MyTastr

Best pesto (jarred & fresh), according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Genevieve Yam, Daniel Gritzer, Lee Musho, Francesca Zani and 5 more. Recommendations come from seriouseats.com, delish.com, tasteofhome.com and foodnetwork.com.

Pantry Staples · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Gotham Greens Fresh Classic Pesto (refrigerated)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Clear winner of Serious Eats’ blind tasting of 23 store-bought pestos (2026): vibrant green, chunky, with a traditional Genovese ingredient list (EVOO, Genovese basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pine nuts, garlic, sea salt) and no starches or stabilizers. “One of the few that could have actually been made with a mortar and pestle” (Yam); “most balanced of the bunch” (Gritzer). Also #1 of eight in Delish’s test: “I’d certainly recommend purchasing this over making pesto at home yourself” (Zani).
    Where to buy · gothamgreens.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: seriouseats.com ↗
  2. 2

    Seggiano Fresh Basil Pesto

    Chosen by
    Best Overall of eight in Taste of Home’s panel tasting, the one that “actually tasted like fresh basil”: Ligurian basil, olive oil, cashews and pine nuts, chunky like homemade. Vegan, though tasters still picked up Parmesan-like notes. Stir well; it’s oil-rich.
    Where to buy · seggiano.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: tasteofhome.com ↗
  3. 3

    Kirkland Signature Fresh Basil Pesto (refrigerated)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Runner-up in Serious Eats’ blind tasting of 23 (2026), a top pick for several tasters: bright green, coarse, with “little pops and crunches of nuts” and an herbaceous character. Pecorino Romano alongside Parmesan adds savory depth that suits pork chops or roast chicken. “If Gotham Greens isn’t available near you, this is an excellent alternative.” Costco only. Las Vegas chef Alicia Shevetone keeps the big jar on hand: “Think of it as a flavor bomb that will add dimension to whatever you’re making.”
    Where to buy · costco.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: seriouseats.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best pesto (jarred & fresh), according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Gotham Greens Fresh Classic Pesto (refrigerated), chosen by Lee Musho, Genevieve Yam and Daniel Gritzer (Serious Eats); Francesca Zani (Delish). Clear winner of Serious Eats’ blind tasting of 23 store-bought pestos (2026): vibrant green, chunky, with a traditional Genovese ingredient list (EVOO, Genovese basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pine nuts, garlic, sea salt) and no starches or stabilizers. “One of the few that could have actually been made with a mortar and pestle” (Yam); “most balanced of the bunch” (Gritzer). Also #1 of eight in Delish’s test: “I’d certainly recommend purchasing this over making pesto at home yourself” (Zani). Source: seriouseats.com ↗
What are the other top picks for pesto (jarred & fresh)?
No. 2 is Seggiano Fresh Basil Pesto, chosen by Allison Cebulla (Taste of Home); Monica Ganos (Taste of Home); Josh Rink (Taste of Home). No. 3 is Kirkland Signature Fresh Basil Pesto (refrigerated), chosen by Lee Musho; Megan Steintrager (Serious Eats). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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