Looking for a bright, sunny vinaigrette? You'll LOVE this Pesto Salad Dressing! This delicious dressing has a wonderful fresh basil flavor, it's easy to make, and it's super versatile. Perfect for all your favorite salads!
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Ginnie's Take
For the last couple summers, I've been growing fresh herbs on my little patio, and it's been so fun and rewarding (I'm basically a farmer now 😉). I love having access to fresh basil whenever I want, and I've been experimenting with different ways to use it. This scrumptious Pesto Salad Dressing has become a favorite. A drizzle of this delish vinaigrette is sure to brighten up any summer meal!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make - This recipe uses simple ingredients and takes minutes to make. What could be better?
- Amazing Flavor - If you're a pesto lover, you won't be able to resist this delicious dressing! The flavor is so bright and sunny, perfect for basil fans.
- Versatile - There are so many ways to use this vinaigrette. Toss it with your favorite salad, drizzle it over roasted veggies, add it to a sandwich, and so much more!
Jump to:
Ingredients
This easy vinaigrette recipe uses simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store! Here's what you'll need:
- Basil - Of course, you need fresh basil for that authentic pesto flavor!
- Olive Oil - You'll also need a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Lemon - A couple tablespoons of fresh lemon juice brighten up the dressing, and give it a tangy vinaigrette flavor.
- Parmesan - Parmesan cheese is a classic pesto ingredient that adds richness and a slightly nutty flavor. Make sure to use freshly shredded cheese for the best taste and texture.
- Garlic - A little fresh garlic is another traditional ingredient. It gives this dressing a bold, zippy flavor.
- Salt + Pepper - I recommend using kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper for the best results.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, gluten free, and nut free! You can also easily make it vegan / dairy free. Check out the Variations section below for tips.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a cheese grater to shred the cheese, a juicer for the lemon, and a food processor (or high speed blender) to prepare the dressing.
How to Make Pesto Dressing
This Pesto Vinaigrette couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Mince garlic. Start by pulsing the garlic in your food processor (or high speed blender) until it's minced.
- Add remaining ingredients. Next, you'll add the basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the garlic.
- Blend. Turn on your food processor and process the ingredients together until the basil is finely chopped and the dressing is emulsified (it should look thick and creamy). Taste the dressing, then season generously with additional salt (to taste).
And that's all there is to it. This delicious Basil Pesto Dressing is so simple that you'll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again!
Variations
This tasty Basil Salad Dressing recipe is fun and simple to customize! Here are a few easy ideas to try:
- More / Less Tangy - To increase the salad dressing's tanginess, add more lemon juice. To make it less tangy, add extra olive oil to mellow out the other flavors.
- Creamy - For a creamy dressing, blend in a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt.
- Vegan + Dairy Free - To make this vinaigrette vegan and dairy free, simply skip the parmesan cheese. If you're missing the cheesy flavor, add a little nutritional yeast (about one tablespoon or so) or some vegan parm.
- Store Bought Pesto - If you'd like to use store bought pesto, start with about ¾ cup. Then add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice and whisk in enough olive oil to get a vinaigrette consistency (about three to four tablespoons).
How to Use (Serving Suggestions)
This recipe is super versatile! You can use the dressing to make these Tomato Tartines and this Pesto Caprese Salad, or try one of these other ideas:
- Salad - Of course, it works great with all your favorite salads! It would perk up a simple green salad, and it makes a great salad dressing for Caprese Salad (pair it with this unique Caprese Freekeh Salad!).
- Pasta - Use it as a sauce for hot pasta (try it on this Tomato Basil Pasta), or mix it with cooled pasta to make an Easy Pasta Salad.
- Potatoes - Stir it into a bowl of hot potatoes for a quick side dish, or mix it with cooled potatoes for a delish potato salad.
- Veggies - Spoon it over roasted, steamed, grilled, or sautéed vegetables. Try adding it to these Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!
- Sandwich - Drizzle on veggie sandwiches, like this Tomato Toast, for a boost of flavor.
- Grains - Mix with quinoa, couscous, rice, or other grains. Serve these grains as a simple side dish, or pair them with vegetables to make a veggie grain bowl.
- Beans - Combine with white beans (or chickpeas), tomatoes, and olives to make a quick bean salad.
Storage
If you have leftover Pesto Salad Dressing, store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in your refrigerator for up to four days. Keep in mind, that the dressing will separate as it sits (give it a good whisk or shake before using), and the basil will darken over time.
Related Recipes
Looking for similar recipes? You'll love my Classic Basil Pesto recipe and this roundup of over 30 Pesto Recipe Ideas! Searching for more easy salad dressings? Try one of these next:
- It's hard to beat a basic Red Wine Vinaigrette or a traditional French Vinaigrette. Both are so versatile!
- This tangy Lemon Olive Oil Dressing is a fave with Hello Little Home readers, and it couldn't be easier to make.
- If you like your vinaigrettes with a touch of sweetness, you'll love this Honey Lemon Salad Dressing and this Maple Salad Dressing!
- This Sour Cream Salad Dressing has a light, creamy flavor that's so tasty.
- Looking for ways to use tahini, besides hummus? This flavorful Tahini Lemon Dressing is impossible to resist!
- Top your salad with this crunchy Homemade Croutons (or these Sourdough Croutons) for the perfect finishing touch.
P.S. Check out my other sauces and salad recipes, too!
Pesto Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large clove garlic
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (lightly packed)
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper
Equipment
- Food Processor (or Blender)
Instructions
- Place garlic clove in food processor, then mince.
- Add basil, olive oil, parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and a few grinds pepper.
- Process ingredients just until dressing is well-blended and mostly smooth (you'll still see basil flecks).
- Season generously to taste with additional salt. (I used about 1 teaspoon total.)
- Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
