Pesto Salad Dressing

This summery, flavourful pesto salad dressing combines basil pesto, lemon, olive oil, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. It’s delicious on simple green salads, pasta salads, potato salads, and more.

If there was one salad dressing I’d urge you to have on hand for the rest of the summer, it would be this one. Pesto salad dressing is at once fresh, tangy, and salty. And it couldn’t be easier to mix up, especially if you have some nut-free pesto on hand already.

If you love homemade dressings and sauces, check out Greek Yogurt Chipotle Sauce, Lemon Mint Dressing, and Cilantro Lime Dressing as well.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients and Notes
• How to make pesto salad dressing
• Substitutions and Variations
• Kitchen Tools
• Storage Tips
• Top Tip
• How to use this pesto salad dressing
• More Salad Dressings and Sauces
• Pesto Salad Dressing

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple and easy to make: No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen in the summer. With that in mind, this dressing consists of minimal ingredients and takes less than five minutes to make, as long as you already have the pesto on hand.
• Versatile: While using it on a simple summer salad of mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and bell peppers is a no-brainer, it is also incredible with all kinds of pasta salads, including this bacon jalapeno pasta salad, as well as quinoa salad and potato salad.

Ingredients and Notes

To make this salad dressing, you’ll need pesto, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Below are some details about each ingredient, but be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for exact quantities.

• Pesto: Pesto is the base of this recipe and is what differentiates itself from a typical vinaigrette. While store-bought pesto is an option, I recommend using homemade pesto, such as my nut-free basil pesto, for the best flavour.
• Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice is much less flavourful than freshly squeezed.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Using a good quality extra-virgin olive oil in salad dressings is best for both flavour and health benefits.
• Honey: Helps to balance the flavours and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Garlic: Adds flavour and immune-boosting properties.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings in a salad dressing; salt and pepper enhance and balance flavours.

How to make pesto salad dressing

This dressing comes together in one step. Simply add all of the ingredients to a jar, stir or shake everything together, and enjoy.

Substitutions and Variations

• Basil Pesto: Instead of basil pesto, use this cilantro pesto and replace the lemon juice with lime juice for a cilantro lime pesto dressing.
• Make it creamy: Add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the recipe.
• Make it vegan: Be sure to make my nut-free and dairy-free pesto and replace the honey with maple syrup.
• Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes.

Kitchen Tools

• Glass jar with lid
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Storage Tips

You can store this dressing in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to two days. It will separate and the oil may solidify, but this is normal. Simply bring it back to room temperature and give it a good shake before serving.

How to use this pesto salad dressing

While drizzling this over a fresh salad of local greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, etc. is an obvious choice, here are some other ways to enjoy this versatile salad dressing:

• Use it in this Greek Orzo Salad instead of the classic Greek salad dressing.
• Toss it with cooked pasta, crumbled feta or diced mozzarella cheese, chickpeas, and vegetables of choice such as kale, red pepper, and cherry tomatoes for a simple pasta salad.
• Drizzle it over roasted or steamed broccoli or asparagus for a lovely side vegetable dish.

More Salad Dressings and Sauces

Try my other salad dressings and sauces next:

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