Creamy Pesto Dressing

This easy creamy Pesto Dressing is one of our all-time favorite salad dressings! It’s easy to whisk up, with just 5 ingredients. Perfect for pasta salads, potato salads, sandwiches, or as a dip. Vegan-adaptable.

This creamy Pesto Dressing is so easy to whip up; it takes about 5 minutes. It is really lovely on salads where you want a creamy consistency. We use our Fresh Basil Pesto as a base (or use store-bought pesto) and make it creamy with a little mayo and yogurt. Fresh lemon juice brightens it, adding a lively, vibrant flavor. Easily vegan-adaptable!

Use this pesto dressing on pasta salads, potato salads, slaws, or a drizzle for bowls, wraps or sandwiches! I love love love it on a turkey sandwich- so delicious! FYI, we also have an olive oil-based basil vinaigrette recipe that is not creamy, if so inclined.

Pesto Dressing recipe Ingredients

• Pesto: For the best fresh flavor, use homemade pesto. Try our recipe for fresh basil pesto (it is vegan-adaptable!) or your own pesto recipe. Or, in a pinch, use store-bought pesto.
• Yogurt: Use a thick, creamy yogurt like Greek yogurt. For a vegan substitute, use vegan sour cream.
• Mayonnaise: If vegan, use vegan mayo.
• Fresh lemon juice: Brightens up this rich, creamy dressing.
• Salt and black pepper: A simple seasoning that elevates!

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Recipe Variations

Feel free to change up this dressing with different types of pesto!

• Walnut Pesto
• Arugula Pesto
• Cilantro Pesto
• Spring Pea Pesto

How to Make Creamy Pesto Dressing

1. Prep. If you are using homemade pesto and haven’t already, prepare your fresh pesto and place it in a small bowl. Then measure and assemble all of the dressing ingredients.

2. Mix. Add all of the pesto dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and combine until smooth. No need for a blender or food processor!

It’s as easy as that!

Ways to use Creamy Pesto Dressing

• Pasta salads, orzo salads, or couscous salads
• Grain salads, like quinoa salads
• Chickpea salads
• As a flavorful dip for crudité, cherry tomatoes, or sliced cucumbers
• As a sauce for roasted vegetables, like roasted broccoli, or grilled veggies
• Tossed with chicken salad
• Caprese salad
• Spinach or other salad greens
• As a sauce for sandwiches
• Drizzle over baked chicken breast

Storage

Store the dressing in a sealed mason jar, salad dressing bottle, or other airtight container. This will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Hope you enjoy this creamy pesto salad dressing recipe!

more dressings and sauces to try

Basil Pesto

Creamy Hemp Seed Dressing

Quick Greek Salad Dressing Recipe

Green Goddess Dressing

Italian Dressing

Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe

• Spirulina Dressing
• Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing

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