Second only to tomato, basil pesto sauce might just be the most beloved way to dress up a bowl of pasta! Its rich yet fresh flavor profile pairs well with just about anything--from roasted vegetables and grilled proteins to hearty grains and sweet seafood.
Making a batch of this green stuff can be an effort, which is why we love store bought pesto oh so much! There are actually a load of options to choose from and we gathered a dozen and a half of the most popular options and set out to pit them against one another. Which store bought pesto sauce will prove the most popular? Read on to find out!
Table of Contents
What is Pesto?
Pesto is an herbaceous, oil-based sauce traditionally made from fresh basil, pine nuts, other tree nuts, olive oil, and seasonings. Many pestos also include parmesan cheese for a salty, savory kick.
Products We Tested
We taste tested the following 18 brands and varieties of refrigerated and jarred pestos:
- Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto
- Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto
- Bear Pond Farm Premium Basil Pesto
- Classico Traditional Basil Pesto
- Delallo 'Simply Pesto' Traditional Basil
- Filippo Berio Classic Pesto
- Fratelli Mantova Vegan Basil Pesto
- Giovanni Rana Basil Pesto
- Good & Gather Basil Pesto
- Gotham Greens Spicy Pesto
- Le Grand Classic Pesto
- Nuovo Pasta Classic Basil Genovese Pesto
- Rao's Homemade Basil Pesto
- Sclafani Pesto alla Genovese
- Seggiano Fresh Basil Pesto Genovese
- Stonewall Kitchen Basil Pesto
- Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew, & Basil Pesto
- Whole Foods Market Basil Pesto
How We Tested
Our aim for this taste test and review was to select the best store bought pesto sauces from each of the following categories:
- Best Classic Basil
- Best Cheesy
- Best Spicy
- Best Allergen Friendly
- Best Traditional Italian
- Best Unique
- Best Budget
- Best Premium
We first tasted each pesto by itself, then paired each pesto with common companions such as cooked pasta or sliced bread.
After all evaluations were complete, we graded each test subject according to the following 4 criteria:
- Taste & Texture: looking at flavor notes and overall consistency of each product.
- Value: price per ounce.
- Ingredients: considering the quantity and quality of ingredients in each product as well as nutrition content.
- Production: taking into account factors of manufacture, distribution, availability, sustainability, and packaging.
Best Classic Basil
Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.6 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.6 / 5.0
The flavor here is deeply savory thanks to the inclusion of authentic Italian grana padano and pecorino cheeses, plus umami rich yeast extract.
There is plenty of herby flavor thanks to fresh basil and additional natural basil flavor. Our tasting panel loved the textural interest provided by rough chopped garlic as well as the loose consistency that makes tossing pasta a breeze.
Value: 4.7 / 5.0
We rank this pesto as a middle of the road option, with the per-ounce cost working out to $0.60.
Ingredients: 4.7 / 5.0
We love the choice to use PDO (protected designation of origin) cheeses here as they offer the utmost authenticity and quality. There are several allergens at play in addition to the expected milk and cashew ingredients, this one also contains egg products and may contain other tree nuts.
It is low in calories with just 190 per serving, as well as is low in total fat and saturated fats with just 18g and 2g respectively.
Production: 4.5 / 5.0
No major production or packaging notes here, aside from the fact that this product is non-GMO project verified.
Why We Picked It:
Barilla’s Rustic Basil Pesto is the best jarred pesto we tested, offering an affordable and all-around classic experience. It packs plenty of basil flavor, has a workable texture, and is made using not one but two high quality PDO Italian cheeses. We also love that it is lower in calories and fats as compared to many of the other pestos we tested.
What We Didn’t Like:
This option contains egg derived ingredients and may be exposed to other tree nuts during processing, making it not the most allergen friendly.
Where to Buy: Target, Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, BJ’s Club, Albertsons, and more
Best Cheesy
Rao's Homemade Basil Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.4 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
A top pick in our pizza sauce countdown, Rao’s is nailing it in the pesto department too. We love the chunky texture of this homemade pesto and the prominent cheesy, savory flavor.
Unfortunately this one takes on a bit of an overly salty flavor and we think they should have dialed it back on the addition of sea salt.
Value: 4.7 / 5.0
At just $4.29 for the 6.7-ounce jar, this one works out to $0.64 per ounce which is comfortably less than the average $1.00/oz we encountered!
Ingredients: 4.4 / 5.0
Where most pestos we tested--like Whole Foods Market Basil Pesto--were made with a blend of olive oils, this option is made entirely with sunflower oil, which we think takes away from the traditional flavor a bit.
And, this pesto is indeed salty, with a whopping 980 mg of sodium per serving--the highest we encountered. It does, however, provide over 10% your DV of calcium!
Production: 4.4 / 5.0
We really loved the unique octagonally shaped glass jar, and the fact that this pesto comes from an Italian based company which has been cooking up authentic prepared goods since 1896!
On an appearance note, we did feel that this pesto has more of a yellow coloring as opposed to the bright, fresh green that some other brands offered.
Why We Picked It:
Our tasting panel loved the super cheesy flavor and chunky texture offered by Rao's Homemade Basil Pesto as well as the middle of the road price point and moderate dose of calcium!
It comes packed in an eye-catching jar and we feel good supporting such an established Italian grocery company that still does things the old-school way.
What We Didn’t Like:
This option is not as fresh looking as other, bright green pestos we tried. Also, all of that cheese can’t help but leave this sauce overly salty, with almost 1000mg of sodium per serving.
Where to Buy: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Thrive Market, and more
Best Spicy
Gotham Greens Spicy Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.7 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.5 / 5.0
For a more unique pesto flavor profile, we love this pick from Gotham Greens! It packs a pleasant amount of heat which is perfectly balanced by acidity, nuttiness, and plenty of fresh basil.
We really enjoyed the texture of this pesto as it is cohesive, smooth, and easy to work with--making it a great option for punching up the flavor in any dish.
Value: 4.5 / 5.0
This option is on the more expensive end of things, costing us $1.35 per ounce.
Ingredients: 5.0 / 5.0
This pesto gets its heat from two spicy sources: fresh jalapeños and dried red pepper flakes. The remainder of the ingredients list is super simple and easy to understand, featuring wholesome ingredients like fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and sea salt.
Production: 4.7 / 5.0
Gotham Greens got its start in Brooklyn NY, with the goal of making high quality, fresh produce sustainable and more accessible to the residents of New York City.
The downside is that as an up and coming company, their products are not yet available in all markets. And, we noticed this pesto has a much shorter shelf life than others.
Why We Picked It:
We found the flavor of those hot chile peppers to be a welcome addition to the bright, fresh, herbaceous base of this pesto. The texture is--in a word--lovely, and it features natural, whole food ingredients.
What We Didn’t Like:
Products from this company are likely not available nationwide just yet and this option has a shorter than usual shelf life.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, FreshDirect, Jewel-Osco, King, and more
Best Allergen Friendly
Fratelli Mantova Vegan Basil Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.5 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
Our tasting panel gave this pesto high marks in the texture category, for its finely blended, cohesive consistency. Taste-wise however, it wasn’t the favorite. It is only lightly seasoned and ends up tasting a little plain when stretched across a bowl of pasta, so you might find yourself using more of it.
Value: 4.5 / 5.0
At $0.86 per ounce, we think this one offers decent value. It’s not the most affordable but considering the specialty nature of this one, we think it's a fair buy.
Ingredients: 4.5 / 5.0
Instead of being thickened by nuts and cheeses, this pesto relies on tofu for its cohesion. Smart!
It is made from a limited number of other ingredients, which is great news for anyone with food allergies! Where most pestos contain nut, seed, and/or dairy ingredients, the only major food allergen here is soy. Each serving has just 2g of saturated fats--the lowest we encountered.
Production: 4.6 / 5.0
Fratelli Mantova is doing things differently, making a pesto option that is completely plant based and free from most allergens. Plus, it’s a keto friendly pick!
Why We Picked It:
Though there are other nut/seed free pesto options we tried, this is the only one we found to be free from dairy as well! It has a smooth and well blended texture thanks to the ingenious use of tofu as a binding agent and is vegan as well as keto-friendly.
What We Didn’t Like:
The flavor of this pesto was a little off for us, reading as more tangy than savory and overall a bit bland. Also, it is on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
Where to Buy: Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, Stop & Shop, and more
Best Traditional Italian
Seggiano Fresh Basil Pesto Genovese
Overall Rank: 4.8 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
Of all the jarred and refrigerated pestos we tested, this option from Seggiano is the one we found ourselves going back to for more! It bears a sweet and vibrant basil flavor that is nicely complimented by both cashew and pine nuts.
The texture is chunky in a pleasant and interesting way that leaves you feeling like the sauce was homemade just for you!
Value: 4.4 / 5.0
We loved this pesto, but we have a hard time justifying the price tag of $12.00 per 7-ounce jar!
Ingredients: 5.0 / 5.0
In traditional Italian fashion, this pesto is made from just five ingredients: high quality olive oil, cashew nuts, certified origin Ligurian basil, sea salt, and pine nuts. It offers 5 full grams of plant based protein per serving but also is very high in calories, total fat, and saturated fat.
Production: 4.7 / 5.0
This pesto is unpasteurized, which explains the super fresh taste and lovely green appearance. Each jar is made from at least 30% fresh basil leaves which are “preserved in olive oil within hours of handpicking”.
While we did find this product in Whole Foods/Amazon, their distribution generally seems more limited as compared to other brands.
Why We Picked It:
This pesto was a flavor favorite according to our tasting panel and has a lovely rustic texture. It is made from just 5 high quality ingredients of Italian origin. As compared to other jarred pestos such as Rao’s Homemade, this option is brilliantly green and fresh due to careful sourcing and handling.
What We Didn’t Like:
This is one of the most expensive options we tested and aside from being sold by Whole Foods/Amazon, is not stocked by most major grocery stores.
Where to Buy: Amazon, Whole Foods, Giant, and some independent grocers
Best Unique
Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew, & Basil Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.7 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.8 / 5.0
We found this kale-based pesto has a wonderful fresh flavor which is perfectly bright and not near as oily as most other pestos we tested.
The kale provides a bit of vegetal crunch while the overall flavor still reads like basil. It’s worth noting, the texture here is a bit more watery though.
Value: 5.0 / 5.0
This 8-ounce tub of specialty pesto costs just $4.00, and is by far one of the cheapest yet highest quality options we encountered.
Ingredients: 4.8 / 5.0
Unlike traditional basil pesto which gets all of its verdant flavor and color from the basil itself, this option makes use of kale! To the greens, a cashew butter mixture is added along with garlic, lemon, salt, and black pepper. This option is low in calories, fats, and sodium too.
Production: 4.5 / 5.0
Like all products carried by this retailer, the availability is limited as you can really only get this option directly from one of TJ’s brick-and-mortar outposts.
Why We Picked It:
The unique flavor profile that kale brings to the table here is equal parts interesting and delicious! It tastes heartier yet is lighter on the oil content, making it a healthier pick as compared to other fat and sodium laden options like that from Seggiano. The price point is excellent as well.
What We Didn’t Like:
We don’t have too many complaints about this pesto option! Just make note of the higher water content in this one before you count on it being as thick and rich as traditional pesto. Also, you can only get this one at Trader Joes, so hopefully you have one of their stores in your area!
Where to Buy: Trader Joe’s
Best Budget
Whole Foods Market Basil Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.6 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 4.6 / 5.0
This basic store brand basil pesto from Whole Foods has a ton of bright acidity and herby flavor and we noticed that a little goes a long way here when dressing cooked pasta.
We didn’t love the texture though, as it is on the thicker, drier side of things and was not as easy to stir or mix into your dish. Also, some of the herb bits in the pesto are a little tough and woody.
Value: 5.0 / 5.0
This one wins the affordability title as the 6.5-ounce jar is just $3.00, and it’s made from high quality ingredients to boot.
Ingredients: 4.5 / 5.0
This pesto is made with authentic Italian cheeses like Parmesan and Pecorino Romano. Organic basil is the first ingredient, followed by other flavorful additions like garlic, oregano, black pepper, and rosemary extract.
Also, each 2 TB serving provides a full 3 g of dietary fiber!
Production: 4.3 / 5.0
This product is a part of the non-GMO project club, but be warned, it has some allergen exposure. In addition to the tree nuts, cashews, pine nuts, and milk ingredients on the label, it also may contain peanuts.
Why We Picked It:
This pesto is a flavor packed pick, for the lowest price! It’s made with organic basil and two Italian cheeses. Unlike many of the other pestos we tried which had little to no nutritive benefit, this one provides over 10% your DV of fiber.
What We Didn’t Like:
The texture is too thick and dry to easily stir into pasta. Also, there are a bunch of food allergens and exposures to be aware of on this one.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods
Best Premium
Le Grand Classic Pesto
Overall Rank: 4.8 / 5.0
Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
This unique pesto from Maison Le Grand is a party of flavors--from the fresh and forward taste of parsley to cool basil and tart lemon. It is actually made with four types of nuts--cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and pine nuts--resulting in a rich and hearty taste like no other.
Value: 4.6 / 5.0
Even though this option is one of the most expensive, $7.80 for the 5.5-ounce pouch, or $1.42 per ounce we still gave it a relatively high value score for the fact that it contains such a range of costly, high quality ingredients.
Ingredients: 5.0 / 5.0
Le Grand’s pesto is made with 100% fresh herbs--no dried, flavorless leaves here--and fresh lemon juice. It also contains only sheep’s milk cheese, which is great news for anyone with a cow’s milk sensitivity! Plus, each serving provides 4 grams of protein.
Production: 4.7 / 5.0
We have mixed feelings about the cool looking pouch this pesto is packaged in. While it does seem handy, we did find it to be a bit messier and we actually spilled trying to pour from it ourselves.
Also, there is bound to be some waste as you can’t really get all of the product out of such a package.
Why We Picked It:
The choice to use fresh ingredients here--all the way from the herbs to the lemon juice--makes a big difference in the flavor, and we really enjoyed the unique blend of nuts in this pesto as well. It is made with high quality ingredients, free from cow’s milk, and has a decent protein content.
What We Didn’t Like:
The pouch packaging is cool and innovative, but we actually found it harder to utilize and less practical than regular jars or tubs.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, Amazon, Wegmans, and some independent grocers
FAQs
Is Jarred Pesto Ready to Eat?
Yes! Whether sealed in a shelf stable jar or stored in a tub in the refrigerated section, store bought pesto is ready to eat as is, or to use as an ingredient in both cooked and raw dishes.
Is Store Bought Pesto Unhealthy?
With a high proportion of oils, nuts, and cheeses, most store bought pestos are pretty high in fats. That said, most pestos are full of fresh and high quality ingredients--just be sure to pay attention to portion size if fat and/or sodium intake are a concern.
Why is Jarred Pesto Covered in Olive Oil?
The layer of oil found atop most pestos is there to protect that tender basil from oxidizing--that is, turning brown when exposed to air. To make your pesto last longer, try to replace this layer of oil before storing any unused portion in the fridge.
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