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Discover The Buzzy Ingredient That Everyone's Calling The New Chia Seed
Think of them as chia seeds on steroids.
Where to find basil seeds and 5 ways to use them.
Basil seeds are not as common as chia seeds, and you might struggle to find them in your local grocery store, at least for now—although, we get the sense that's going to change, with big spice brands like McCormick starting to hype them up. Right now, basil seeds are readily available on Amazon (try these ones from Zen Basil), and you can often find them at Indian, Thai, or Middle Eastern grocery stores or specialty markets. Now, onto the fun part:
1. A digestive aid
The most basic way to consume basil seeds for a digestive boost and a nice dose of fiber? Combine 1 teaspoon basil seeds with 1 cup of water, allow it to "steep" for about 10 minutes (the seeds will bulk up and form an impressive gel), and then sip.
2. A seed cooler
You can literally mix basil seeds into any drink or smoothie for some fun added texture. For a refreshing summer sipper, try combining the juice of half a lemon, 1 cup of cold water, 1 tablespoon basil seeds, a drizzle of maple syrup (or your sweetener of choice), and a few fresh basil leaves.
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3. In salad dressing
Bosworth told me one of her favorite ways to use basil seeds is to make salad dressings. The basil seeds keep things naturally emulsified, eliminating the need for oil. While you can get creative with your flavor combinations, we love this mango basil seed dressing featuring basil seeds, mango nectar, white balsamic, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper.
4. Overnight basil seed pudding
For a spin on chia pudding, with a subtle herbal-floral flavor that we love, try basil seed pudding. While you can switch up your flavor-boosting add-ins, this is a good basic formula: 1 cup coconut milk + 2 tablespoons basil seeds. Simply mix, cover, and refrigerate overnight to yield two servings. Top with a little fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
5. In yogurt dip
Basil seeds are also a nice way to add a thick, creamy texture (and a fun crunch) to healthy yogurt-based dips. Try this apricot basil seed yogurt dip recipe, featuring apricot, Greek yogurt, turmeric, ginger, and a bit of sea salt. It's delicious as a fruit or veggie dip, or you can even dollop it onto grilled meats and veggies as a finishing sauce.
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Stephanie Eckelkamp Wellness Editor
Stephanie is a writer and editor who has been working for leading health publications for the past 10 years. She received her B.S. in journalism from Syracuse University.
