Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Salsa Pesto

    Published: Mar 4, 2024 · Modified: May 12, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This Salsa Pesto is a tasty and fresh fusion recipe that combines tomato salsa and basil pesto to create a brand-new condiment. It is tart, light, and bursting with amazing garlic flavor. It can be used in so many ways.

    Salsa pesto in a bowl surrounded by tortilla cups on a platter.

    This chunky salsa pesto dip can be used in so many ways. It’s fantastic for dipping but it can also top meats, salads, or even pasta! Who knew salsa with basil would be so incredibly delicious?

    My favorite part is that it’s so easy to make and there’s very little preparation involved. The pesto makes the fresh veggies pop by adding more garlic flavor and great texture. The next time you make a simple salsa, think of giving pesto salsa a try. It's like a cross between pesto and pico de gallo.

    For similar recipes, you should try this Easy Homemade Tomato Salsa, Salsa con Queso and Smoked Salsa.

    Why You’ll Love This Salsa Pesto Recipe

    • Easy to Make: Besides chopping some veggies, there’s very little work needed to make this recipe! 
    • Fresh Ingredients: The texture of the fresh produce brings out all of the best notes in the pesto. 
    • Balanced Flavors: This pesto salsa is sweet, heat, and savory all in one perfect bite.

    Ingredients

    This is everything you need to make fresh and tasty salsa pesto.

    Ingredients to make salsa pesto on a cutting board on the table.
    • Tomatoes: Any variety of fresh tomatoes will work beautifully. Some of my favorite varieties are heirloom, plum, and cherry.
    • Red onion: The subtle crunch and sweetness of the red onion tastes amazing in this salsa pesto. If you don’t like larger pieces, you can finely dice it.
    • Pesto: Use your favorite brand of basil pesto. You can even make it homemade if you prefer.
    • Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro adds great flavor to Mexican cuisine and complements the recipe perfectly.
    • Jalapeno: Minced jalapeno adds a kick without being overly spicy. Remove the membranes and seeds to reduce more of the heat.
    • Lime: You will need both fresh lime juice and zest for this recipe. It brings the whole dish together.
    • Garlic: I love the addition of the extra garlic. Since the pesto has garlic, you may omit this ingredient if you like.
    • Salt and pepper: Add just enough of each to taste. You may need more or less depending on the saltiness of your pesto.

    See the recipe card below for the full list and exact quantities of each ingredient.

    Variations

    • Extra spicy: Use habaneros instead of jalapenos or add a touch of cayenne pepper if you crave more heat.
    • Make it tropical: Add diced mango or pineapple to this salsa pesto for extra sweetness.
    • Corn and black bean: Make an extra hearty version by adding roasted corn and black beans.

    How to Make Salsa Pesto

    Making this recipe is easier than ever. It’s ready to eat in just 10 minutes.

    1. Combine ingredients. Place all of the ingredients for the salsa basil pesto in a large bowl. Gently toss until well combined.
    2. Serve. Enjoy with chips or with your favorite meal.
    Ingredients to make pesto salsa added to a mixing bow.
    Pesto salsa is mixed together in a large glass bowl.

    ⭐️ Hint: The juices from the tomato might make it a bit thin so you can remove the seeds and excess liquid before adding it to the salsa pesto for a thicker dip.

    If you enjoy this recipe, try this pesto mayo recipe or our Cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken recipe next!

    A bowl of pesto and salsa mixed together on the table in front of a bowl of chips and a spoon lifting some up from the bowl.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve pesto salsa as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers, veggies, Air Fryer Pita Chips, or Air Fryer Bagel Chips.
    • It tastes great with chicken. Serve over Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos or with Sous Vide Chicken Thighs.
    • For a creative twist, the flavors pair wonderfully with Risotto Pasta.
    A bowl of salsa pesto on the table with tomatoes and cilantro in the background.

    Tips

    • Use fresh ingredients. Make sure all of your produce is fresh and the tomatoes are ripe for the best results.
    • Chill before serving. This salsa pesto is ready to eat immediately but I like to put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.
    • Add basil. If you love the basil flavor, consider adding freshly chopped basil or swapping the cilantro to make it more of a salsa basil pesto.
    • Drain the tomatoes. This helps reduce liquid resulting in a nice thick dip.
    • Storing tip. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This recipe can’t be frozen because there will be a lot of excess moisture when thawed and the veggies will take on a mushy texture.

    FAQ

    Can I make it ahead of time?

    I wouldn’t recommend making this pesto salsa too far ahead because it tastes best when it is as fresh as possible. A couple of hours is fine but not a day or two.

    How do I make it less spicy?

    If heat isn’t your thing, you may remove jalapenos from this recipe.

    Can I make the salsa pesto smoother?

    This is a chunky salsa pesto recipe but you may put the ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse a few times to give it a smoother texture.

    A hand reaching with a tortilla cup to dip up a bit of the salsa pesto.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Delicious Pesto Recipes

    Do you like cooking with pesto? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!

    • Pesto Salmon
    • Pesto Gnocchi Recipe
    • Pesto Salad Dressing with Lemon
    • A spoonful of tortellini pesto salad up over the bowl.
      Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A bowl of salsa pesto on a platter surrounded by crispy tortilla chips.

    Salsa Pesto

    Karin and Ken
    This Salsa Pesto is a tasty and fresh fusion recipe that combines tomato salsa and basil pesto to create a brand-new condiment. It is tart, light, and bursting with amazing garlic flavor. It can be used in so many ways.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dip, Sauce
    Cuisine Italian, Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 183 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups fresh tomatoes diced
    • 1 cup red onion chopped
    • 1 cup prepared pesto
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
    • ¼ cup jalapeno pepper minced
    • 1 Tablespoon lime zest
    • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 clove fresh garlic
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients until well combined.
    • Serve immediately, or chilled with chips, crackers or veggies for dipping.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use fresh ingredients. Make sure all of your produce is fresh and the tomatoes are ripe for the best results.
    • Chill before serving. This salsa pesto is ready to eat immediately but I like to put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.
    • Add basil. If you love the basil flavor, consider adding freshly chopped basil or swapping the cilantro to make it more of a salsa basil pesto.
    • Drain the tomatoes. This helps reduce liquid resulting in a nice thick dip.
    • Storing tip. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This recipe can’t be frozen because there will be a lot of excess moisture when thawed and the veggies will take on a mushy texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 391mgPotassium: 179mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1380IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 0.5mg
    Keyword salsa pesto
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • A Big mac quesadilla cut into triangles and stacked together.
      Big Mac Quesadilla
    • A crispy parmesan zucchini bite being held in the air dipped in sauce.
      Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Bites
    • Rhubarb simple syrup in a jar with a spoon scooping some out.
      Rhubarb Simple Syrup
    • Big mac egg rolls cut in half and stacked on top a pile of others.
      Big Mac Egg Rolls

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular July 4th Recipes!

    • A slice of red, white, and blue cheesecake on a stack of white plates.
      Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake
    • 4th of July candy chocolate bark leaned up against other chocolate bark.
      4th of July Chocolate Bark
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • A slice of red white and blue cake being held up by a metal spatula.
      Red, White, and Blue Cake

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A slice of strawberry charlotte cake on a plate topped with fresh strawberries.
      Strawberry Charlotte
    • A slice of Oreo delight on a white plate garnished with an Oreo cookie.
      No-Bake Oreo Delight
    • A slice of Funfetti ice cream cake on a blue plate.
      Funfetti Ice Cream Cake for Birthdays & More
    • A stack of three frozen s'mores bars on top of each other.
      Frozen S’mores

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved