This creamy basil dressing is easy to make and perfect for adding tons of flavor to your favorite salads! If you love pesto, you have to give this one a try!

pesto dressing
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This basil dressing blends parmesan, garlic, and pine nuts, and it perfectly elevates even the simplest salads. It’s smooth, tangy, and packed with flavor—ideal for drizzling over greens, roasted veggies, or grain bowls.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Pine nuts – Pine nuts add a delicate nutty flavor, but almonds or walnuts make great alternatives.
  • Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness, but bottled lemon juice can be substituted in a pinch.
  • White wine vinegar – This gives the dressing a light, tangy kick. Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are good substitutes.
  • Dijon mustard – Adds creaminess and helps emulsify the dressing.
  • Garlic – I used garlic powder for a more mild flavor, but you can use fresh garlic if you prefer!
  • Parmesan – Adds savory depth; nutritional yeast or vegan cheese can replace parmesan if needed.
  • Basil – Fresh basil is essential for the dressing’s fresh flavor. Do not substitute dried basil.
  • Olive oil – I recommend using a high-quality olive oil. Avocado oil is a tasty alternative.

How to Make Pesto Salad Dressing

Place the pine nuts, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, dijon, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan into a blender or food processor.
Blend on low or medium speed. After about 15 seconds, stop the blender and scrape down the sides to make sure everything gets incorporated thoroughly.
When the mixture is smooth and you no longer see large chunks of pine nuts or parmesan, add in the remaining oil and blend until everything is combined.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if need be.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week.

Tips for the Perfect Dressing

  • Blend ingredients slowly and pause occasionally to scrape down the sides, ensuring a smooth consistency.
  • If the dressing separates after refrigeration, simply shake or whisk before serving.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste—more lemon juice for acidity, additional parmesan for saltiness, or extra basil for a fresher flavor.
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Pesto Salad Dressing

Pesto Salad Dressing

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  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
  • Category: Salad Dressing
  • Method: Blended
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

This creamy basil dressing is easy to make and perfect for adding tons of flavor to your favorite salads! If you love pesto, you have to give this one a try!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/4 cup raw pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups basil, loosely packed
  • 3/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Place the pine nuts, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan into a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend on low or medium speed. After about 15 seconds, stop the blender and scrape down the sides to make sure everything gets incorporated thoroughly.
  3. Blend again, and if it needs more liquid to all come together, add in ¼ of the olive oil.
  4. When the mixture is smooth and you no longer see large chunks of pine nuts or parmesan, add in the remaining oil and blend until everything is combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if need be.