Heart-Healthy Pesto Vinaigrette

Brighten up your meals with this Heart-Healthy Pesto Vinaigrette, a light yet flavorful dressing that combines fresh basil, baby spinach, and heart-smart raw walnuts for a nutrient-packed punch. This vinaigrette swaps heavy ingredients for wholesome, health-conscious alternatives, relying on extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of Dijon mustard to create a creamy yet tangy emulsion. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile dressing is perfect for drizzling over crisp salads, enhancing roasted vegetables, or even as a zesty marinade for proteins. Packed with antioxidants and omega-3s, it delivers a vibrant, herby flavor that’s as nourishing as it is delicious—making it a must-have for your heart-healthy recipe arsenal.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Baby spinach leaves
• 0.25 cup Raw unsalted walnuts
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Start by gathering all the ingredients to ensure you have everything at hand.

Step 2

In a food processor or blender, add the fresh basil leaves, baby spinach leaves, and raw unsalted walnuts.

Step 3

Peel the garlic clove and add it to the processor with the other ingredients.

Step 4

Pulse a few times until the ingredients are coarsely combined.

Step 5

Next, slowly add the extra-virgin olive oil while blending on low speed to start forming an emulsion.

Step 6

Add the fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard to the mixture.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 8

Add the water to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency and blend until smooth. You can adjust the amount of water depending on how thick or thin you prefer your vinaigrette.

Step 9

Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning if necessary, maybe adding a bit more lemon juice or vinegar if you like a tangier taste.

Step 10

Transfer the pesto vinaigrette to a sealed container or jar for storage. This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Step 11

Shake well before serving. Enjoy over salads, as a marinade for proteins, or drizzled over grilled vegetables for a deliciously heart-healthy touch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(200.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	758.6

Total Fat 80.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 716.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 8.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	0%
Total Sugars 1.8g
Protein 6.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 68.2mg	0%
Iron 2.2mg	0%
Potassium 305.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 92.6%

Protein: 3.2%

Carbs: 4.2%