3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe is about the simplest, easiest way possible to add mega satisfying flavour to a salad. It started as a recipe to reduce time in the kitchen on hot days, but is so good and full of garlicky, basil goodness that I use it all the time now!

Guys. It’s hot here.

As in Wicked Witch of the West screeching, “I’m melting. I’M MELTING” hot. And in a moment of potentially embarrassing confession, I have to admit that I can never remember whether it was the Witch from the West or the Witch from the East who is wicked, so I had to google that.

As I write this, though, I realize that the nasty witch’s name is alliterative, so maybe I’ll actually be able to retain that information now?

Who can tell? I may forget it before the day is out.

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (1)

When it’s beautiful out like this, the very last thing I want to do is heat up my kitchen and stand there dissolving into a puddle on the floor that eventually I’ll have to mop up. I also don’t want to eat heavy, mega filling food either.

At the same time, I don’t want to nibble on an apple and call it a day. And I want my food to be pretty because, well, I like it that way! Hello, High Maintenance Party of One, here.

Pesto Salad Dressing

Light, fast, satisfying food is always the order of the day whether it’s just a beautiful day or wickedly hot. And a salad topped with a delicious dressing is exactly what I want.

This 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe hits all those marks. It’s full of flavour without being heavy, it’s such a pretty green, and oh my gosh, it is so ever-loving simple to make.

It literally takes 1 minute or less to mix our 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette recipe together and relies on things you may have in your pantry right at this very moment. If you don’t have them in your pantry and refrigerator, you can most definitely find them at most grocery stores.

We’re talking about jarred or refrigerated prepared pesto, white wine vinegar, and the finely ground type of Parmesan cheese that you can find in green topped shaker jars on the shelves of grocery stores near the pasta or in the cheese section.

What ingredients do I need for a simple Pesto Vinaigrette recipe?

It may feel like you’re phoning it in by mixing together three such common ingredients for your dressing, but I promise this 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette recipe delivers such a flavour packed salad dressing that you’ll find yourself relying on it over and over and over.

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (2)

I shop at Wegman’s Grocery Stores where they have fresh pesto available at their Mediterranean Bar. You can also use any good homemade pestoor even jarred pesto in this recipe. If you like it, use it!

White wine vinegar is a perfect acidity in our 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe. If you can’t find it, you can substitute an equal amount of fresh squeezed lemon juice or rice wine vinegar.

I often find myself advising people to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese recipe and say “there’s a time and place for shaker cheese”. Guess what. This is the time and the place.

It’s so easy and it gives this dressing exactly the right flavour and texture. Save the stuff you need to grate for other recipes like these Garlic Parmesan Green Beans, Crispy Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Roasted Garlic Parmesan Almonds,or these Garlic Basil Parmesan Rolls.

This 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe lasts for up to a week in the refrigerator so you can have it on hand for your lunch and dinner salads.

Stay tuned for my absolute favourite salad to serve our 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette on. You’re going to love it!

Do you love this 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe? Check out these salads and other dishes that would taste great with it!

Use these to make this 3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette recipe!

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (3)

Pesto Vinaigrette

Add all ingredients to a jar, fix the lid firmly in place, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until evenly blended.

Taste the dressing. If you need, adjust thickness by adding vinegar or olive oil, depending on whether you like a tangier or smoother dressing. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (4)

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe

Rate Recipe

Rebecca Lindamood

Prep Time 1 minute min

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup prepared pesto
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a jar, fix the lid firmly in place, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until evenly blended. Taste. If you need to, adjust thickness by adding vinegar or olive oil, depending on whether you like a tangier or smoother dressing.

    Store leftovers in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 195mgVitamin A: 335IUCalcium: 62mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

did you make this recipe?

Make sure to tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and #hashtag it #foodiewithfamily so I can check it out!

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (5)

This post was originally published July of 2018 and updated in April 2021.

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

What is the recipe formula for pesto? ›

The basic ratio is 1:2:2:8 (1 part nuts, 2 parts oil, 2 parts grating cheese, 8 parts leaves or herbs), plus garlic, lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.

How to make pesto Rachael Ray? ›

Drain and dry the basil in a salad spinner or on clean kitchen towels. Place the EVOO in the food processor and add the basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino-Romano, pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic and some salt and pepper. Pulse process into a fine sauce. Store in an airtight container.

Is pesto unhealthy or healthy? ›

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

What does pesto dressing taste like? ›

It should be garlicky, with pleasant grassiness from good quality olive oil. The bite from the garlic can be rounded out by heating the sauce, for example with pasta, meats or vegetables.

How do you make pesto taste better? ›

Add a pinch of salt if the basil tastes too bitter or the pesto needs more zing. Add more Parmesan if you'd like a creamier/cheesier pesto. If desired, you can thin out the pesto with more olive oil.

How long does pesto last in the fridge? ›

Once opened, a jar of pesto lasts in the fridge for three days without any dramatic loss of quality. It will be perfectly safe for another two days, but leave it any longer, and its quality will decline to the point that it will no longer be enjoyable to eat.

How long does homemade pesto keep for? ›

FAQ: How Long Does Homemade Pesto Last? You can store this basil pesto in a jar or sealable container, then tightly seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

How do you make Bobby Flay pesto? ›

directions
  1. Combine the sage, parsley, garlic, coriander seeds, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pine nuts in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely chopped.
  2. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until emulsified.
  3. Add the cheese, salt, and pepper and process 3 to 4 seconds longer.

Why does homemade pesto turn dark? ›

The cause of pesto turning brown, or grey is usually because the herbs have started oxidising. The best way to slow that process is to reduce the amount of time the sauce is exposed to air.

What is pesto mayo made of? ›

ingredients
  1. 23 cup mayonnaise.
  2. 4 tablespoons prepared basil pesto.

Is pesto healthier than pasta sauce? ›

The Bottom Line. Pesto is higher in calories than some sauces but it's also made with super-healthy ingredients, like basil, olive oil and nuts. I find it's a great way to add more flavor to pasta dishes and even vegetables and proteins.

What is the meaning of pesto dressing? ›

pes·​to ˈpe-(ˌ)stō : a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese.

Why is pesto sauce so good? ›

Pesto is that wonderfully green sauce that offers a flavor that can best be described as bright and pungent, with a basil-forward, herbaceous garden aroma suspended with delicate olive oil, enriched with pine nuts (pignoli), and kicked into overdrive with Italian cheeses and garlic.

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