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Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

Pesto Salad Dressing


Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Cook Time :0 minutes mins
Total Time :5 minutes mins
Servings :2 Cups
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Close up of a bowl of pesto dressing with a spoon digging in.
Pesto dressing in a bowl with a spoon digging in with text overlay for pinterest.

Published: Mar 17, 2024 · Modified: Sep 17, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

A rich and earthy, nutty Basil Pesto Salad Dressing that is perfect served with green salads or pasta. Slightly salty from the cheese and garlicky it has a really addicting flavor.

A small bowl of a pesto dressing with a spoon digging in.
Pesto Salad Dressing

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It's quite light with fresh flavors so ends up being a really great dressing or sauce for a summer time dish.

Mix with some of your favorite pasta, or drizzle over a salad as a dressing - Pesto dressing is really versatile.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Great Ways To Use This Pesto Salad Dressing
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • Similar recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Pesto Dressing
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • It's a light and healthy dressing with 'good-for-you' simple ingredients.
  • Make this easy dressing in less than 5 minutes with a simple recipe.
  • There's no better flavor than fresh homemade pesto vinaigrette, much better than store-bought pesto.
  • Pour over a chicken breast, (you will thank me).
  • Make pasta salads or fresh salads better with this fresh pesto sauce.
  • Get more leafy greens into your diet.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Overhead shot of ingredients needed to make a pesto dressing.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves
  • Pine Nuts
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Garlic
  • Fresh Lemon Juice
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A collage of four images showing how to make pesto dressing.
  • Step 1: Bruise the basil.
  • Step 2: Mix all ingredients.
  • Step 3: Season with salt and pepper.
  • Step 4: Serve over a salad or pasta.
Overhead close up shot of a bowl of pesto dressing.

Hint: Bruising the leaves of the basil is the best way to bring out its best flavor.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • White Wine Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
  • Red Wine Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
  • Balsamic Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
  • Greek Yogurt - add a touch of this to make it creamy.
Side shot of a bowl of pesto dressing.

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Great Ways To Use This Pesto Salad Dressing

  • Pour over a great leafy salad.
  • As a dip - for celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, cheese sticks, vegetables etc.
  • Mix into freshly cooked pasta and quinoa.
  • Stir a little into potato salads.

Necessary gear: Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I love to use my blender to make my pesto dressing, the Ninja blender is an amazing high-speed blender.

Any food processor though will work well.

I have an affiliate link in the recipe card below.

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  • Late Summer Pasta Salad
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  • Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

How to store leftovers

Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Add a layer of olive oil on the top to keep out the oxygen.

Mel's kitchen notes

A green Pesto Dressing freezes very well. I like to add to an ice cube tray and freeze that way. Then empty the little blocks of pesto into a ziplok bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Then take out blocks as you need them.

A pesto dressing used for a pesto pasta salad.

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Close up of a bowl of pesto dressing with a spoon digging in.
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Pesto Dressing

A delicious pesto dressing full of nutty, garlic flavors. Perfect on salads, especially pasta.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time0 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Servings: 2 Cups
Cuisine: Salads
Author: Melanie Cagle
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Video

Equipment

  • Mortar and Pestle Set - 6 Inch -
  • Ninja Blender

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Fresh Basil bruised
  • 4 Cloves Garlic
  • ¼ Cup Pine Nuts
  • ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
  • ¾ Cup Olive Oil
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Bruise the basil, either using a mortar and pestle or you could add to a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin.
    3 Cups Fresh Basil
  • Add the bruised basil, garlic cloves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil and lemon juice to a blender and blend until well mixed.
    4 Cloves Garlic, ¼ Cup Pine Nuts, ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, ¾ Cup Olive Oil
  • Season with salt and pepper and stir again.
    ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Stir in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

You can adjust the thickness of the pesto dressing by adding more olive oil to taste.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 202mg

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