The Best Basil Vinaigrette
This basil vinaigrette salad dressing recipe is a summer favorite because of all the fresh basil and is the perfect addition to salad like: Avocado Salad, Kale Summer Salad and Strawberry Burrata Summer Salad. We always have so many basil leaves growing in the garden so we are always finding new ways to use them in various recipes. Don’t be intimidated like we were, just go for it! Trust us, you won’t regret it!
Looking for another homemade vinaigrette recipe? You have to try our Greek Vinaigrette – another delicious dressing that can be used in so many different ways!
Key Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- fresh basil leaves – you should be able to find plenty on the basil plant growing in your herb garden (if you have one), at your local grocery store, or farmer’s market.
- lemon juice & lemon zest – a little bit of acidity to make it a light and bright dressing!
- extra virgin olive oil – an essential ingredient for most homemade salad dressings.
- kosher salt & ground black pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!
- fresh garlic – everything is better with a little bit of garlic in the mix.
- shallot – try to look for a small-ish shallot. They come in all different sizes and you don’t want the flavors to be too overpowering by using a really big shallot.
- rice vinegar – added for a little bite that is very mild.
How To Make Basil Vinaigrette
Step 1: Now place all of those ingredients in a small food processor or blender. You could also place everything in a tall jar and mix with an immersion blender.
Step 2: Blend everything on the high setting and in a matter of seconds you will have a dressing with a perfectly smooth texture.
Step 3: Store for later in an airtight container!
Step 4: Or use on or with any of your favorite recipes
Best Ways To Enjoy A Basil Vinaigrette
Let us count the ways! Our favorite part is that there are so many great ways to enjoy this simple basil dressing. Our all-time favorite way is to generously pour it on our Summer Grain Salad (shown below)! It would also be great on a grilled salmon salad, an easy grilled chicken salad, grilled flank steak salad, or any other summer salad. Beyond salads, you could also drizzle it over some grilled chicken thighs, spread some on the bread of a grilled chicken sandwich, or over some air fried salmon fillets!
Recipe FAQ
- Other fresh herbs: feel free to toss some other fresh herbs in the mix! A little bit of fresh cilantro or fresh parsley would compliment the basil well.
- Other flavors: feel free to get creative with this basil vinaigrette dressing! To play with the flavors you could add some apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or some red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Freezing: this fresh basil vinaigrette is a good recipe to store in the freezer! We love to pour some into ice cube trays, freeze, pop them out, and store them in a reusable storage bag. That way we can thaw individual portions and enjoy them as needed.
Other Salad Dressing Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon shallot, minced
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a small blender or food processor. Blend until consistency is smooth.ย
- Taste and add additional salt as needed for flavor or add additional olive oil to thin.ย
- Serve on your favorite salads or use with our favorite Summer Farro Salad!
Notes
- Storage: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Serving: we love this on a Summer Grain Salad or enjoy on any other salad recipe for a light, flavorful homemade dressing!ย ย
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