• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Back to School Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • My Account
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Back to School Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Start Here
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • My Account
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Avoid Wasting Food

    Can You Freeze Pesto?

    Published: Aug 19, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Pesto is a delicious sauce made from fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts. It’s fantastic as a spread or sauce on any number of dishes, but also a little on the pricey side. Can you freeze pesto to extend your investment?

    Yes! You can freeze pesto, thereby reducing waste, saving money, extending your investment, and making it more convenient to enjoy all kinds of pesto recipes on a regular basis. Whether you make it or buy it, freezing it is a great way to go.

    close-up view of pesto pasta salad in large white bowl on blue striped cloth. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why Do This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Great Recipes to Make
    • Tell us what you think!
    • How to Freeze Pesto

    Basil pesto is one of my favorite condiments. Not only is it super flavorful, but it’s also incredibly versatile. It can go on grilled chicken, pizza, sandwiches, or pasta. It’s delicious in soups, salad dressing, and pasta. It makes a fantastic Pesto Bruschetta as well!

    Homemade pesto is delicious, but sometimes it’s cheaper to buy it. The best way to buy pesto is in bulk from Costco. Their Kirkland brand tastes great and is incredibly affordable. However, it’s definitely a bulk purchase. Good thing you can freeze pesto sauce!

    Why Do This

    You’ll save money. Maximize on the bulk pricing Costco offers by freezing pesto in portion-sized amounts to use over the coming weeks. You’ll avoid waste and save some money at the same time.

    It’s more convenient. When you have a stash of frozen pesto cubes on hand, you’ll have saved time going to the store or prepping it yourself. They are an easy addition to whatever you’re cooking.

    Ingredients

    jar of kirkland pesto on a black background.

    All you need is pesto or basil sauce. This can be homemade pesto you made in the food processor or store bought.

    Make sure your pesto is fresh. For best results, freeze it as soon as you open a large tub, but at the very least, make sure you’ve got a few days before the best-by date so you have plenty of time to enjoy it on the other side of thawing.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    It’s best to freeze pesto in the portions that you will use later. Most people won’t use a 2-cup portion of pesto, so think small, such as 2 tablespoon, ¼ cup and ½ cup portions.

    You can freeze it in:

    • ice cube trays
    • small, snack- or sandwich-size plastic freezer bags
    • half-pint or half-cup mason jars or plastic food containers (please see note below)
    • small size Souper Cubes

    Divide the pesto into portions you will use later.

    Place in the freezer until firm. If using ice cube trays or other silicone trays, you can pop out the cubes and store them in freezer bags until ready to use.

    pesto tub with spoon next to a small food container with labeled red lid.
    pesto in ½ cup soupercube trays with labeled lid on table.

    Thawing and Serving Instructions

    To serve, remove the frozen pesto from the freezer and thaw in the fridge until ready to use. It should thaw quickly at room temperature, so if you’re prepping something right away, you can leave it on the counter.

    Frozen pesto cubes can be added right to soups and sauces for instant flavor.

    FAQs

    Can you freeze pesto in glass jars?

    You can use mason jars for freezing, however there is a risk of breakage. Be sure to leave adequate headspace at the top to allow frozen pesto to expand and freeze the jars without the lids. Once frozen, you can secure the lids, but be sure not to wrench them too tightly. Close the lids just until there’s a bit of resistance.

    Can you freeze pesto pasta?

    If you’ve already tossed your pesto with noodles, you can still freeze it. Cool the food completely in the fridge before storing it in the freezer in an airtight container. Keep in mind that pasta will continue to soften in the freezer. Al dente cooked pasta is best for freezing.

    How long will pesto last in the freezer?

    Frozen pesto should be good indefinitely provided the temperature stays below zero degrees. However, most home freezers have a fluctuation in temperatures. It’s best to use it up within six months.

    frozen pesto in souper cubes as well as small food container with a red lid.

    Great Recipes to Make

    • stack of three turkey pesto sandwiches on wood cutting board.
      Hot Turkey Pesto Sandwiches
    • pesto pasta salad in large white bowl on blue striped cloth.
      Pesto Pasta Salad with Cranberries & Feta (60 cents/serving)
    • rustic basil sauce in small mason jar on a black table.
      Easy 3-Ingredient Basil Sauce
    • A bowl filled with pasta and vegetables, with Pesto
      Vegetable Pasta Salad with Pesto: A Very Quick Dinner
    white spoon and fork on a teal plate logo.

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    overhead shot of frozen pesto in souper cubes as well as in small plastic box.
    Print Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    5 from 1 vote

    How to Freeze Pesto

    Freezing pesto can be a great way to avoid food waste and extend its shelf life when you can't use it up fast enough. Learn how to freeze pesto so you don't have to use it all at one time.
    Prep Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time3 minutes mins
    Course: Sauces
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Servings: 1 pint
    Calories: 1831kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $6
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • ice cube trays
    • soupercubes
    • single-serve airtight containers

    Ingredients

    • 1 pint pesto
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Divide the pesto into ice cube trays or other freezer-safe containers and place in the freezer. Once firm, remove the cubes from the trays and store in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer.
      1 pint pesto
    • To use: thaw completely in a dish in the refrigerator before using in your recipes.

    Notes

    For best results: Freeze pesto as soon after opening the container as possible.
    Uses: pesto is delicious as a spread or sauce in pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and salads. It’s also good for adding flavor to soups and salad dressings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1831kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 175g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 4424mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 9539IU | Calcium: 762mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tell us what you think!Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
    « What to Do with Apples
    Beef Taquitos »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter their budget.

    More about me

    another recipe won't change your life. Good Habits will.
    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    cooking for one
    cooking for many banner
    cooking to freeze banner

    Let's Get Packing!

    • glazed muffin on a small plate with more in the background.
      Perfect Fluffy Bakery Style Vanilla Muffins Recipe
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • bowl of dill potato salad on a table with other picnic items.
      Dill Potato Salad
    • overhead shot of a white bowl filled with chicken pasta with peas and tomatoes.
      How to Stop Eating Out
    • salad with turkey, tomatoes, cheese, and fresh herbs in a black meal prep box on a red checked background.
      The Best Salad Toppings
    • close up of BBQ bacon cheeseburger on a white plate with a white background.
      BBQ Bacon Burgers Recipe

    Break Up with Take-Out

    • two black divided meal prep boxes with lettuce leaves on one side and turkey filling on the other.
      30+ Meal Prepped Lunches to Beat Fast Food
    • pizza freezer kit in gallon size ziptop bag.
      Freezer Meal Pizza Kits
    • vegetable fried rice on plate with potstickers
      Vegetable Fried Rice
    • chicken enchilada bake on plate
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • stack of chocolate baked donuts on beaded glass cake platter.
      The Best Chocolate Baked Donuts (17 cents each)
    • close up of BBQ bacon cheeseburger on a white plate with a white background.
      BBQ Bacon Burgers Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Good Cheap Eats