28 Fresh Basil Recipes That Show How Versatile The Summer Herb Really Is

On those too-hot days when we just can’t be bothered to add any extra heat in the kitchen, gazpacho is our summer savior. This refreshing soup is best enjoyed in late summer, when the star of the show—sweet, juicy tomatoes—are at their peak. The result is an ultra refreshing lunch, snack, or even a beverage (don’t judge!) to cool down with on the hottest of days.

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This Genovese specialty bursts with the summery flavor of basil, and we love it for way more than just pasta. (Though our pesto pasta salad IS pretty great too!) Try tossing your roasted potatoes with a couple tablespoons, or mix a spoonful into mayo for a ridiculously addictive dipping sauce.

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Who said summer dinners can’t be cozy? These stuffed shells are bursting with seasonal flavor from sweet corn, zucchini, and basil, but they also hit the comfort food spot thanks to the cheesy, rich ricotta.To keep these stuffed shells feeling light and bright, we’ve added a lemony punch to the ricotta filling. The lemon, fresh basil, and zucchini play beautifully off of one another, and pops of sweetness from corn bring the summer vibes all the way home.

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Sorry fancy restaurants, the secret is out: Steamed clams are SO easy to make at home. Here, they're paired with crispy bacon, fresh sweet corn kernels, and a glug of heavy cream for a decadent sauce, perfect for dunking grilled sourdough bread into. It only takes about 7 minutes to steam clams open—there's barely any trick to it. Now that you know how easy they are, try your hand at linguine with clams or harissa-spiced clams if you want a fiery twist.

Get the Steamed Clams with Bacon, Corn, and Basil recipe.

Summer, to us, is a huge bowl of panzanella in the center of the table: generous bronzed croutons tossed with chunks of juicy tomato, shallots, and torn basil in a bright vinaigrette. It might technically be called a salad, but you’ll probably find yourself snacking on our recipe for breakfast, dinner… and dessert.

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This totally delicious mashup of coconut rice and Thai basil chicken gets dinner done in one skillet and brings all the flavors of Thai cuisine you crave into your home with ingredients you can find in most grocery stores. Typically served over steamed rice, preparing Thai basil chicken with rich, creamy coconut rice is a great way to switch up the dish.

Get the One-Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken recipe.

When the weather warms up, we take every chance we can get to enjoy sweet corn at all our summer picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. While we love celebrating the versatile ingredient in all its forms, a fresh corn salad has to be one of our favorite ways to enjoy sweet summer corn. Not only is it completely adaptable to what you have on hand, it’s so easy to prepare—simply toss to combine, season to taste, and serve!

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With good quality tomatoes and mozzarella, all you really need for this caprese is some good olive oil, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Even the lightest sprinkling of salt on a slice of tomato helps to bring out the sweetness and the natural umami, so don't hold back!

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Grandma pizza has a thin, crispy crust topped first with cheese, then dolloped with a garlicky tomato sauce. It's not the usual way of assembling pizza, but the cheese melting right into the crust really makes some magic happen. Since it's traditionally made without a pizza oven, it's very easy to re-create this New York classic in your own home.

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A fan favorite at Trader Joe’s is their green goddess salad dressing; it’s simple and fresh with bright lemon flavor and creaminess thanks to avocado. We almost wonder how they can keep it in stock. So next time your local store runs out, you can make our copycat version instead. Everything blends together quickly and you’ll have a dressing that’s just as good on a Cobb salad as it is on a Greek salmon salad.

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This one-skillet breakfast quesadilla with tomato, basil, and feta will keep you satiated right through lunchtime. A pillowy omelet is attached to a crispy tortilla and then folded onto jammy cherry tomatoes, soft melting feta, and bright basil leaves. If you can master the tortilla-omelet flip, then you’re going to accomplish lots in the kitchen, we promise you. Wrap this in a piece of foil and eat on the go, or pair with a side salad and dig in with a fork for brunch.

Get the Tomato, Basil, Feta Omelet Quesadilla recipe.

Creamy Tuscan anything is a cult classic here at Delish, but this vegetarian version might be our new favorite. Featuring white beans, basil, and spinach swimming in a luxurious tomato cream sauce, this hearty skillet dinner is so comforting and satisfying, you’ll never miss the chicken.

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We’ve Caprese-d everything from pasta salad to focaccia to stuffed peppers, but these Caprese turkey burgers are something special. Crowned with melty mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil, this fresh twist on America’s perennial favorite will be a smash hit at every backyard BBQ and cookout around.

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If you haven't experienced the flavor combo of prosciutto + melon, get on it STAT. Paired with basil and balsamic glaze, it's the ultimate in sweet and salty.

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What isn’t pesto good in? It’s a sauce that turns any dish into kitchen gold, especially this totally comforting and delicious gnocchi and chicken bake. For the perfect pesto touch, stir a dollop into the tomato mixture to coat everything, then dollop the top with more right out of the oven for a fresh finish.

Get the Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet recipe.

Pad krapow is Thailand’s most popular stir-fry dish for a reason. It’s got saucy ground meat tossed with sliced bell peppers, spicy chiles, and a handful of fresh, sweet basil, served over steaming rice. As an added bonus, it’s usually accompanied by a runny fried egg, making this a filling and wallet-friendly meal. Our take on this super-simple dish is the perfect protein-packed meal prep that’ll keep you excited to eat all week.

Get the Thai-Inspired Basil Beef Bowls recipe.

During the summer, we can’t get enough of simple, refreshing salads that put fresh fruit at the forefront. Two of our favorites? The classic caprese, and our watermelon feta salad. We loved these two summer sides so much, we decided to combine them into one refreshing recipe. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?).

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Here is a dish that evokes summer in a skillet: There are just-burst cherry tomatoes, kernels of sweet summer corn, and basil-smothered chicken. Definitely make sure to drizzle every last drop of the garlicky cream sauce over your plate—it picks up all the flavors of the dish, making it one of the best parts. Like this flavor combination? Try our basil and feta corn salad next.

Get the Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet with Corn and Tomato recipe.

Basil-infused vodka brings out the sweetness of the herb and turns the spirit (and this cocktail) a lovely, vibrant green.

Get the Spiked Sparkling Basil Lemonade recipe.

Panzanella—an Italian salad made with dried bread cubes—is one of the most delicious versions of salad. The combination of roasted tomatoes, toasted bread coated with Parmesan, fragrant garlic, and mozzarella in this version basically tastes like pizza.

Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe.