Pesto Salad Dressing is a super easy homemade salad dressing that adds a burst of fresh flavour when you drizzle it over any dish.
With just 3 ingredients (plus salt) this pesto dressing takes about 2 minutes to make.
The main ingredient and star of this dressing is basil pesto sauce, something which I always have in my fridge here at home.
Basil pesto is a cinch to whip up at home in your food processor (and I should mention tastes ah-mazing), but store-bought pesto is fine too. No judgment here, this is a safe pesto space.
A quick and simple pesto vinaigrette recipe is great to have in your repertoire, perfect for when you need to dress a salad in a hurry.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- Fast and easy.
- 3 ingredients.
- Pantry staples.
What you need to make this pesto salad dressing
*Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions
- basil pesto - I like to make my own pesto (it keeps in the fridge for weeks but store-bought is ok too)
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh lemon juice - fresh lemons are a pantry (well refrigerator technically) staple in my kitchen. Stash them in a plastic bag in the fridge and they should stay fresh for at least a month.
- salt
*Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions
How to make pesto salad dressing
- Add basil pesto to a small jar/mason jar or bowl.
- Add olive oil.
- Add a little lemon juice (not all of it - we are going to adjust later).
- Put the lid on and give it a shake (or a vigorous stir).
- Taste, then add a tiny pinch of salt (to start with).
- Taste again then add more lemon and salt if necessary.
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Top tips for the best result
- The tablespoon of lemon juice is just a guide. We are using lemon juice as a seasoning - like the salt - which means you can adjust the taste to suit.
- Have you tasted it and it's too salty? Too lemony? No problem, just add a little more pesto and olive oil and taste again.
Variations
- Instead of using traditional basil pesto (made with pine nuts) use my cashew basil pesto recipe instead.
- Make this pesto vinaigrette recipe into a creamy pesto dressing by adding a teaspoon or two of mayonnaise when you shake it up.
Substitutions
- fresh lemon juice - white wine vinegar
- basil pesto - another flavour pesto like sun-dried tomato, rocket (arugula) pesto or red pepper pesto.
Storage suggestion
This is best served immediately, but it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 1 - 2 days.
Frequently asked questions
Yes.
Basil (green) pesto.
Yes, minimal effort gives you maximum taste with all-natural ingredients.
Fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
Alongside the jarred tomato and marinara sauces in the pasta aisle.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast - tender chicken breast topped with cream cheese and basil pesto then oven baked for a quick low-carb dinner packed with flavour.
Rocket (Arugula) Salad - definitely not a bowl of ordinary green salad, this fresh, zesty salad combines rocket lettuce with sweet pears and savoury parmesan cheese with a zingy mustard vinaigrette dressing.
Greek Grain Salad - a delicious couscous salad packed with almonds and pine nuts, fresh herbs and garnished with yoghurt and pomegranate seeds.
Confit Cherry Tomatoes - make your own restaurant-worthy cherry tomato confit at home. So easy, all you really need is cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil plus a little time!
📖 Recipe
Pesto Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon basil pesto easy homemade recipe or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh) to taste
- salt to taste
Watch me make this recipe
Instructions
- In a small jar or bowl add basil pesto, olive oil and a little splash of the lemon juice (we will be adjusting this later if needed).½ tablespoon basil pesto1 tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh)
- Put the lid on and give it a good shake (or a really good stir).
- Taste, then add a tiny pinch of salt (to start with).salt
- Taste again then add more lemon or salt as necessary.
Notes
- We are using lemon juice as a seasoning - like the salt too - which means you can balance the taste to suit your own preference.
- Too salty? Too lemony? Just add a little more pesto and olive oil and taste again.
Want to save this recipe?
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
this was so easy, I used the pesto I had in the fridge.
Great Sonja!