Bowl of pesto next to basil leaves

The Best Store-Bought Pesto Available At The Supermarket

NEWS

By LAUREN GRECO

10. Rao's

Rao's Homemade Basil Pesto falls low on the list due to the $4.99 price tag and small quantity. Plus, it uses cheaper ingredients like cashews, sunflower oil, and sugar.

9. Alessi

The ingredients in Alessi’s pesto seem quite straightforward, but the color is a tad off-putting, leaning into a more brown hue rather than the traditional bright green.
Its ingredients include basil, pecorino cheese, garlic, pine nuts, and Alessi's white balsamic vinegar. Unfortunately, the addition of acidity leaves it further down on the list.

8. Barilla

Barilla's pesto is not overwhelmingly cheesy or garlicky, so it’s pleasurable to the average palate. Its availability and retail price point of $3.64 are also convincing.
However, it lacks the use of pine nuts. Although Barilla is a decent option for a lot of people, it falls into the industrial product category that doesn't give you a unique taste.

7. Trader Joe's

Priced at less than $4 per 8-ounce container, Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto takes on a different approach with the addition of cashews and kale.
Instead of basil, kale takes the lead as the main ingredient in the pesto, offering a unique flavor profile. Creamy cashew butter takes the center stage, replacing the Parmesan.

6. Saclà

What sets Saclà’s pesto apart is its generous inclusion of basil, boasting a remarkable 36%. This abundance of basil yields an intense, fresh aroma and a bright green hue.
However, the addition of cheaper ingredients, like sunflower seed oil, a cheese mixture, and cashews, creates potential drawbacks and keeps the Saclà brand from being a top choice.