Jarred pesto wins on speed; homemade pesto lets you choose the ingredients and can taste brighter in basil and garlic. Neither is always tastier or cheaper: recipes, brands, local prices, and personal preferences vary.
How do jarred and homemade pesto differ?
Traditional pesto commonly combines basil, pine nuts, garlic, hard cheese such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino, and extra virgin olive oil. Commercial pesto may use a different balance of ingredients, so the jar’s label matters more than the word “pesto” on its front.
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For example, CHOICE’s 2020 test of 13 Australian supermarket products found basil content ranging from 12.5% to 58%. Eleven products contained cashews, while five contained pine nuts; sunflower oil was the main oil in most of the products tested. Those results describe that particular Australian sample, not every jar currently available. See CHOICE’s pesto test and buying guide.
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Which tastes better?
It depends on the recipe, the jar, and the eater. In Bon Appétit’s small, recipe-specific comparison, tasters described the homemade batch as brighter in basil with a stronger garlic kick, while the store-bought pesto came across as cheesier and nuttier. Two tasters preferred homemade, one preferred the jarred version, and another was ambivalent. That is a snapshot of one comparison, not proof that homemade pesto always tastes better. Read Bon Appétit’s comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.5 oz traditional basil pesto sauce
- Made with authentic Italian cheeses
- Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and more
- Premium quality Italian sauce
- Whole Foods Market quality guaranteed
Jarred pesto can also do well in a blind tasting. Which? reported that a panel of 71 tasters testing 10 green pestos ranked Filippo Berio Classic Pesto first in that test. The result applies to those products and tasters; it does not establish a universal brand winner or guarantee availability outside the UK. Read Which?’s pesto taste test.
How should you compare the cost?
Published price examples are tied to particular amounts, places, and times, so they are not a reliable current price comparison. Bon Appétit’s author reported spending about $10 on ingredients for 1.5 cups of homemade pesto and $5.49 for a 3/4-cup store-bought container. CHOICE listed a tested product at $4.90 for a 190g jar, or $2.58 per 100g, based on Sydney-store prices in May and June 2020. Neither comparison establishes what pesto costs where you shop now.
Rank #2
- One (1) 8 oz jar of Prego Basil Pesto Sauce
- Thick and smooth sauce made with quality ingredients like real basil
- No added sugars, no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial colors
- With lots of Prego Sauce varieties and flavors to choose from, you can create easy and delicious recipes for the whole family
- Give your family the pleasing taste everyone loves with Prego
For a useful comparison, check current local prices per comparable weight or serving. For homemade pesto, count the quantities you will actually use, while accounting for ingredients already in your kitchen and any likely leftovers. A low package price does not necessarily mean a lower cost for the amount you need.
How much time and effort does each take?
Opening a jar avoids shopping for and preparing the separate ingredients. Homemade pesto takes preparation and cleanup; Bon Appétit’s author reported spending 40 minutes on a batch, including 15 minutes cleaning very sandy basil. That is one person’s experience, not a standard estimate for every recipe or kitchen.
Rank #3
- Smooth, creamy texture and timeless Italian flavor; ideal as spaghetti sauce for family dinners
- Blend of fragrant basil and grated cheeses
- Carefully crafted from high-quality Italian ingredients for cellentani pasta dishes
- Pairs perfectly with your favorite Barilla pasta and Barilla pasta sauce
- Can be also be added to sandwiches, served as a dip and more
A jar is convenient when you need a ready-made option without planning a batch. Making pesto yourself is more suited to cooks who want to control the ingredient mix or tailor a batch to a dish. The best fit also depends on how much you need: compare the amount a recipe calls for with the amount you would have to buy or make.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.7 oz vegan tomato pesto
- Made with premium ingredients
- Perfect for pasta and sandwiches
- Non-GMO verified
- Versatile plant-based sauce
Rank #4
- CLASSICO PESTO SAUCE: One 8.1 oz jar of Classico Signature Recipes Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce and Spread
- AUTHENTIC AND FLAVORFUL: Bring an authentic and delicious taste to your homemade dishes with our traditional basil pesto
- MADE WITH QUALITY INGREDIENTS YOU CAN SEE AND TASTE: Our pesto sauce is crafted with the perfect blend of basil, garlic and Parmesan
- PESTO PASTA SAUCE: Turn your next pasta dish into something special with the taste of Classico pesto sauce
- VERSATILE SPREAD: From sandwiches to homemade pizza, add our pesto spread to all of your favorite Italian-inspired recipes
What to check before choosing
- Flavor: Decide whether you prefer a more pronounced basil-and-garlic profile or the particular jar’s balance of cheese, nuts, salt, and herbs.
- Ingredients: Check the actual label for basil percentage, oil type, cheese, nuts, and any ingredients that conflict with your dietary needs.
- Cost: Compare current local prices for similar quantities, including ingredients you already own and potential waste.
- Effort: Weigh the shopping, preparation, and cleanup of making a batch against opening and portioning a ready-made sauce.
- Use: Choose based on whether you need a quick pantry option or want to tailor pesto to a particular recipe.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
