Transform everyday meals with this 3-ingredient Easy Pesto Mayonnaise! Ready in under 5 minutes, this creamy, herby sauce adds instant flavor to family favorites. Spread it on sandwiches and wraps, drizzle over grilled chicken or salmon, or toss with roasted veggies and pasta salads. Quick, delicious, and endlessly versatile — it’s the kind of simple recipe you’ll want to keep in the fridge for those busy weeknights.
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I love having a fridge packed with condiments — they make every meal better and add a burst of flavor to whatever’s on the table. This mayonnaise and pesto sauce is made with a handful of ingredients and for ease I often use store-bought mayo and pesto.
Adding fresh lemon juice to the basil pesto mayonnaise breaks through the creamy mayo and rich pesto. If you really want to amp up the citrus you can also add some fresh lemon zest.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Mayonnaise & Pesto Sauce
- Basil Pesto Mayonnaise Ingredients
- How to Make Pesto Mayonnaise - Step-By-Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Variations & Substitutions
- Tips & Tricks
- Serving Suggestion
- How to Store
- Pin This Easy Pesto Mayonnaise (With 3 Ingredients) Recipe For Later
- What Do You Think?!
- More Easy Sides & Sauces Recipe Ideas
- Printable Recipe
- Easy Pesto Mayonnaise Recipe (With 3 Ingredients)
- Reader Comments & Ratings
Why You'll Love This Mayonnaise & Pesto Sauce
- Containing just 3 ingredients this pesto mayonnaise dipping sauce can be made in under 5 minutes.
- A great make ahead dip, prepare earlier in the day, or the day before and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
- A healthy alternative to store bought sauces and dips, which often contain artificial flavorings and added sugar. By contrast, this is all natural flavor.
- This Pesto mayo builds on the success of of my other popular sauces and dips:
Basil Pesto Mayonnaise Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe below.
Mayonnaise - you can either use your own homemade mayonnaise or even a basil mayonnaise; or use a good quality store bought mayo like the one I used here.
Pesto - for the best flavor use a fresh pesto sauce, or any good quality store-bought pesto, to flavor the mayonnaise.
Lemon - a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds great acidity to the mayonnaise.
How to Make Pesto Mayonnaise - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe card below.
Combine the mayonnaise and pesto and in a small bowl then stir in lemon juice, if using, and season with sea salt to taste.
Mix until smooth and fully blended then chill until ready to serve, or use immediately as a dip, sandwich spread, or veggie sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pesto?
Pesto is a fresh Italian sauce, most commonly used to make pesto pasta. It is a fresh tasting herb sauce made with fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, pine nuts and olive oil. You can also make red pesto which is made with roasted red bell peppers.
Are pesto and mayonnaise good together?
Yes, the pairing of pesto and mayo really works well as a dipping sauce. The fresh and vibrant green basil pesto balances perfectly with the creamy mayonnaise.
Variations & Substitutions
I've opted for a traditional basil pesto, but you could also use red pepper pesto.
For extra lemony flavor add some finely grated lemon zest.
If serving this pesto mayonnaise as a party dip, garnish with some toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of olive oil.
If serving vegan diners, swap the regular mayonnaise for a vegan mayonnaise.
If you need to loosen the mayo, stir through some extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
You could make a healthier version of this sauce by using half mayo and half Greek yogurt.
Tips & Tricks
Always check the sauce for flavor and balance, add a little more salt or lemon juice if you think it needs it.
This dip can be made up to 24 hours in advance and will taste even better the next day once the flavors have really developed.
Serving Suggestion
This creamy pesto mayo is versatile and can be used in a variety of different ways:
- Spread on sandwiches or wraps.
- A great salad dressing, try it over a chicken salad, it would also make a great potato salad.
- This tasty dipping sauce is perfect with French fries, Potato Wedges or Sweet Potato Slices.
- A great BBQ condiment, drizzle over these Lemon & Garlic Chicken Thighs, your favorite burgers, hot dogs, fish, my Corn Riblets, or grilled veggies
- Drizzled over your favorite grain bowls or over this Chickpea Buddha Bowl.
How to Store
Once made, store this creamy peso mayo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir to recombine the ingredients before using.
Pin This Easy Pesto Mayonnaise (With 3 Ingredients) Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
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More Easy Sides & Sauces Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Easy Pesto Mayonnaise Recipe (With 3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise - use full-fat for best flavor
- 2 tbsp Pesto - basil, store-bought or homemade
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice - optional, for brightness
- Sea Salt - to taste
Instructions
- Combine the mayonnaise and pesto and in a small bowl.
- Stir in lemon juice, if using, and season with sea salt to taste.
- Mix until smooth and fully blended.
- Chill until ready to serve, or use immediately as a dip, sandwich spread, or veggie sauce.
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