This balsamic vinaigrette with fresh basil is a versatile summer salad dressing that is easy to make and adds a burst of herbaceous flavor to any dish. Made with simple ingredients, this vinaigrette is perfect for salads, roasted vegetables, and even grilled meats.
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If you like a bold salad dressing, you are going to want to stick around for this recipe. Aged balasmic, fresh herbs and just a dab of honey. It seems simple, but looks are deceiving.
This basil dressing is perfect for strawberry salads, fresh tomato salad, or a new way to sweeten up any bitter greens. Try massaging into kale and topping with feta!
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📖Why My Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The tangy balsamic vinegar is complemented by the sweetness of honey, while the fresh basil and garlic add a herby, savory note.
- Texture: The Dijon mustard acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Fresh Basil- While other dressings rely on dried herbs, the basil shines in my recipe. It's like fresh pesto and your favorite balsamic vinaigrette had a little party.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Balsamic Vinegar- Use a good quality aged balsamic vinegar for the richest flavor. Aged balsamic vinegar is thicker and sweeter than regular balsamic vinegar and works particularly well in this recipe. While white balsamic will give you a lighter color and flavor, but is harder to find.
- Basil- Fresh basil is essential to this recipe. No substitutes!
- Honey- Any type of honey will work in this recipe, but we recommend using a mild, floral variety to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
- Dijon Mustard- This acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a smooth, creamy texture. If you don't have Dijon mustard, you can use whole-grain mustard instead.
- Garlic- Use fresh garlic for a robust flavor. Use roasted garlic if you prefer something lighter.
🍲How to Make Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
There are two ways to make this recipe, either in a blender or by hand. I highly recommend using a high-speed blender or food processor. An immersion blender won't work as well.
Blender Method
- Add the balsamic vinegar, fresh basil leaves, garlic, Dijon mustard, and honey to a blender. Pulse the ingredients together until they are well combined.
- Slowly stream in the extra-virgin olive oil while continuing to blend. This will help to emulsify the ingredients and create a smooth and creamy dressing.
- Finally, taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
By Hand
- To start, you'll need to chop the fresh basil leaves and garlic very finely. You can use a sharp knife to do this, but a mortar and pestle are better. The goal is to get the ingredients as finely chopped as possible so that they will mix together easily and the basil will release its flavor.
- Add the balsamic vinegar, fresh basil leaves, garlic, Dijon mustard, and honey to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly add a steady stream of oil while whisking constantly.
🥣 How to Use Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
This basil balsamic vinaigrette dressing pairs especially well with greens like arugula and spinach. It is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways beyond the basic salad dressing.
It pairs well with savory peach and nectarine recipes, chickpea salads, and makes a great dipping sauce for air-fried vegetables. Toss it with pasta for a quick and flavorful pasta salad.
Drizzle it over grilled vegetables, chicken, or fish to add flavor and moisture. This recipe makes a spectacular marinade for meats before grilling. I especially like it on grilled chicken breast.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
If you want to give this vinaigrette an extra burst of flavor, try adding a teaspoon of chopped shallots to the mix. This will add a slightly sweet and tangy note to the dressing that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
More Sensational Salad Dressings
🌡️Storing Leftovers
Leftover basil balsamic vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Before using, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Give the dressing a good shake or stir to re-emulsify the ingredients.
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📖 Recipe Card
Fresh Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the basil, balsamic, garlic, honey, and mustard to a blender. Pulse to combine.¼ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey
- Slowly stream in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
Equipment
- High Speed Blender
Nutrition
Common Recipe Questions
If your salad dressing is too sweet, you can balance the flavors by adding a bit more acidity. I wouldn't add more sweet balsamic vinegar; instead, try adding a little fresh lemon juice.
If it's too acidic, you can add a little bit of honey. Adding sweetness will neutralize the acid.
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