Can Basil Stems Be Eaten

If you do have an excess of basil, catch it before it’s too late and blend it into a classic pesto, or chop and freeze in ice cube trays to add to dishes at a later date. As with any soft herbs, the stalks are edible and delicious, too, and will add depth of flavour to all kinds of dishes.

Are basil stems poisonous?

Basil flowers, like the rest of the plant, are considered to be non-toxic to domesticated animals such as dogs, cats and horses under normal circumstances. Basil flowers and leaves do contain plant compounds that can be harmful to their digestive systems when consumed in mass quantities, though.

Do you need to remove basil stems?

You can remove just a few stems to flavor your dinner or cut the plant back by a third to gather enough basil to make pesto or to preserve. When clipping back basil for harvesting or to stimulate growth, cut the stems back to a healthy set of leaf buds.