is making your own pesto worth it

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Some of you might know this. I absolutely love pesto. It began with making Pesto Pasta Salad in college. Probably the easiest “salad” you could possibly make and SO DELICIOUS because pesto is the best condiment in existence. After college, I transitioned to Pesto Chicken & Rice for lunches. Still a classic go-to, though I’ve tried to expand my food prep database (see: entire blog). Once I tried pesto from Costco, you could count on it always being in our fridge. It’s just a fact. Then the final piece to this story puzzle arrived – the food processor! I could make my own pesto. So I wondered – Store-Bought Vs. Homemade Pesto: Which is Cheaper?

Homemade basil pesto is a wonderfully versatile and tasty sauce/spread made from a handful of flavorful ingredients. It comes together in minutes and tastes worlds better than store-bought because it’s so fresh.
is making your own pesto worth it

Second Place: Store Bought (Grocery Store)

If you’re in a pinch, I think it’s safe to say it’s alright to grab some pesto at the local grocery store. I found 6-ounces of pesto at Trader Joe’s for $2.99. But – classic homemade pesto doesn’t cost THAT much more than this to make. And I’d say the best part about homemade pesto: it’s completely customizable. Pinterest has a zillion pesto recipes all up for grabs. I NEED to try homemade sun-dried tomato pesto immediately. Moving on to…

Winner: Store Bought (Bulk)

Thank you, Costco. I can confidently continue to purchase your Kirkland Signature Pesto without guilt. This 22-ounce package is surely the cheapest way to purchase pesto ($7.99 plus tax). It’s also incredibly delicious. I haven’t experimented much, but I would also guess it lasts a couple days longer than fresh pesto once it’s opened.

Making a Year’s Worth of Pesto Three Ways and Homemade Pasta

FAQ

Is homemade pesto better than shop bought?

Testersate both pestos plain and on room temperature penne. Everyone agreedthat the store-bought version was cheesier and nuttier; the homemadeversion had a stronger garlicky kick and basil brightness.

Is it cheaper to make my own pesto?

It depends on quantity. It’s going to be cheaper to buy a jar of pesto than to go out and buy good olive oil, basil (which I’m guessing is what you meant by pesto leaves), pine nuts, and parmesan just to make one jar.

What are the disadvantages of pesto?

You might not like it (for some people the basil has a too strong taste): You might be allergic to nuts (real pesto genovese contains pine nuts, cheaper commercial versions might contain cashew nuts, etc). You might be a vegan (in which case the pecorino sardo and the parmigiano reggiano cheeses don’t work for you).

Is pesto good on its own?

Also, keep in mind how you’ll be using it, as well as any other components of your dish or meal. Although you can eat pesto on its own, most people prefer to add it to other foods. Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat.

How do you make homemade pesto?

Here’s a delicious homemade pesto recipe! Add all ingredients except olive oil to the food processor. Pulse until nearly blended. Add about half of the olive oil. Pulse again, then add remaining olive oil and pulse until completely mixed. Store in an air tight container and use within 5-6 days.

Is homemade pesto better than store-bought?

Homemade pesto is infinitely more tasty than store-bought varieties. While pesto always seems fancy and gourmet, homemade pesto is very easy to make in your food processor or blender. Pesto originated in Liguria, Italy, where pesto is made in a mortar and pestle. (In fact, “pestâ” means “to pound.”)

How much does homemade pesto cost?

The price above was simply how much much my 12-ounces of homemade traditional pesto cost to make per ounce. It cost $7.24 for all the ingredients at Trader Joe’s (excluding salt/pepper) but it made just a little over half what I got at Costco for almost the same price. Overall, I would say it’s definitely worth a try if you have a food processor.

How do you keep pesto fresh in a food processor?

Add all ingredients except olive oil to the food processor. Pulse until nearly blended. Add about half of the olive oil. Pulse again, then add remaining olive oil and pulse until completely mixed. Store in an air tight container and use within 5-6 days. Cover the top of the pesto with extra olive oil for a little extra freshness.

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