Tomatoes with Mint Basil Pesto
Updated Nov 15, 2025
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Ready in 10 minutes, this cummery pesto is a terrific topping for ripe tomatoes, and can be used in so many different ways!
This refreshing herbal pesto is just the thing to make when you have leftover herbs, or when your garden is exploding with mint and basil in the mid to late summer. It takes less than 10 minutes to make, and it’s delightful spooned over sliced ripe tomatoes, which are also in season at the very same time. The ultimate summary side dish!
This makes a terrific accompaniment for any end of summer meal. It can also sit out at room temperature, so it’s a great make-ahead dish, and can hang out on a buffet at a cookout for a couple of hours and stay fresh. Consider putting the tomatoes on some amazing grilled bruschetta as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh basil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil – This makes a pretty thick pesto, and you can add some additional olive oil if you like.
- Freshly grated Parmesan
- Sliced tomatoes to serve
(If you’re wondering where the nuts are, they are intentionally missing – I’m allergic.)
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How to Make Mint Basil Pesto
- Place the mint, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or a food processor and process to blend, scraping down the sides.
- Drizzle in the olive it until it becomes a loose paste, adding as much as needed to get to the texture you like. Pulse in the Parmesan.
- Drizzle and dollop over tomatoes.
Storing
This will keep for about 3 days in a tightly covered container in the fridge. Pesto freezes very nicely, so if you want to make extra and keep it on hand for those times of year when fresh herbs are less bountiful, you’ll be happy you did!
Way to Use Mint Basil Pesto
This pesto is also great tossed with some steamed potatoes or hot rice or pasta. Or spooned over Grilled Chicken Breasts. Also, you may want to make extra, and then this quick Pasta with Edamame, Mint, and Basil Pesto dinner is ready in the time it takes to actually cook that pasta.
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Tomatoes with Mint Basil Pesto
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil (or more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- Sliced tomatoes (to serve)
Instructions
- Place the mint, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or a food processor and process to blend, scraping down the sides. Drizzle in the olive it until it becomes a loose paste, adding as much as needed to get to the texture and concentration you like. Pulse in the Parmesan.
- Drizzle and dollop over tomatoes.
Notes
- This makes a pretty thick pesto, and you can add some additional olive oil if you like.
- Consider putting the tomatoes on some amazing grilled or toasted bread.
So excited to find some mint recipes!! I have a ton of mint at this time in summer and I need recipes that help me get creative!
really fresh and pretty- love the use of mint here and have tons growing in my garden in the summer so this will become a regular at my table!
yes, a great way to use up a surplus of mint!!