Pesto is a delectable sauce made from basil, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
It’s a versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, chicken, or vegetables.
But does pesto go bad?
How long does pesto last?
A jar of pesto should keep unopened in the refrigerator for about four weeks.
Once opened, however, it should only be kept for about three days.
Does pesto go bad in the fridge?
No, pesto doesn’t go bad in the fridge!
However, once opened, it should be consumed within three days.
Can you freeze pesto?
Yes, pesto can be frozen.
Just make sure not to defrost before using, as this can affect the taste.
How do you store pesto?
Pesto keeps well in the fridge, so there’s no need to worry about opening too many jars at one time.
You can also freeze any leftover pesto for later use.
What is pesto made of?
It’s made primarily from basil, but other ingredients include parsley, pine nuts, pistachios, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan.
Many different variations of pesto exist, including sun-dried tomato pesto, roasted walnut pesto, and even vegan pesto.
Is pesto healthy?
There are many different types of pesto available, and while they all contain plenty of good stuff, they also contain high amounts of fat and calories.
So if you’re trying to cut down on your food intake, then don’t bother with pesto—it’s just too heavy to eat regularly.
While it may not have a lot of nutritional value per serving, pesto adds flavor to many foods, making it a great addition to any meal.
How do you use pesto?
If you love pesto, then you could try pesto pasta, pesto salad, or pesto pizza.
Or, if you want something slightly more adventurous, try pesto fried rice or pesto potato chips.
If you like your pesto on fish, try pesto cod, pesto grilled salmon, or pesto baked cod.
What are some pesto recipes?
Here are some of our favorites:
- Pasta with pesto
- Chicken marinara with pesto
- Grilled zucchini with pesto
- Seared scallops with pesto
- Tuna with pesto
- Baked cod with pesto
- Roasted salmon with pesto
- Vegan pesto hummus
- Fried rice with pesto
- Potato chips with pesto
- Spicy shrimp with pesto
- Stuffed mushrooms with pesto
- Spaghetti squash stuffed with pesto
- Pine nut pesto
- Sun-dried tomato pesto
- Pomegranate pesto
- Cilantro pesto
- Pistachio pesto
- Zucchini pesto
- Basil pesto
- Avocado pesto
- Balsamic pesto
- Mushroom pesto
- Herb pesto
- Pistachio pesto
- Pesto Sandwich
Pesto is an Italian sauce made with fresh herbs, such as basil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese.
It’s a versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, chicken, or vegetables.
But does pesto actually go bad?
How long does pesto last?
If pesto was just basil, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, then yes, it would go bad after about three months in the fridge.
However, because pesto is so much more than that, its shelf life is longer.
In fact, pesto has been known to last up to one year in the fridge.
Does pesto go bad in the fridge?
Although pesto is not going to spoil overnight, it will begin to lose its flavor after about two weeks.
The problem is that this isn’t the only reason why pesto goes bad.
The other main culprit is oxidation.
When exposed to air, oils turn rancid over time.
This is especially true when pesto sits out on the countertop, where it’s exposed to light.
This is why pesto should always be stored in the refrigerator.
As soon as you open the container, place it in the fridge right away.
If you don’t have enough room in your fridge to store all the food at once, keep the pesto in the freezer until you’re ready to serve it.
Can you freeze pesto?
Yes, you can freeze pesto.
Just make sure you wrap it well in plastic wrap first to protect it from any moisture.
Then transfer it into a ziploc bag and seal it tightly.
Place it in the freezer within 24 hours of making it.
How do you store pesto?
You can also refrigerate pesto if you want to preserve its flavor for a while longer.
Keep it in a sealed container and store it in the fridge.
What is pesto made of?
Pesto is made of basil, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
All of these ingredients contain fats that break down over time, which is why pesto starts to lose its flavor quickly.
To slow down the process of deterioration, add spices like pepper and salt to the dish.
Is pesto healthy?
Pesto is high in fat and calories.
A serving size of 1/4 cup contains about 120 calories and 13 grams of fat.
That’s a lot!
So, unless you’re trying to cut back on your calorie intake, stay clear of pesto if you find yourself eating too much of it.
How do you use pesto?
Because pesto is so easy to make, you can put it on pretty much anything.
You can even use it as a dip for bread sticks, crackers, or veggies.
Use it to top pizza, pasta, or roasted potatoes.
Or, try adding it to soups or stews.
There are many ways to use pesto, and they all taste great.
What are some pesto recipes?
Here are some popular pesto recipes:
Chicken Alfredo – For this classic comfort food, chop up a rotisserie chicken and toss it in a bowl with pesto, melted butter, and grated parmesan cheese. Bake it in the oven until heated through.
Spaghetti Bolognese – Add pesto to this traditional meaty tomato-based sauce to give it a little kick. Serve it with spaghetti noodles.
Tuna Pasta Salad – This tuna salad is perfect for picnics or potlucks. Toss it with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and diced cucumbers. Top it off with pesto and sprinkle it with feta cheese.
If you want to learn more about pesto, here are some related articles.
Want more information on how to cook and eat well?
Learn more by reading our guide to cooking and nutrition.
The Ultimate Chicken and Pesto Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 Pan
- 1 bowl
- 1 Toaster Oven
Ingredients
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- ½ cup pesto
- 1 tbsp oil
- salt and pepper
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4 tbsp tomatoes
- 2 avocado pitted and sliced
- Rye
- Butter
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Wash and slice the chicken breasts in halves, then place them in a bowl.
- Mix in the pesto, salt and pepper until evenly coated
- Cook the chicken, covered, for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, toast the bread in a toaster or broil in the oven on its lowest setting for 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Add butter to toast.
Video
Notes
- Top bread with (half) sliced avocado, 2 halves of chicken, 1 piece of mozzarella and 1 tbsp of sun dried tomatoes spread over.
- Optional: Place sandwich back on the pan over medium heat, covered, for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted. Cut into half or quarters and secure with toothpick to serve.
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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