3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (2024)

Published: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

When you're looking for an easy appetizer or snack, this 3-Ingredient Pesto Dip does the trick! Perfect for dipping veggies, sweet potato fries, crackers or pita chips.

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (1)

This 3-ingredient pesto dip is what we all need during the busy holiday season. Or as a healthy option on a “pizza and wings” Superbowl game day. If you serve it with baked zucchini fries, you’ll blow everyone’s minds!

It’s embarrassingly easy to make. All you need is plain Greek yogurt, pesto and a little salt. And any kind of dippers you like. Raw veggies, your favorite crackers, pita chips and bagel chips are our favorites.

We regularly keep a container of basil pesto in our fridge, and use it to spread on sandwiches or naan pizza, toss with whole pasta and veggies, or mix with chicken in a stuffed spaghetti squash recipe. In this easy yogurt dip, use your favorite pesto, whether that's store-bought or homemade version.

💙 What’s to love about pesto dip:

▪️ EASY! Did I mention it requires only 3 ingredients. Yogurt, pesto, salt. Done!

▪️ VERSATILE: Use it as a dip, spread it on sandwiches or thin it with milk and use it as a healthy salad dressing.

▪️ HEALTHY: This dip is made with nonfat Greek yogurt and pesto (made with heart healthy olive oil), which keeps the calorie count and saturated fat grams low.

What you need for this Greek yogurt dip:

A simple ingredients list!

  • YOGURT: Use your favorite plain nonfat Greek yogurt. If dairy-free or vegan is preferred, look for vegan yogurt at any well-stocked grocery store or health food store.
  • PESTO: Use your favorite pesto, either store-bought or homemade. I used the Kirkland brand basil pesto found at Costco. For a vegan and dairy-free dip, look for pesto made without cheese. Trader Joe’s carries a good vegan pesto. To switch up the flavor, try a different type of pesto, such as artichoke, roasted red pepper or cilantro.
  • SALT: A sprinkle of kosher salt.
  • DIPPERS: The sky’s the limit. Try multigrain crackers, raw vegetables, pita chips and bagel chips.

KEEPINTOUCH
and receive recipes straight to your inbox!

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (2)

How to make pesto dip:

This dip is far from rocket science! Which is one of the many reasons I love it – especially when I’m running short on time.

Stir together the yogurt, pesto and salt until combined.

Seriously, that’s it.

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (3)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make pesto dip vegan?

Yes, with two ingredients substitutions.

For the yogurt, look for vegan, dairy-free yogurt. There are many options available, made with non-dairy milks, such as coconut, soy and almond. Kite Hill Greek-style plain unsweetened yogurt is a good option.

For the pesto, either make your own without added cheese or look for a store-bought pesto. Health food stores and Trader Joe’s sell dairy-free pestos.

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes! Transfer the dip to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 4 to 5 days.

Is yogurt dip gluten free?

Yes, as long as the pesto used is gluten-free. Most store-bought pesto is gluten-free, but I recommend checking the label to be sure.

Printable Recipe

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (4)

3-Ingredient Pesto Dip

When you're looking for an easy appetizer or snack, this 3-Ingredient Pesto Dip does the trick! Perfect for dipping veggies, sweet potato fries, crackers or pita chips.

4.28 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizers, Appetizers For Entertaining

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Clean Eating, Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 Cups

Calories: 54.9kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 5 tablespoons basil pesto
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a bowl, stir together the yogurt, pesto and salt.

  • Serve with raw vegetables, crackers and/or pita chips.

Notes

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the LoseIt! calculator. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 54.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.1g | Protein: 3.1g | Fat: 3.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 2.9mg | Sodium: 145.8mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.7g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

This post was originally published on January 29, 2018. Updated on December 8, 2022.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (5)

More Appetizers

  • Mini Cream Cheese Egg Rolls with Pepper Jelly
  • Caprese Christmas Tree
  • Pineapple Mango Salsa Recipe
  • Steamed Clams with Italian Sausage

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Samy

    Such a simple yet yummy recipe! I can't wait to make it for my Superbowl watch party! Thanks for this!

    Reply

  2. Mike

    3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (10)
    Wow, looks so good! Does this taste good with greek souvlaki meat too? Or is it best for just veggies and crackers?

    Reply

    • Dara

      That would definitely work, Mike!

      Reply

3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip - Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a basic pesto sauce made of? ›

Traditional pesto is a blend of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. With a food processor, it comes together in just a few steps: Pulse the nuts, lemon juice, and garlic in the food processor until they're finely chopped. Add the basil and pulse again.

What is a good substitute for pine nuts in pesto? ›

Almonds. My personal favorite, almonds make an excellent substitute for pine nuts in pesto because of their mild, nutty flavor. I like to buy sliced, raw almonds and toast them myself in a pan on medium-low heat. Toasting almonds gives them a depth of flavor that makes just about any dish taste incredible.

What other nuts can you use in pesto? ›

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts or even seeds like sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin can replace the traditional pine nuts in pesto. Pretty much any edible nut tastes delicious—just make sure to toast and cool the nut before grinding them into the sauce.

Does pesto have to have pine nuts? ›

Basil Pesto can be just as successful made without nuts as with pine nuts or walnuts. Garlic is optional too. This recipe emphasizes fresh basil and good quality extra virgin olive oil and parmesan cheese.

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.

Is pesto healthier than tomato sauce? ›

pesto and alfredo sauce are less nutrient dense than tomato sauce. however, it's your food, and it's just sauce, so I would do what you feel like and not worry too much about it. eating a balanced diet it general is more important than worrying about the “health" value of specific foods.

Is pesto sauce 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 is a substitute for Parmesan in pesto sauce? ›

“I just find that sweet white miso is the best substitute for Parmesan.” Miso Master is her brand of choice because of its mild flavor and aerated texture, which keeps the sauce light and creamy. “You get a little sweetness and a ton of umami,” she says.

How long does homemade pesto last? ›

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 long does pesto last in the fridge? ›

Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months. When you're ready to use frozen pesto, thaw it overnight in the fridge or place the container of pesto in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thawing time. Do not try to thaw frozen pesto by microwaving it!

What is a substitute for lemon in pesto? ›

If you don't have fresh lemon you can substitute lime juice or apple cider vinegar. This will change the final flavor but still works well.

What is the best nut for pesto? ›

The key nut ingredient in pesto sauce is typically pine nuts, renowned for their distinct nutty taste. They are combined with fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to craft the signature flavor of pesto.

Should I toast pine nuts for pesto? ›

Pine nuts are classically used in pesto and toasting them before you add them allows their flavor to shine. Looking for a great recipe? Try adding them to Food Network Kitchen's Basil Pesto recipe. They're also delicious tossed into any salad, such as this lemony Kale with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts salad.

Why pine nuts are so expensive? ›

Besides this, pine trees are also difficult to harvest and involve extremely labour-intensive processes. The cones are first hand-harvested followed by sun-drying and deshelling the cones before the nuts are extracted. Because the cones take a while to process and harvesting is difficult, the nuts are rather expensive.

What are the ingredients in store bought pesto? ›

Perfect for ...

Pesto is a sauce from Italy that traditionally consists of crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, basil leaves and cheese such as Parmigiano-Reggiano. Barilla's Rustic Basil Pesto is made in Italy with high-quality ingredients like with fragrant Italian basil and freshly grated Italian cheeses.

What is the main flavor in pesto? ›

Traditional pesto is a thick, green sauce that tastes bright and herby from the basil, and salty and rich from the cheeses and pine nuts. It should be garlicky, with pleasant grassiness from good quality olive oil.

Does all pesto contain cheese? ›

The traditional pesto recipe from Genoa, Italy, which is the birthplace of pesto, contains Parmesan cheese, but some variations omit the cheese. For example, vegan and dairy-free versions of pesto often use nutritional yeast or nuts, such as cashews or almonds, to add a cheesy flavor and texture to the sauce.

What's the difference between pesto and pasta sauce? ›

Pesto is a sauce made of crushed basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It is usually used as a condiment or spread, and is not typically used as a sauce for pasta. Pasta sauce is a sauce made from tomatoes, herbs, and other ingredients used to coat pasta.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6711

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.