Basil Vinaigrette

Bright and fresh, this homemade basil vinaigrette is a flavorful herby dressing that is not just for salads! Make a large batch and serve it over some chicken, fish, potatoes, vegetables, or pasta. It’s a wonderfully delicious vinaigrette that only requires 6 simple ingredients.

I love this basil vinaigrette! It’s so easy to make with a few simple ingredients and is easily customizable! It’s perfect during the summer when there’s an abundance of fresh, sweet basil.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easily customizable! Want more fresh, tart flavor? Add some lemon. Want it spicier? Add some red chili flakes! Want it sweeter? Add some honey!
• It’s extremely easy to make. All you have to do is throw everything into a food processor and let it do all the work.
• It’s versatile! I love this vinaigrette on salad but also on protein and veggies! It’s SO good on grilled chicken breasts and grilled chicken thighs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• basil — fresh basil is a must for this vinaigrette! Use sweet basil. Thai basil is usually right beside the fresh basil at the store, so make sure you’re grabbing the correct one.
• shallots — I like using half to a whole shallot as it has a delicate and sweet flavor with just a hint of sharpness.
• garlic — one clove of garlic is enough to add a tiny bit of heat and sharpness.
• salt & pepper
• oil — use your oil of choice. I like to use olive oil or avocado oil.

How to Make Basil Vinaigrette

• To a food processor, add the basil, shallot, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil.
• Blend it until well combined and smooth.
• Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of lemon zest for some extra brightness to the basil vinaigrette.
• For a little bit of extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes!
• This basil vinaigrette can double as a marinade as well!
• Don’t have a food processor? Use a blender instead! This is the food processor I use.
• If you are washing the basil leaves beforehand, make sure to pat it dry thoroughly, as any leftover water won’t mix well with the oil.

Make Ahead Tips

• This basil vinaigrette will keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s normal for vinaigrettes to separate in the fridge. Simply give it a shake before you use it.
• If you use a high quality olive oil, odds are that it will solidify in the fridge. Not to worry, it’s totally normal! Let the vinaigrette sit out at room temperature for around 30 minutes before using it so it comes back to room temperature, or place it in a warm water bath.

Salads to Try

Want some salad recipes to serve with this salad dressing? Try these ones:

• Peach Quinoa Salad
• Chopped Chicken Salad
• Chicken Cobb Salad (Meal Prep)
• Chopped Salad with Shrimp
• Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberries
• BLT Salad with Chicken
• Spinach Strawberry Salad

More Salad Dressings to Try

• Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
• Hummus Salad Dressing
• Honey Mustard Dressing
• Citrus Salad Dressing
• Blueberry Vinaigrette
• Strawberry Vinaigrette
• Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
• Creamy Roasted Garlic Dressing

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