This Umami-Packed Ingredient Cranks Store-Bought Pesto Up A Notch

Peek into any pasta lover's kitchen, and you're bound to find a jar of pesto tucked away somewhere. This vibrant green sauce, with its aromatic blend of herbs and other ingredients, can turn even the plainest plate of pasta into a delicious meal with just a few spoonfuls slathered on top. While homemade pesto is undoubtedly the gold standard, not everyone has the time or energy to whip up a fresh batch from scratch. That's where store-bought pesto comes to the rescue — it's quick, convenient, and more importantly, it gets the job done.

Its flavor, however, can be rather disappointing. But what if we told you there's a way to boost the flavor of lackluster store-bought pesto and bring it closer to the level of homemade basil pesto? And better yet, you don't need much: just a couple of sun-dried tomatoes!

Sun-dried tomatoes are packed full of umami, often described as the "fifth taste." It's a savory, meaty flavor that can add depth and complexity to anything — pesto included. By incorporating sun-dried tomatoes into your store-bought pesto, you can round out its flavor profile and bring it closer to the freshly made stuff.

Part of the reason why ripe tomatoes taste so great is the presence of a compound called monosodium glutamate. Doesn't sound familiar? It's more commonly known by its shortened name — MSG. When these juicy red fruits are left out in the sun to dry, that umami flavor gets even more concentrated, giving sun-dried tomatoes an irresistibly strong flavor. It's exactly what we'd want in a flavor booster for our pesto, and the reason why recipes like this parsley pesto with sun-dried tomatoes work so well.

If you're unfamiliar with sun-dried tomatoes, you can find them in cans at most grocery stores in one of two forms: either packed in oil or dry-packed. While both work well, we suggest reaching for the dry-packed variety. The oil-packed version may come with herbed-and-spiced cooking oil, which could clash with the flavor of your pesto.

To incorporate it into your store-bought pesto, simply chop up a few sun-dried tomatoes and add the chunks to the sauce. Then, using a food processor or an immersion blender, blend the two together until the final sauce becomes smooth and creamy. That's all you have to do! Give it a taste and add extra seasoning if needed.

Can't find or not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes? Don't worry! There are plenty of other ingredients that can give your store-bought pesto that same umami boost. One easy alternative is capers. Just like with sun-dried tomatoes, toss a few capers into your sauce and blend them in with a food processor or immersion blender, and these savory buds will lend the thin-tasting sauce its umami punch.

Next on the list is nutritional yeast. It's not exactly a common pantry staple, but if you have some around, powderize the flakes, mix them into your pesto, and stir (or blend) well to combine. Aside from giving your pesto a rich, savory flavor, the yeast — as its name suggests — will fortify your pesto with extra nutrients like vitamin B12 and fiber, too.

And last but not least, for those who love a fusion twist, there's miso paste. Miso is practically the definition of umami, being made from fermented soybeans. A small dollop won't just add flavor, but you can count on it to give your pesto an extra layer of depth and complexity as well. Remember, these are just a few suggestions to get you started. Go ahead and experiment with different store-bought pesto upgrades until you find one that suits your taste. Who knows? You might just find one combo that'll become your signature sauce!