beautifully complement and enhance one another. Just keep in mind the proper proportions and adding techniques when blending these herbs. Growing and cooking with mint and basil together will allow you to appreciate their amazing versatility.
Step by step instructions
Making this mint basil pesto is super easy to do and comes together in around fifteen minutes. Just a two simple steps to the recipe:
Step 1
Dry fry the pumpkin seeds in a pan ( 1). This is without any oil. Toast them until they start to very slightly brown, and they may also pop. Be careful not to let them burn, and toss frequently.
Step 2
After letting the pumpkin seeds cool slightly, add all the ingredients to your food processor or blender, and blend to a thick pesto ( 2). Adjust with more olive oil to preference, and more basil or mint.
⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Full of flavour. Pesto is always packed with taste, and this mint pesto is no exception. Herbs, garlic and a good extra virgin olive oil really do pack a punch with their flavours!
Healthy. All the ingredients are bursting with health benefits, making for a dip or spread that is so good for you!
Versatile. Use this pesto for pesto pasta, as a dip or a spread for sandwiches or rice cakes. Or stir it into my pesto orzo salad for a tasty side dish!
All the ingredients needed and their quantities are in the recipe card below, but some suggestions for a few of them:
- Pumpkin seeds – this a twist on the pine nuts that are typically used for pesto, and makes this a nut free pesto. They have a great taste, but be sure to use plain ones not salted! Check out my substitutes for pine nuts in pesto post for more ideas!
- Olive oil – I suggest using a good quality extra virgin olive oil if you can for its better taste.
- Basil and mint – you need to use fresh mint leaves and basil rather than dried to make pesto.
How to Grow TONS of Mint (And Not Let it Take Over)
FAQ
Does mint pair well with basil?
Mint and basil
They complement each other perfectly – basil adds sweet and peppery notes, while the mint brings a menthol, almost citrusy flavor.
Are mint and basil compatible?
Mint and basil are great companion plants to grow next to each other in separate growing spaces as mint can repel pests like aphids and beetles that would damage tender basil leaves. Growing mint and basil together is a rewarding process and a great introduction to companion gardening. The Absolute.
What herb goes best with mint?
Add near the end of cooking process. Mint Sweet, tangy asparagus, beans, baby carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, yogurt combines well with basil, clove, cumin, dill, ginger, oregano, parsley, thyme Bunches of fresh mint will keep for 2 days in a glass of water in the kitchen.
Do mint and basil go well together in a salad?
The basil adds a refreshing, cooling flavor, along with the mint, to balance the spicy flavors characteristic of Thai cooking. Toss romaine, kale, cucumber, carrots, chicken, basil and mint in a large bowl. Pour on dressing and toss to coat evenly; add almonds and toss again.