Easy Pesto Yogurt Dip

You know those moments when you need a quick dip for unexpected guests or a casual get-together? That’s exactly why I keep this pesto yogurt dip recipe in my back pocket. I started making it years ago when I wanted something lighter than the usual cream cheese-based dips, but still packed with flavor. The combination of cool yogurt and herby pesto has become my go-to for busy weeknights and lazy weekend snacking.

I love how this dip comes together in just minutes with ingredients I usually have in my fridge. Sometimes I’ll prep it while I’m making dinner and let the flavors mix together overnight. It’s perfect with raw veggies, spread on sandwiches, or served alongside warm pita bread. And the best part? When my kids ask for a snack, I can feel good about saying yes to this one.

What Kind of Greek Yogurt Should I Use?

For this dip, full-fat Greek yogurt will give you the creamiest, most satisfying texture, though 2% will work just fine if you prefer to keep things lighter. Regular yogurt isn’t the best choice here since it’s too thin – you really want that thick, strained Greek-style yogurt to create the perfect dippable consistency. When shopping, look for yogurt that’s pure white and doesn’t have any liquid pooling on top, which is a sign of freshness. A good quality Greek yogurt should be thick enough that a spoon can stand up in it, and brands like Fage or Chobani are reliable choices for this recipe.

Options for Substitutions

This simple dip recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps:

• Kale Cilantro Pesto: You can use any type of pesto you have on hand – traditional basil pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto, or even arugula pesto will work great. Just keep in mind that each variety will give your dip a different flavor profile.
• Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is best for its thick consistency, but you’ve got options! Regular plain yogurt works too – just strain it in a cheesecloth for 30 minutes to remove excess liquid. For a dairy-free version, try thick coconut yogurt, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• Salt and Pepper: While these are optional, you can experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or even a squeeze of lemon juice to adjust the taste to your liking.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making pesto yogurt dip is getting the right consistency – using regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt will make your dip too runny, so stick with thick Greek yogurt for the perfect dippable texture.

Temperature control matters too – mixing the pesto with yogurt straight from the fridge can make it difficult to blend smoothly, so let your yogurt sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before combining.

Adding all the pesto at once can make it hard to adjust the flavor to your liking, so start with 5 tablespoons and gradually add more until you reach your desired taste – remember, you can always add more pesto, but you can’t take it away.

For the smoothest results, try stirring the pesto and yogurt together with a whisk rather than a spoon, which helps break up any clumps and creates a more uniform mixture.

What to Serve With Pesto Yogurt Dip?

This creamy dip is perfect for setting out at parties or keeping in the fridge for healthy snacking throughout the week. Fresh cut vegetables like carrots, cucumber slices, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes make excellent dipping options that add nice crunch and color to your spread. For something more substantial, serve it with warm pita triangles, crusty bread chunks, or your favorite crackers. You can also use this dip as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, or dollop it onto grilled chicken or roasted vegetables for an easy flavor boost.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This pesto yogurt dip stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better after a day as they have time to mingle together! Just give it a quick stir before serving if you notice any separation.

Make Ahead: You can easily prep this dip a day before your party or gathering. In fact, I recommend making it ahead since it gives the pesto and yogurt time to blend their flavors together. Just remember to taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving.

Serving Tip: Take the dip out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off – this lets the flavors shine through better. If you notice any liquid on top, simply stir it back in and you’re good to go!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-650
• Protein: 35-40 g
• Fat: 45-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-25 g

Ingredients

• 7 tbsp store-bought kale cilantro pesto
• 1 cup plain greek-style yogurt
• Salt and ground black pepper, as needed

Step 1: Combine Yogurt and Pesto

• 1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
• 7 tbsp store-bought kale cilantro pesto

In a medium bowl, combine the plain Greek-style yogurt with the store-bought kale cilantro pesto.

Mix both ingredients together so that the flavors can meld before seasoning.

Step 2: Season the Mixture

• salt and ground black pepper, as needed

Stir the yogurt and pesto mixture until it is thoroughly combined.

Taste the mixture and season it with salt and ground black pepper as needed.

I like to add just a pinch of salt at first, then adjust after chilling, as the flavors develop further in the fridge.

Step 3: Chill Before Serving

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dip in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

This helps the flavors to blend and makes the dip wonderfully cool and refreshing.

You can also prepare this up to a day ahead—just give it another quick stir before serving.