Pesto Salad Dressing

Elevate your salad game with this creamy, vibrant Pesto Salad Dressing—a delightful twist on the classic pesto sauce. Bursting with the fresh flavors of basil, zesty lemon juice, and nutty Parmesan cheese, this homemade dressing is expertly balanced with a hint of honey for sweetness and garlic for an aromatic kick. Blended to perfection with extra-virgin olive oil and pine nuts, it offers a luscious texture that clings beautifully to greens, roasted vegetables, or even grilled meats. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile recipe allows you to customize the consistency by adding water, making it an effortless yet gourmet addition to your meals. Store-bought dressings can’t compete with the freshness and depth of this quick and easy creation!

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup (packed) Fresh basil leaves
• 2 small Garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons Pine nuts
• 1 quarter cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (optional, to thin) Water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh basil leaves under cool water, then pat them dry completely using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Step 2

Peel the garlic cloves and set aside.

Step 3

In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.

Step 4

With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined.

Step 5

Add the fresh lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Pulse again until smooth and emulsified.

Step 6

If the dressing is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition, until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 7

Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Step 8

Transfer the pesto salad dressing to a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Step 9

Shake or stir well before serving. Drizzle over your favorite salad, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats for a burst of fresh flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(255.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1345.8

Total Fat 142.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.7g
Cholesterol 20mg	0%
Sodium 935.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 14.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g	0%
Total Sugars 7.4g
Protein 12.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 266.1mg	0%
Iron 2.4mg	0%
Potassium 282.0mg	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: 92.3%

Protein: 3.6%

Carbs: 4.1%