How to Freeze Pesto

Co-authored by Jerran Boyer and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

You’ve got a huge batch of basil pesto on your hands—a little too much, in fact! How are you supposed to save all of your delicious leftover sauce without letting any of it go to waste? We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn how you can freeze, thaw, and enjoy your homemade pesto for months to come without any freezer burn or discoloration.

Things You Should Know

Freeze pesto in an ice cube tray, a freezer safe container, or a plastic bag. You can also freeze it flat on a baking tray.
Keep the pesto green by covering it in olive oil before freezing.
Defrost it at room temperature when you are ready.
Frozen pesto will last for 6 months in the freezer.

Section 1 of 5:

What is the best way to freeze pesto?

1
Freeze the pesto overnight in an ice cube tray. Scoop about 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of pesto into each ice cube well. Then, tuck a piece of plastic wrap over top and stick the wrapped tray in the freezer for the night.^{[1]
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- Ice cube trays make it easy to portion out your pesto so you can grab and defrost the exact amount that you need for a future recipe.
2
Store the frozen pesto cubes in a freezer bag. Pull the tray out of the freezer and pop each cube into a freezer-safe plastic bag. Then, label the bag with the day’s date and stick it in the freezer.^{[2]
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- Another option is to store the cubes in an airtight container.
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3
Defrost the pesto cubes at room temperature when you’re ready to use them. Scoop out as many pesto cubes as you need and set them in a bowl on your table or countertop. In about 20 minutes, the pesto will be thawed out and ready to use.^{[3]
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- If you’re in a rush, stick the pesto cubes in the microwave for 30 seconds. Keep heating the cubes in 30-second increments until the pesto is thawed and warm.
- Stir through your pesto with a fork to make sure it’s an even consistency.

Section 2 of 5:

Other Easy Ways to Freeze Pesto

1
Freeze the leftover pesto in a freezer-safe container. Grab a plastic container or glass jar that’s labelled as freezer-safe. Then, pour all of your leftover pesto into the container, leaving about ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) of space between the lid and the surface of the pesto. Seal the lid tightly, label it with the current date, and stick it in the freezer until you’re ready to use it.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
National Center for Home Food Preservation
Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food
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- This freezing method works well if you’re planning on thawing your pesto all at once.
- Stick the pesto container in the refrigerator when you’re ready to thaw it. Be sure to use any pesto within 3 days so it stays fresh.^{[5]
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2
Pour the pesto onto a baking sheet and freeze it in a thin layer. Let the pesto freeze overnight, and then cut it into smaller pieces, like triangles. Slide these frozen pesto pieces into a freezer-safe bag and mark the current date on the front.^{[6]
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- Like the ice cube tray method, this strategy lets you thaw out as much or as little pesto as you need. Thaw the pesto pieces in a bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes or so, or microwave it in 30-second bursts to thaw the pesto more quickly.^{[7]
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3
Flatten and seal the pesto in a freezer bag. Pour the pesto into a freezer-safe plastic bag and seal it up tightly. Then, flatten out the bag's surface so the pesto sits in a thin, even layer. Carefully label the bag with the day’s date and lay it flat in the freezer. Whenever you need to use pesto in a future recipe, snap off a piece from the bag.^{[8]
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- Transfer the pesto pieces to a bowl on your table or countertop. Let the pesto thaw at room temperature for around 20 minutes, or microwave the bowl in 30-second increments to warm it up more quickly.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 5:

How do you keep pesto green when freezing?

Cover the pesto with olive oil before freezing it. Pesto starts to darken when it makes contact with the surrounding air.^{[10]
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Research source} To protect your pesto, simply pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of it before sticking it in the freezer.^{[11]
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Research source} This creates a nice barrier that blocks off the air.^{[12]
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- This trick works best when you’re freezing pesto in a freezer-safe container.

Section 4 of 5:

How long does homemade basil pesto last in the freezer?

Frozen pesto lasts for 6 months in the freezer. Make sure to label your pesto before sticking it in the freezer, and check the date periodically to see if it’s still good.^{[13]
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Section 5 of 5:

Is it better to freeze pesto with or without cheese?

It’s better to freeze pesto without any cheese. Cheese tastes best when stored in the refrigerator rather than the freezer.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
National Center for Home Food Preservation
Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food
Go to source} You’re better off freezing your pesto separately and using fresh cheese as your future recipes call for it.^{[15]
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- Freezing plain pesto gives you a little more flexibility in your recipes, too! That way, you aren’t limited to using your frozen pesto for recipes that call for a specific amount of cheese.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I keep frozen pesto for a year?

Otterly Badgerific

Top Answerer

Frozen pesto is best consumed within 3 to 6 months of making and freezing it. Beyond 6 months, the pesto quality is likely to deteriorate in both flavor and texture, so it is not recommended to keep it for a year.