This is the easiest Red Pesto recipe made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and lemon. This sun-dried tomato pesto is whipped up using a blender in less than 5 minutes giving you an umami, rich and intensely flavoured spread that can be used in so many ways, absolutely delicious!Â
Sun-dried tomatoes are so rich and intense in flavour I absolutely love them and often add them to meals like our Sun Dried Tomato Pasta With Roasted Red Pepper or Roasted Red Pepper Soup for an extra punch of flavour!
This red pesto is made almost entirely from jarred sun-dried tomatoes so you know the flavour is going to be insane!
It truly is as simple as recipes get, I mean it literally takes 2 minutes and it's done!
Spread this pesto on some chargrilled crostini and top with dollops of fresh ricotta and torn basil leaves for a quick and delicious appetizer or snack.
Omg, so delicious, it's one of my favourite ways to serve it!
I also love sharing platters or antipasti boards with lots of different little delicious bites to eat. Serve this pesto alongside some marinated olives, cured meats, cheese and you are set!
Well, don't forget the cocktails!
Ingredients - What You Need to Make it
- Sun-dried tomatoes - I use jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil they are usually marinated in herbs and have more than enough seasoning so there is no need to add any salt to this pesto what so ever!
- Lemon - freshly squeezed lemon juice adds freshness and adds so much flavour!
- garlic - fresh garlic only
To Serve (optional)
- Ricotta & Basil - The pesto is so rich and intense in flavour that the ricotta helps to mellow the flavours whilst adding freshness, so delicious!
- Crostini - chargrilled
How to Make Red Pesto - Step by Step
Spoon the sun dried tomatoes out the jar and add to a bowl with garlic and lemon juice.
Blitz it into a smooth paste using a handheld blender adding a tablespoon of reserved oil from the sun-dried tomato jar as needed.
More Serving Suggestions and How to Use it
You can store this pesto in the fridge and add a spoonful to tomato pasta sauces it's a super easy way to add a punch of flavour.
You can also use it to stuff chicken, add a spoonful with a little mozzarella and serve with your favourite sides, YUM!
If you love the idea of serving this red pesto as part of a sharing or antipasti platter then here is what I'd serve it with;
- Marinated olives - this is a quick 5 min recipe and so much cheaper than store-bought gourmet olives
- Cured meats and cheeses - choose a selection of your favourites personally I love Prosciutto Crudo, Finnochiona (fennel salami) and Pecorino (a semi-hard variety).
- Artichoke Dip – Parmesan, Lemon and Garlic - this is super quick and fresh tasting (not the creamy spinach type)
- Chargrilled Crostini - ciabatta bread drizzle with olive oil and grilled on a griddle pan then sprinkled with salt
Drinks that Would go Well
If you're looking for some drinks to go with your nibbles then here are some DELICIOUS cocktails that you don't want to miss out on;
- Limoncello Martini (Lemon Drop Martini)
- Classic Peach Bellini Cocktail
- Aperol Spritz Cocktail
- Classic Campari Cocktail – Spritz
- Sparkling Limoncello Cocktail
Top Tips for Making Red Pesto
- Make sure to use sun-dried tomatoes that are jarred in oil and scoop them out before blending. I like to keep the jarred oil just in case the pesto is too thick and needs a little help to become smoother. Just add a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
- DO NOT season the pesto with salt until you have tasted it, high chances are that is doesn't need any at all because sun-dried tomatoes are already well seasoned.
- You can also add in some pine nuts for a nutty flavour just make sure to keep some oil as you'll need it to blend the pesto.
- If you're not using the pesto the same day then store it in a jar and cover it with oil. It'll keep well in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- You can also freeze this pesto and thaw as needed.
More pesto recipes to try
If you've tried this Red Pesto Recipe or any other recipe on the blog please let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I'm getting up to.
📖 Full Recipe
Red Pesto (sun-dried tomato)
Ingredients
- 2 cups sun dried tomatoes in oil (300g)
- 1 clove garlic
- squeeze of lemon
- 3-4 tablespoon reserved oil from jar
Instructions
- Spoon the sun dried tomatoes into a bowl, do not add all the oil just as much as comes out when transferring them into a bowl.
- Add the garlic, and squeeze of lemon to the bowl. Blitz it all together to a thick paste using a handheld blender.
Notes
- Make sure to use sun-dried tomatoes that are jarred in oil and scoop them out before blending. I like to keep the jarred oil just in case the pesto is too thick and needs a little help to become smoother. Just add a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
- DO NOT season the pesto with salt until you have tasted it, high chances are that is doesn't need any at all because sun-dried tomatoes are already well seasoned.
- You can also add in some pine nuts for a nutty flavour just make sure to keep some oil as you'll need it to blend the pesto.
- If you're not using the pesto the same day then store it in a jar and cover it with oil. It'll keep well in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- You can also freeze this pesto and thaw as needed.
Nutrition
- I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
- When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
- All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
- All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
- Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
- Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
- You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
Andrea Metlika
I had no idea this was this easy to make. It's perfect for appetizers or to add to pasta. Can't wait to make this.
Jacqueline Debono
I love sun-dried tomato pesto. It really is so so flavourful and you are right, great with ricotta!
Bry
I've never added lemon to my red pesto, but it makes so much sense! I'll definitely be tryig your recipe next time I need a red pesto xx
Veena Azmanov
Homemade is the best. Love the color and the best option for my table set up. Delicious...
Erica Schwarz
I always buys this stuff and never thought to make it on my own. This looks amazing and so easy!
Inside the rustic kitchen
It really is super easy! Thanks so much Erica.
Lorraine
This is one of my favourite snack, so delicious!
Inside the rustic kitchen
So glad you love it!
julieryan7
This looks amazing!
insidetherustickitchen
Thank you! You should try it out, really is delicious!