When I need a quick snack for entertaining, I turn to favorites such as fresh corn salsa, delicious eggplant baba ganoush, and this zesty and creamy pesto dip. It’s happened to all of us. Friends stop by without much warning and you need an appetizer, and quickly. This pesto dip is my go-to when I need a snack option that looks like I put in a lot of effort. Rich, creamy and full of flavor, this dip is sure to be a hit with both family and friends. When I make this dip for a party, I like to set it next to a veggie tray for easy dipping. I also like to serve this dip with some fun Italian style finger foods like fried ravioli or easy mini pizzas! There are so many snacks that go great with this dip!
Pesto Dip Ingredients
The great thing about this dip is that it only contains 7 ingredients. Mayonnaise and sour cream form the base of this dip. Pesto adds a bright and vibrant flavor. The remaining ingredients of salt, pepper, lemon juice and garlic accentuate the flavors of the pesto. If you’d like to get fancy, feel free to add a garnish of tomatoes, basil and pine nuts.
How do you make pesto dip?
Place all of the dip ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir until everything is well blended. Serve the dip right away, or cover it and store in the refrigerator for later use. An optional step is to add an extra drizzle of pesto to the top of the dip before serving, along with diced tomatoes and toasted pine nuts.
Tips for the perfect appetizer
This recipe will work with both homemade or store bought pesto. I typically use the pesto found in tubs in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. I find that the fresh pesto tastes better than shelf stable pesto. Pesto dip will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I do not recommend freezing this dip, as the sour cream may separate when thawed. I like to serve this dip with sliced baguette or toasted crostini. Other great options include breadsticks, pretzels, carrots and celery. If you have leftover dip, you can use it as a sandwich spread, or add a little milk to thin it out to make a salad dressing. You can use low fat versions of mayonnaise and sour cream if you’re looking for a healthier option.
Flavor Variations
This dip is perfect as-is, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize the dip to your tastes.
Cheese: Feel free to stir in up to 1/4 cup of finely grated Italian cheese such as mozzarella, parmesan, asiago or romano. Protein: Add some flavor and a hearty texture with cooked crumbled bacon or finely diced chicken breast. Flavorings: Amp up the flavor with chopped olives, sun dried tomatoes or marinated artichoke hearts.
Once you see how good this dip is, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis!
More great dips to try
Taco Dip Artichoke Dip 7 Layer Dip Herb Veggie Dip Cajun Shrimp Dip
