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You are here: Home / Recipes / Easy Pesto Salad Dressing

Easy Pesto Salad Dressing

Published on September 24, 2019 by Helen Best-Shaw 27 Comments
Last Updated on July 25, 2021

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This pesto salad dressing recipe is fresh, vibrant and easy to make. Perfect on Italian-style salads. 

Pesto dressing being spooned out of a jam jar.

Everything You Need To Know

  • Pesto Salad Dressing
  • Using and Choosing Pesto
  • How to Make Pesto Salad Dressing
  • Hints, Tips & Variations
  • How to use up leftover pesto
  • More Dressings
  • Easy Pesto Salad Dressing
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Pesto Salad Dressing

I love cooking but sometimes you just need something simple. We usually have a bag of leaves of some sort in the fridge and this lovely fresh dressing means I can rustle up a great salad in minutes. This pesto dressing has a kick of basil as well as a good squeeze of lemon. The mustard gives it a little depth.

I like a pesto vinaigrette on bitter leaves like watercress and rocket (another classic combination with pizza), but it also combines well with tomatoes or avocado, and would be good on a mixed salad too. Try it with Tuscan beans for a more substantial salad dish.

The light, summery flavours bring back memories of Italy and go so well with many Italian foods. We always make a fresh green side salad with substantial dishes like pizza. A good sharp dressing on a side salad cuts through the richness of the cheese. 

Spooning dressing onto salad leaves.

Using and Choosing Pesto

Although it’s a useful cupboard standby, I never seem to get through much pesto as I only use tiny quantities. It doesn’t keep for long in the fridge once opened, so when I open a jar, I keep it in the freezer.

The oil prevents it freezing rock solid, so it is always easy to scoop a spoonful out, and pop the jar back in. I find this saves a lot of expensive waste!

If you are following a particular diet or have allergies, read the ingredients list carefully when buying ready-made pesto.

Some versions are vegetarian and some are not, depending on the cheese. Others are dairy-free and vegan.

Some contain only the traditional pine kernels (which can be a problem for nut allergy sufferers) or no seeds at all, while others substitute all sorts of nuts. Remember to check! 

If you have plenty of basil to use up, of course, you could just make your own pesto or pistou (the French version with no seeds or nuts). 

How to Make Pesto Salad Dressing

It really doesn’t get any easier than this! 

How to make pesto dressing - unmixed dressing in a jam jar.

Step 1 – Place all the ingredients into a jar and screw the lid on. 

The mustard helps to emulsify the dressing, or stops it separating.  If you don’t like mustard you can leave it out; although in this recipe you can barely taste it, but be aware that the dressing will separate more quickly. 

Step by step pesto dressing - a jam jar of mixed dressing.

Step 2 – Shake, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed and serve. 

Hints, Tips & Variations

  • This pesto dressing will keep for four days in the fridge, so you make enough to see you through a few days. Take out of the fridge and allow to come to room temperature (the olive oil might have solidified), give the jar a good shake before serving. 
  • For a more vibrant dressing use a fresh rather than jarred pesto. 
  • Make it with red pesto for variation. 
  • If you only want to make enough to dress the one salad, make the dressing in the bottom of the serving bowl, mixing it with a mini whisk. 
  • Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave and use a dairy-free pesto to make it vegan. 

How to use up leftover pesto

  • Freeze it!  I usually add a little extra olive oil to the jar and put the whole thing in the freezer. Or you can portion into an ice cube tray. 
  • Mix it with cannellini beans along with a little softened onion to make a salad.
  • Add it to roasted summer vegetables, or spread it on a wrap to fill with peppers and grilled halloumi. 
  • Add it to a bean soup. 
  • Use it on bruschetta and top with tomatoes and olives.
A plae of green salad with pesto salad dressing

More Dressings

  • Sweet Chilli Dressing – A spicy twist from your regular dressing.
  • Salad Cream – this British classic is even better when homemade
  • Carrot Top Pesto – No waste with this twist on a traditional pesto
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Spooning pesto dressing from a jam jar.
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4.88 from 16 votes

Easy Pesto Salad Dressing

This simple Italian-inspired pesto vinaigrette recipe is fresh, vibrant and easy to make. Perfect on any salad as a main course or as a side dish with Italian food. (Easily vegetarian and vegan)
Servings: 12 tablespoons (2/3 cup)
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time3 mins
Total Time3 mins
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Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp good quality olive oil
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp pesto (use vegan if needed)
  • 2 tsp mustard (mild)
  • 2 tsp honey (maple or agave syrup if needed)
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a jar. Screw the lid on tightly and give a good shake.
  • Adjust the seasoning and serve over salad leaves.

Notes

  • If you want this to be vegan, use vegan pesto and agave or maple syrup rather than honey.
  • It will keep for 4 days in the fridge. Shake well before each use.
  • This dressing is perfect on cold pasta for a salad.
  • Freeze leftover pesto into individual portions in an ice cube tray.
Nutritional Information:
  • This recipe is 1 Weight Watchers Smart Point per portion
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pesto Salad Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 61 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 45mg2%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 75IU2%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pesto Salad dressing
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Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in March 2016, but was rewritten and republished with new photos, step by step instructions and hints & tips in September 2019. 

A simple pesto based salad dressing, which is perfect served with pizza.

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Filed Under: Easy Ways to Extra Veg (and Fruit), Italian, Recipes, Salad, Side Dishes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, £ Ingredients: Honey, Lemon, Mustard, Oil, Pesto

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Isabella

    5 stars
    My husband adores pesto, this salad dressing would be right up his street! I never thought to freeze half used jars – I must give this a go! That pizza looks delicious, a pizza wine and netflix eve is just what I need!

    Reply
    • Helen

      We were so impressed with the pizza. I always freeze the half full jars as if they are in the fridge I forget and they go mouldy every time.

      Reply
  2. [email protected]

    5 stars
    Like you we rarely order pizza, but when we do salad – a big one – is a must, covering more than half of the plate as an exercise in damage limitation. Your simple tasty dressing looks great for not only the salad but as a crust dip too!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Good idea on the crust dip Kellie! I think I put the leftovers into a simple bean dip for the next day.

      Reply
  3. Nayna Kanabar

    5 stars
    I also enjoy a salad with our pizza, and the dressing you have shared is delicious I will have to try it.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Always a salad with a pizza!

      Reply
  4. Camilla

    5 stars
    I love Hawaiian Pizza and this one looks fabulous. Funnily enough my daughter has been begging me to try Papa John’s pizza as it’s a brand we’ve yet to encounter! I think this may have tipped the scales:-) Loving the tip for the pesto as the last bit always seems to go mouldy in the fridge!

    Reply
    • Helen

      We were really impressed Camilla. It is definitely an American style pizza, not too doughy or soft. The fresh toppings were very good – richly flavoured pork and juicy pineapple.

      Reply
  5. Katie Bryson

    5 stars
    I’m always on the hunt for a new salad dressing idea and this sounds glorious Helen – as does that ham hock and pineapple pizza! Takeaway pizza is so expensive, it really is a rare treat for us. I love your tip about freezing pesto!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Here is to jars of pesto in the freezer!

      Reply
  6. Holly Lamb

    5 stars
    Lovely fresh looking salad, just in time for spring. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Helen

      SO easy to make with that half jar of pesto.

      Reply
  7. Francis Stewart

    5 stars
    I havent had a Hawaiian pizza for years, and such a great looking salad accompaniment.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was a really good pizza.

      Reply
  8. Maggie Hudson

    5 stars
    There are times when only a friendly moped bearing pizza will do. Nice salad.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I agree. Pizza delivery is wonderful, and one reason not to live in the country!

      Reply
  9. Clifford

    5 stars
    There is something very wrong that’s so right about a Hawaiian pizza. Nice salad too.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Gammon and pineapple is the classic combo!

      Reply
  10. Sonya Curry

    5 stars
    Tasty change from a standard vinaigrette! A nice treat to go with a pizza

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make too!

      Reply
  11. Jacqueline Meldrum

    5 stars
    We don’t have Papa Johns here, I actually thought it was a restaurant and not a takeaway. Tasty dressing Helen. I’m now in the mood for pizza and salad.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was a really good takeaway Jac, good honest American style pizza.

      Reply
  12. Jan

    4 stars
    Dressing had nice flavour. I would cut back on the honey next time. This salad went well with sausage penne.

    Reply
  13. Amy McCord

    5 stars
    Nice, bright flavors with just a hint of sweet from the honey! The first time I made this, I served it wit Smoked Salmon Mousse and Avocado Stuffed Pasta Shells. The dressing cut through the saltiness of the smoked salmon and it was an awesome compliment to the dish. Serving on salad tonight. This dressing is awesome! Thanks for this recipe…it will be a staple in our house!

    Reply
    • Helen

      i am so pleased that you like this Amy! it sounds delicious paired with smoked salmon.

      Reply
  14. Zara Douglas

    5 stars
    Brilliant idea to freeze the pesto. I am forever throwing away part jars that I find at the back of the fridge.

    Reply
  15. Maggie T

    5 stars
    I love your thinking that salad outweighs the pizza. The dressing is truly delicious and we often have it now that I found your recipe.

    Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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