Sundried tomato and balsamic pesto dip [Aldi copycat]

Happy nearly Christmas, everyone! Have you ever wanted to recreate a recipe you enjoy from the grocery store or a restaurant, maybe? This sundried tomato and balsamic pesto dip is one of those recipes for me – it’s so delicious! But, you know me, I will avoid preservatives and additives whenever I can (though there’s only one here, thankfully) and also, I just want to be able to eat this dip anytime the hankering strikes. And so, one summer morning, I recreated this recipe from the ingredients list (as you do) and man, I am not looking back. If you’re searching for a great dip recipe for your Christmas table, don’t look any further – this is it, folks.

Sundried tomato dip – perfect for the holidays and New Year’s celebrations
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas this year in your close family circle or you’re lucky enough to be able to host a larger Christmas or New Year’s Eve gathering, this dip will come in handy. It’s filling, bursting with delicious tomato and pesto flavours, and so satisfying with crackers or veggies. Plus, it comes together with a few pantry ingredients and a quick blitz in the food processor – what’s not to like? My kids were sceptical at first, but this dip is honestly pretty addicting – I dare say you (and your guests) will be coming back to the dip bowl over and over again.

So what ingredients do you need for this sundried tomato dip?
- sundried tomato strips – I love these semi sundried tomatoes from Sandhurst – they are not fully dried so are a bit softer and juicier which I love. And the size of the jar (270g) is perfect for this dip! Plus, did you know that sun dried tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants? They have a particularly high concentration of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, which may help protect your skin from the sun. Source: WebMD
- cashews – raw and unsalted cashews, which are low in sugar and rich in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They’re also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health. Source: Healthline
- parmesan – which introduces a bit of cheesiness into the flavour profile of this dip. As parmesan is aged for a long time, it is low in lactose and can be usually tolerated by most people who have lactose intolerance (but can be substituted for another hard cheese if that’s your preference). Parmesan is also high in calcium and phosphorus, which may promote bone health. Source: Healthline
- basil – one of the main ingredients making up the “pesto” part of the dip, basil is one of the oldest known herbs and has many healing and healthful properties. Source: FoodNDTV
- garlic – did you know that garlic contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage and aging? Source: Healthline
- balsamic vinegar – a safe food additive that contains no fat and very little natural sugar. It’s been proven effective to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure, and contains strains of probiotic bacteria. Source: Healthline I have used this delicious raspberry balsamic vinegar here because it smells beautiful and has a lovely fruity taste, but if you don’t have that, regular balsamic vinegar will do.
So, you see, everything that goes into this dip is good, nutritious and wholesome and, in combination with it tasting scrumptious, you should feel absolutely no compunction in serving it to your guests this Christmas. Pair it with some nice lavosh crackers, veggie sticks or pita crackers and enjoy!
And what’s next for me in the copycat recipe land, you ask? I am currently obsessed with snacking on the nut butter filled balls from Health Lab (especially Almond Amaze – I mean, yum!) and so recreating those babies is definitely a job I have set myself for the Christmas holidays. What are your plans?

Recipe
Sundried tomato and balsamic pesto dip [Aldi copycat]
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 270 g jar of semi sundried tomatoes (strips is ideal) – use all of the tomato pieces and additional 6 tbsp of the oil
- 150 g raw unsalted cashews
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 2-3 stalks fresh basil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (I used raspberry balsamic vinegar)
Instructions
- Place the sundried tomato, oil, cashews and parmesan into your food processor and blitz briefly, until the ingredients come together but the texture is still very lumpy.
- Add the basil, garlic and balsamic vinegar into the food processor and blitz again until the ingredients are well incorporated and the cashews are processed into smallish pieces (but not a paste, you want some texture). If I get some larger cashew pieces, I don't mind.
- You can serve this straight away, with crackers or veggie straws.
- Leftover dip will keep in the fridge for about a week.
Notes

Recipe notes
This makes quite a lot of dip so unless you’re having a party, I’d say consider making a half amount first. That said, if you love sundried tomatoes and you love pesto, then absolutely feel free to make the full amount. You won’t regret it.
This dip is also delicious as spread on your morning toast or instead of butter or relish in your sandwich. I have not tried this (as it disappears too quickly every time I make it) but I also suspect it would go great mixed into some cooked pasta, as pesto sauce. Let me know if you’ve tried it this way, I’d love to know.

PS – travel posts are coming!
Thank you SO MUCH for your lovely comments on my last post! I am so encouraged by your lovely words. I will put together a few posts from our recent travels over my Christmas/New Year break and post them (along with my usual food posts) for you all to enjoy. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a New Year – thank you for your friendship and support in 2020; as always, I very much appreciate it.


66 Comments
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
Oh my Katerina!!! This combines so many delicious flavors!! Sun dried tomatoes are one of my favorites and this dip will be perfect for our small, just the four of us this year 🙁 Christmas Eve buffet.
Katerina
I’m so glad you like it, Tasia! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
Marissa
What a delicious and versatile dip (or sandwich spread)! I love this, Katerina.
Katerina
Thanks very much Marissa!
2pots2cook
With you all the way ! Pinned !
Katerina
Thanks so much Davorka!
Allie Mackin
Oh la la this sounds sooooo good, perfect for a party but fun to make just to have around the house. Good to know about halving the recipe.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Allie, lovely to hear from you!
Ron
A very moreish looking dip and not so bad for you either. I love the idea of of having it in the morning, but I’ll be trying it on Swedish crispbread. I’m looking forward to your travel posts as we’re not going anywhere these days…
Katerina
Thank you so much Ron! The idea of having this on crispbread sounds delicious!
Aarthi
The name itself sounds intersting! sundried tomato and pesto are amazing flavors , and this dip would be great on so many dishes, even I’m thinking it would tastes so yum on a pizza, or as a sandwich spread . I’m excited to try it and see how the flavors look like, thanks for sharing this Katerina!
Katerina
Ohhhh, I’m sure it would be fabulous on a pizza, great thinking! Thanks Aarthi!
Molly Pisula
Oooh, this looks like a tasty addition to the Christmas or New Year’s menu. I love sundried tomatoes in all forms, and love the idea of making a dip with them! Well done recreating a favorite of yours!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Molly! No one is happier about that than I am!
Gerlinde de Broekert
I just found a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in my pantry and I hope to make this spread . It has all the ingredients I like. Happy holidays!
Katerina
Such perfect timing, I hope you enjoy it! Happy holidays!
Jill
I love anything with sundried tomatoes and this dip sounds delicious! I’m pinning and making for happy hour this weekend!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Yay, hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much, Jill!
marcie
I love sundried tomatoes so this dip sounds delicious! It’s so festive for the holidays too, and I love that it’s healthier!
Katerina
Thanks very much, Marcie!
Lauren
I’ m always looking for a healthy (or at least healthier) dip to bring to gatherings or serve at holidays — when everyone’s already partaking in sweets and drinks, it seems like the typically creamy dips are too heavy! I think this dip is so perfect and I love the way you presented it! Even the color works well for Christmas!
Katerina
I totally understand that feeling, Lauren, and I’m so glad I could help out! Thanks so much!
Amy Aed
I may be deeply intolerant to tomatoes, but this recipe sounds so delicious that I would love to give it a go! You always manage to perfect these wonderful recipes, I don’t know how you do it!
Katerina
Thanks you so much, Amy, I so appreciate your kind words!
Anika
Love the look and sound of this, especially as it’s the perfect time of year for more dips and platters. Lovely recipe!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Anika!
Jordanne | Ofaglasgowgirl
Wow, this pesto sounds amazing! I have to give this a go, such unique pairings with ingredients and I can imagine this would go down a treat at a Christmas gathering.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Katerina
Thanks very much, Jordanne, I’m so glad you think so!
Laura Bambrick
I’ve made pesto before, but never added sundried tomatoes. I love the idea of adding the oil from the jar of them. Yum! I bet that is so good and flavorful! I definitely need to try this recipe! We love pesto and put it on pizza, pasta, and more!
Katerina
I dare say you will like this dip then, Laura! I hope you get to enjoy it! Thanks so much for your comment.
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Mmm I love sundried tomato and balsamic flavours… this dip would be amazing with appys during the holidays! 🙂
Katerina
Absolutely! Thanks so much, Michelle.
Sophie
I was trying so hard not to drool as I was reading this. This sounds absolutely perfect for me, I have some vegan parmesan in at the minute too so I can actually give this a go. I need to try it soon!
Katerina
Woohoo! Perfect timing then, Sophie, I’m so glad. Hope you enjoy this!
Never Ending Journeys
I love anything and everything with sundried tomatoes, so this dip looks pretty irresitible! That star dish is so beuatiful, too!
Katerina
Thank you so much! And yes, I’m loving that dish too 🙂
Rahul @samosastreet
Love the sound of that sun-dried tomato pesto, definitely need to try this out sometime soon. Thanks for sharing Katerina: )
Katerina
Thanks very much, Rahul!
Aimsy
Ooo this just sounds delicious. I love the mix of sundried tomatoes with basil and garlic. It totally reminds me of summer but would be absolutely perfect with a mixture of party food. Will be bookmarking this to try!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
Katerina
I’m glad you think so, Aimsy! Thanks so much.
Lisa
I adore cashews and raspberry basalmic vinegar (our local farm shop does a range of vinegars and oils) so this is something I’d love to try. Yum, thank you!
Katerina
Thanks so much Lisa! Glad to hear someone else is as excited about raspberry balsamic vinegar as I am!
jodie filogomo
Yep!! I needed this one Katerina. Thanks!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Thanks very much, Jodie!
Judith A. Graber
I am all about dips this season – so many ways to serve it; with chips, veggies, fruit or bread. Pretty and seasonal…
Katerina
Thanks so much, Judith, appreciated!
Renuka Walter
This is a real delicious recipe. These days I’m just looking for different salad recipes and I think sundried tomatoes would be an amazing addition.
Katerina
Great idea! Thanks so much, Renuka!
John / Kitchen Riffs
Wow, amazing flavor combo! I haven’t had the Aldi version, but after seeing this recipe I don’t want it — I want yours! Really good stuff — thanks. And Happy (nearly) Christmas! 🙂
Katerina
Haha.. that’s the best compliment! Thanks so much John!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I love anything with tomatoes and dips are so good this time of year! I have not tried this one from Aldi’s, but your copycat version looks delicious!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thank you so much Carrie! I agree, dips are perfect for celebrations!
David Gascoigne
We are great fans of sun dried tomatoes and often have them in the house, and pesto too. In fact from time to time we make our own basil/pinenut pesto, so this seems like a great opportunity to combine the two. We have to eat, so let’s have variety I say!
Katerina
Exactly my thoughts, David! Thanks so much!
David @ Spiced
I do really enjoy recreating recipes from stores or restaurants. You outdid yourself with this dip, Katerina! This is definitely a unique dip, but that’s part of the reason I’m drawn to it. It sounds delightful – especially with a glass of wine on the side! Perhaps Laura and I will host a cocktail party over the holidays – just for us. Haha. And I do really enjoy finishing dishes with a bit of balsamic. Well done here!
Katerina
Thanks so much, David, much appreciated! Your cocktail party idea sounds so fun – enjoy!
Kathrine Eldridge
Thanks for sharing this yummy holiday dip! Anthing with basalmic makes me happy. The flavors sounds amazing!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Kathrine!
angiesrecipes
I love a good pesto, green or red. This looks seriously yummy with all the quality ingredients that you used here.
Katerina
Thank you so much, Angie, I’m so glad you think so!
Neil
I always like to make my own dips for Christmas and New Year Katerina, avoiding preservatives and additives like yourself too. Thanks for this sundried tomato and balsamic pesto dip, I’ll add that to my dips list!
Katerina
I’m glad I’m not the only one, Neil! Thanks so much – hope you enjoy it!
Sophie Harriet
I need to try this – I’m a fan of sundried tomatoes and pesto! I think I would eat the whole lot in one go though! xx
Katerina
Hi Sophie, I can totally relate – those flavours are amazing! Thanks so much!
Healthy World Cuisine
Katerina, this is such a fun and unique dip. Would have never thought to pair raspberry balsamic with sun dried tomatoes but the sweet plays on the savory and that is really delicious. Might just have to make a full batch as the boys are going to love this one. Pinned to all of our favorite boards.
Katerina
Thanks very much, I’m so pleased you think so! Hope you enjoy this one!