To make things fair, I turned this into a blind taste test. My husband played “pesto sommelier” and spooned each one onto a plate in a randomized order. Only he knew which brand was which until after the tasting was complete. I tasted each pesto with a spoon and then again with a small bite of plain, gluten-free pasta to see how it held up. I didn’t know what I was eating until all notes were taken and favorites were chosen. That way, brand loyalty or packaging couldn’t sway me. I was looking for balanced flavor, consistency and how it performed in a real bite.For the contenders, I picked up as many different brands as I could at the stores near my home. I included major brands from big grocery stores, plus store-brand options from places like Target and Aldi. I included both jarred pestos and the refrigerated tubs to see if there was a significant difference between the two formats.Related: We Ranked 12 Olive Oil Brands and You Can Buy the Winner at Whole Foods
What Makes a Good Pesto?
A good basil pesto should be vibrant in both color and flavor. Visually, it should be a rich, deep green that is fresh-looking, not dull or brownish. The texture should be smooth with a little rustic texture from the nuts and cheese, but not overly oily or watery. It needs to cling to the pasta rather than slipping right off it.
After blind taste-testing 11 different store-bought basil pestos, from budget-friendly options to premium picks, I confirmed that not all pestos are created equal.Aroma-wise, fresh basil should hit your nose immediately with an earthy, herbaceous and lightly peppery smell. That should be followed by the nuttiness of pine nuts or other seeds, and the savory note of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese. Garlic should be present but not overpowering. You want balance, not a garlic bomb (even if you love garlic, like I do).The flavor should be layered. First, there’s the brightness of basil and the sharpness of cheese. That should be backed by a subtle warmth from garlic and just enough salt to enhance everything without dominating. A touch of acidity (like lemon juice) can lift the flavors, and a good pesto should have enough olive oil to feel luxurious but not greasy. Bad pesto tastes flat, bitter, too salty or overly processed. Great pesto tastes alive and fresh.After eating my way through the 11 options, the winner was clear. Read on for all of the details and to find the best pesto for you.Related: I Juiced Lemons Using 6 Different Methods and the Winner Was Very Clear
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11 Store-Bought Pesto Sauces, Ranked from Worst to Best
11. Weis Signature Collection Pesto Genovese ($2.49)
This local store-brand pesto was too salty, with a strange, thick, yet somehow mushy texture. It lacked depth and was overall so bad that we had to eat extra pasta to get the taste out of our mouths. My husband thought I was being dramatic, but he gagged when he took a bite of this pesto.Related: I Tried 14 Bottled Caesar Salad Dressings and the Winner Totally Surprised Me
10. Great Value Basil Pesto ($1.98)
My first thought was that this tasted like what I imagine canned spinach is like. It had an artificial aftertaste and it was a bit too oily and flat. This pesto is budget-friendly, but the flavor just didn’t hold up.
9. Rana Basil Pesto ($4.79)
Going into the taste test, I thought this pesto might be a fan favorite because it's a refrigerated type vs. a jarred option. It had a very strong smell when I first opened it, and a creamy texture, but it also had a strong citrus flavor. The basil tasted dull, and I got more of a lemon and herb flavor than pesto. This would be good for a sandwich spread, but I wasn't sold on it as a pairing for pasta.
8. Filippo Berio Classic Pesto ($3.89)
This pesto had a nice, thick texture, but the flavor was a little too mild. There was a strong garlic smell from the jar, but I didn't get much of a garlic flavor. In fact, I didn't get much flavor at all. Related: The 12 Best Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls, Ranked
7. Buitoni Basil Pesto ($5.99)
This was another refrigerated pesto that fell flat. It had a dense texture, beautiful color and nice basil scent, but it also had the sweetest flavor of the other pestos I tried, which I wasn't expecting. There was also a strong aftertaste of cheese. I could see this being great on top of a salad, but it's not something I'd want to toss with pasta.
6. Rao’s Homemade Basil Pesto ($6.49)
I love Rao's tomato sauces, so I was excited to try this pesto. It was rich and thick, but not dense. The flavor was a perfect mix of pine nuts and basil, but it was a bit too salty, which overpowered the herb flavor.Related: I Tried 24 Rao's Sauces and the Winner Tastes 100% Homemade
5. Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto ($3.29)
This pesto had more garlic flavor than all of the others, which I thought overpowered the flavor of the basil. That said, the texture was great with chunks of fresh garlic strewn throughout. It had a rustic feel and look, and the smell was very nice and light. This is a safe pick when you’re in a pinch, especially for garlic lovers.
4. Mezzetta Basil Pesto ($5.49)
This pesto had a good balance of flavors—herbs, salt, nuts and garlic—with a nice hint of lemon at the end. It was slightly gritty in texture, but it was the perfect thickness with enough oil to coat a plate of pasta, but it still stuck to my one noodle during testing. It didn't rank higher, though, because it just didn't stand out when compared to the top three.If you want something that acts as a mild sauce that won't overpower the rest of your dish, this is a solid choice.Related: The Italian Way to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich 10x Better
3. Good & Gather Basil Pesto ($2.99)
This Target store-brand option was a hidden gem for me! If you want something that feels a bit elevated, this is the one. I told my husband it reminded me of Pinot Grigio for some reason, and when I read the description on the jar, it said that was one of the flavors of the pesto. They nailed it!This pesto had a fresh taste, a solid balance of flavors, and a smooth texture with good chunks of pine nuts. This doesn't feel like it came from a jar, but it also wasn't a true pesto flavor, so that's why it ranked third. I will buy it again, though!
2. Priano alla Genovese Pesto Sauce ($2.29)
I was pleasantly surprised that this Aldi pesto ranked so high. It had the perfect pesto texture and flavor, with a hint of salt on the back end. It was vibrant, fragrant and perfectly balanced.My only complaint is that it may have had just a bit too much olive oil, but that could be because I didn't stir it well enough. If you see this at your local Aldi, it's definitely worth picking up!
1. Classico Traditional Basil Pesto ($3.98)
This blind taste test really confirmed what my family already suspected—not all pestos are created equal. While a few were dull, too thick, too salty or lacked that fresh basil punch, others surprised us with their brightness, balance and boldness.
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