If you need a simple homemade salad dressing, this basil balsamic vinaigrette will easily become a new favorite. With a few simple ingredients and fresh herbs, this homemade vinaigrette will be a staple in your house this summer (or all year long).
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Why you’ll love this
I absolutely love this basil vinaigrette because of the simple and bright flavors that it adds to any salad or side dish.
It’s such a flavorful dressing and it’s made with basic ingredients like basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a little bit of honey for the perfect balance of tangy, herby and sweet.
Fresh basil leaves add the perfect burst of bright flavor to your favorite salads and this dressing is a great way to use up the leftover basil we end up with all summer long.
It also makes a great marinade for chicken or veggies to throw on your grill.
If you’re new to making your own salad dressings, prepare to majorly up your salad game. I’m no stranger to store-bought dressings, but homemade versions just have the best flavor!
I also love making my own dressings to help cut down on grocery spending and bonus- I know exactly what ingredients are in my dressing.
This homemade vinaigrette can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container like a mason jar with a lid for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Let’s get into what you need!
Ingredients
- Extra-virgin olive oil: I prefer extra virgin olive oil for dressings or marinades like this one but you can use avocado oil or any other oil that you like.
- Balsamic vinegar: Tangy balsamic vinegar is perfect for pairing with basil which is no surprise if you’ve ever had Caprese salad!
- Fresh basil leaves: Fresh basil leaves work best here over the dried basil leaves. (PS- did you know you can grow herbs indoors all year long?)
- Fresh garlic clove: Fresh garlic adds a ton of zesty flavor to any homemade salad dressing. If you don’t have any on hand you can sub in garlic powder too.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard works best here over regular yellow mustard for flavor and texture.
- Honey: Be your own chef here and add more honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing and less if you prefer a more tart dressing. You can also use maple syrup in place of honey.
- Salt
- Black pepper
Step-by-step instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Process on high until all ingredients are finely blended and dressing is emulsified.
- If you don’t have a blender or food processor available, finely mince the basil and garlic (or microplane the garlic), and then whisk all ingredients until fully emulsified.
Recipe FAQ
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container like a mason jar with a tight fitting lid for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to give it a good shake before serving!
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?
If you can’t find the fresh basil, you can omit or try 1-2 tsp of dried basil. Keep in mind, the swap will change the flavor of the vinaigrette.
Variations
- Change up the vinegar and use sweeter white balsamic vinegar (my absolute fave), red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar. The flavor will change a bit but it will still be delicious!
- If you like a creamier dressing, make it a creamy basil balsamic by adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or mayo.
- Swap out the dressing and use this one for my Easy Cucumber Chickpea Salad.
- Omit the fresh basil if you cannot find or if it’s out of season and you’ll be left with a simple balsamic vinaigrette instead!
What to serve with this dressing
This easy basil balsamic vinaigrette is really versatile and can be used with many different dishes like:
- Pasta salad
- Cucumber Chickpea Salad
- Caprese salad
- Marinade for chicken or veggies
- Dipping sauce for veggies or crusty bread
- Simple green salads
- Simple sliced veggies like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes
Shop this recipe
- Food processor (my favorite)
- Blender (my favorite)
- Immersion Blender (this one is great if you don’t have room for a food processor or table-top blender!)
- Microplane
- Mason jars with lids
- Portable salad dressing containers with lids
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- Sherry Shallot Dressing
- Creamy Balsamic Date Dressing
- 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad
- High-Protein Pasta Salad
Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2-3 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt more to taste
- pinch black pepper more to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Process on high until all ingredients are finely blended and dressing is emulsified.
- If you don’t have a blender or food processor available, finely mince the basil and garlic (or microplane the garlic), and then whisk all ingredients until fully emulsified.
