Bright and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Light up your summer dishes with this delicious Basil Vinaigrette! Crafted in just about 5 minutes with a blender, it’s a refreshing and vibrant addition to your meals.
This tantalizing vinaigrette has become a staple in my kitchen over the years of running my catering business. It’s a foolproof recipe that delivers freshness with every drizzle. Perfectly versatile, it brings everything from grilled veggies to seafood, salads, and grain bowls to life. And now I’m thrilled to share it with you—let’s dive in!
What makes this vinaigrette so special? It’s the perfect blend of robust garlic, zesty vinegar, and sweet, aromatic basil. While you might have seen variations of this recipe elsewhere, its simplicity and elegance make it a must-have in every home.
Here’s Why You’ll Love It!
- Chef-Tested: This vinaigrette has been a star at many catering events!
- Fast & Easy: You can whip it up in less than 10 minutes with a blender.
- Versatile: It fits right in with salads, grilled vegetables, seafood, and bowls!
Basil Vinaigrette Serving Ideas
Consider drizzling it over:
- Grilled zucchini and eggplant
- Caprese salad for a flavorful kick
- Pasta salad for added zest
- Fresh greens and sautéed veggies
Basil Vinaigrette Ingredients
- Basil: Use fresh, packed basil leaves—preferably from your garden or local farmers market!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Choose a high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- White Wine Vinegar: Alternatively, you can use red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Garlic Cloves and Shallot: These add a savoury and aromatic note.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for elevating all the flavors.
How to Make Basil Vinaigrette
1. Combine Ingredients:
Start by adding all the ingredients into a blender: fresh basil leaves, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, shallot, a splash of water, kosher salt, and black pepper.
2. Pulse Until Smooth:
Pulse the blender repeatedly until the mixture is nearly smooth, but don’t over-blend; a tiny bit of texture adds to the charm!
Storage Instructions
Transfer your delicious basil vinaigrette into a sealed jar and store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 4-5 days, making it easy for you to grab whenever you need it.
More Salad Dressing Recipes!
FAQs
This simple vinaigrette primarily consists of fresh basil, olive oil, and white wine vinegar. We enhance the flavor with garlic and shallots!
For a basil oil dressing, you can skip the vinegar, garlic, and shallot. Using a food processor gives you a thicker texture, but the added ingredients provide depth and flavor that many love!
While basil shines in this recipe, other fresh herbs like chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, or tarragon also make delightful additions to vinaigrettes.
