Give your butter an upgrade by adding basil pesto! It is an easy way, has simple ingredients, and tastes just like the Costco basil pesto butter recipe. It goes perfectly over salmon fillets, hot pasta, on a sandwich, or grilled chicken!
Grab the ingredients next time you head to the grocery store and use this Costco basil pesto butter to make some flavorful salmon, I promise it is a great recipe!
This recipe is for all my Costco lovers who want to replicate the Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano. All you need is some fresh salmon, this delicious pesto butter recipe, and some fresh dill.
This Costco basil pesto butter recipe would go great with warm, homemade Texas Roadhouse Rolls for a holiday or family gathering.
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Ingredients Needed
Butter - I use unsalted in this recipe.
Basil - I like to use either basil paste or fresh basil leaves.
Garlic - I prefer to use fresh minced garlic cloves or garlic from a jar for most recipes, this one included!
Parmesan Cheese - Use the grated parmesan cheese.
Pine Nuts - Pine nuts add a light nutty flavor to the pesto and butter. If you have trouble finding them, swap for walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
Salt
Black Pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Costco Basil Pesto Butter Recipe
Add ingredients to the food processor - Add everything but the butter into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
Add butter - Add the softened butter and pulse until all ingredients are well blended.
Refrigerate - Place in an airtight container and store it in the fridge.
Hint: If you have a hard time finding good, fresh basil, try using a container of basil paste instead.
Substitutions
Sometimes it is hard to find certain ingredients - here are some helpful ideas when this happens.
Pine nuts - Instead of pine nuts, try almonds, walnuts, or pistachios.
Fresh basil - If your basil goes bad faster than you can use it, try basil paste. You could also try other fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for the pesto base.
Parmesan cheese - If you do not have parmesan cheese, you can use grated pecorino romano cheese instead.
Variations
Add some spice - Adding red chili pepper flakes into the food processor with the ingredients.
Lemon zest - A delicious way to add in some zing is by putting lemon zest into the homemade pesto butter.
Busy weeknights - Buying jarred pesto instead of making your own pesto sauce and add it to the food processor with the butter.
Equipment
Food processor - I love a good power food processor! I like to use my Cuisinart.
Storage
Store the basil butter in an airtight container in the fridge. Good for 7-10 days.
Top tip
If you purchase fresh basil, I recommend placing them in a mason jar or glass cup with it half full of water to keep the herbs fresher and for best results!
FAQ
Typically butter is blended in a food processor with fresh basil, garlic (garlic powder or minced garlic), grated parmesan, and pine nuts.
For their basil pesto salmon recipe, they put this basil pesto butter on it!
In my opinion, I think butter is a great way to cook with salmon!
An internal temperature of 145°F and you should have flaky salmon.
Other Delicious Basil Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try my Chicken Caprese Salad.
Copycat Costco Basil Pesto Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted and softened
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add everything but the butter into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
- Add the softened butter and pulse until all ingredients are well blended.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook salmon to a minimum temperature of 145°F - use a meat thermometer to check!
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Martha
How much prepared pesto should I add to the butter if not making everything from scratch?
Katharine @ Be Well Table
I would add about 1 cup! You could do a little more if you want a stronger basil taste. Enjoy!