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    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    Published: Jun 25, 2020 · Modified: Jul 14, 2020 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 22 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
    ingredients for sweet basil vinaigrette
    blending vinaigrette with an immersion blender
    blending vinaigrette with an immersion blender
    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    sweet basil vinaigrette in a small mason jar

    Looking for a new way to use fresh basil? Sweet Basil Vinaigrette is here for it. Sweet, tangy, and absolutely packed with fresh basil, this fresh green dressing is great on green salads, for dipping vegetables, or tossed into a pasta salad.

    This recipe was one that I first published back in 2013, but it’s been showing up on our table so frequently this summer that it’s back with all new photos. I also wanted to share a few of the many ways I’ve been using it since I first started making it (seven years ago)!

    ingredients for sweet basil vinaigrette including lemon, honey, olive oil, white wine vinegar, and basil

    How to Make Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    The ingredients for sweet basil vinaigrette are similar to most vinaigrettes, but include fresh basil. Be sure to use the freshest basil you can find, since this will be the primary flavor in the finished recipe. 

    blending vinaigrette with an immersion blender

    To make the vinaigrette, combine basil leaves, shallot, vinegar, honey, and salt. You can do this in a jar and use an immersion Blender to blend it or use a standing blender or food processor. Just be sure that the blades of the blender or food processor sit low enough to be immersed in the ingredients as they blend. Blend or pulse those ingredients until broken apart and evenly combined.

    With the blades running, slowly drizzle olive oil into the basil vinaigrette. (Adding the olive oil slowly will help it to emulsify and create a smooth vinaigrette). Blend until smooth.

    blending vinaigrette with an immersion blender

    Ways to Use Vinaigrette

    Homemade vinaigrettes aren’t just for salads. Try using leftover vinaigrette for:

    • Dipping Vegetables
    • Dipping chips or pita bread
    • Dressing pasta salad (I like it in this Greek-inspired pasta salad) 
    • Tossing with a bean salad (it’s great in this Caprese Bean Salad) 
    • Dipping appetizers (like Caprese Skewers) 
    • Marinating meats / fish
    • Brushing over roasted or grilled vegetables

    pouring vinaigrette into small glass mason jar

    More Ways to Use Fresh Basil

    • Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
    • Plum Tarts with Sweet Basil Honey
    • Tortellini, Basil, and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup
    • Sauteed Chickpeas with Tomato, Basil, and Halloumi
    • Lemongrass Basil Snack Mix

    Favorite Tools for Making Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    • Standing Blender or Immersion Blender
    Print Recipe
    4.46 from 11 votes

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    Looking for a new way to use fresh basil? Sweet Basil Vinaigrette is here for it. Sweet, tangy, and absolutely packed with fresh basil, this fresh green dressing is great on green salads, for dipping vegetables, or tossed into a pasta salad.
    This makes about 1 cup of vinaigrette.
    Want to adjust the servings in this recipe to make more or less? Click on the number next to servings below.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Salad Dressing
    Keyword: basil recipe, homemade dressing
    Servings: 14
    Calories: 106kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $3

    Ingredients

    • 20 leaves Fresh Basil
    • 2 tsp chopped Shallot
    • 1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Honey
    • 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
    • 3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Instructions

    • Combine basil leaves, shallot, vinegar, honey, and salt in a jar (if using an immersion blender) or the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until evenly combined.
    • With the blades running, slowly add olive oil to the other ingredients. Blend until smooth.
    • Can be made up to 3 days ahead.

    Notes

    The vinaigrette may separate if made ahead and refrigerated. Just give it a good stir before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2g | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Filed Under: Recipes, Sauces and Dressings, Summer

    About Jess

    Hi, I'm Jess, an amateur cook turned professional recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer specializing in quick and easy meals that make weeknights a bit more fun. I love sharing my kitchen and my journey as a chef with other home cooks on this blog. Learn more about me here.

    Previous Post: « Pesto Pasta Salad
    Next Post: Watermelon, Feta and Arugula Salad »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sally @ sallys baking addiction

      May 20, 2013 at 11:53 pm

      Yep, I’d use this on all of my salads. And on my favorite chicken pasta salad with strawberries. It would be divine!

      Reply
      • Jess

        May 21, 2013 at 9:46 am

        Yum, Sally! Chicken pasta salad with strawberries – that sounds incredible!

        Reply
    2. Clare

      May 21, 2013 at 1:43 am

      That just screams summer! Yummers!

      Reply
    3. Claire @ Claire K Creations

      May 21, 2013 at 9:13 am

      I love love love basil. I’m posting a little trick to grow it next week Jess so you can keep it on hand if you get another delivery of it in your box.
      The oozy photo at the end makes me want to lick the screen!

      Reply
      • Jess

        May 21, 2013 at 9:47 am

        Hooray, Claire! You have all the best gardening/growing things tricks. Looking forward to it.

        Reply
    4. Averie @ Averie Cooks

      May 21, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      I would pour this over just about everything I could!

      Reply
    5. Feast on the Cheap

      May 21, 2013 at 8:32 pm

      How pretty is this! You always have the most gorgeous photos (and delish recipes, natch)

      Reply
    6. Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion

      May 21, 2013 at 9:19 pm

      I have way to many store bought salad dressings, I need a fresh one

      Reply
    7. Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste

      May 22, 2013 at 12:16 am

      Love this! I’m always on the hunt for new salad dressings and can’t wait to try this one!

      Reply
    8. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker

      May 22, 2013 at 11:28 am

      I love the idea of basil dressing! Must be tasty with pasta salads too –yum!

      Reply
    9. Claudia ~ Food with a View

      May 22, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      Great idea to serve basil with some sweetness added to it! I will keep that in mind – thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    10. Hannah

      May 23, 2013 at 3:25 am

      Great recipe! I always make my own dressings and loved this new twist. We enjoyed it on a salad with salmon & curried cauliflower and then the next day on a wrap. Next time, I’ll make double because I ran out too quickly!

      Reply
      • Jess

        May 23, 2013 at 7:16 am

        Hannah – thanks so much for the great ideas! You’ve got me wanting to make curried cauliflower now!

        Reply
      • Pat

        July 26, 2017 at 2:08 pm

        Finally someone on a recipe blog who commented after really trying the recipe Thanks sooo much!

        Reply
    11. Debra

      May 23, 2013 at 6:52 am

      I have a whole pot of Thai basil in the green house that finally needs moved outside. I love all basils and I usually have four or five varieties.

      Have a good trip!

      Reply
      • Jess

        May 23, 2013 at 7:17 am

        It’s only since moving here that I realize just how varied basil is, Debra. There are so many ways to use it. You give me hope that I’ll be able to have Thai basil on-hand when I get back to the US!

        Reply
    12. Katie (The Muffin Myth)

      June 04, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      Hi Jess! I haven’t done much over the last month other than work and school, but we did put in a small garden on our patio one weekend, and we do have a particularly luscious basil plant. This vinaigrette looks just perfect! I’ll have to whiz up a jar and keep it on hand so we can enjoy the basil flavour on everything while we still have it. Thanks for yet another great recipe!

      Reply
    13. Elyssa

      June 12, 2013 at 5:24 am

      This dressing is so versatile. I have tried it on green salads as well as pasta & faro salads. I have directed my clients to your website and they have also enjoyed it. The lemon and honey are the perfect complement to the fresh basil. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jess

        June 12, 2013 at 6:06 am

        Elyssa – thanks so much for the feedback. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve liked it and that it will be useful for your clients.

        Reply
    14. Csshoe

      September 02, 2013 at 10:57 pm

      Love it. Look forward to curried cauliflower …I too would love the recipe
      San

      Reply
    15. Cara Harrington

      September 16, 2014 at 12:42 am

      I love this and I am actually eating at work right now on my salad with fresh greens feta strawberries and Swai fish. Its absolutely wonderful! Better than any store bought dressing. You just throw everything in the food processor. Well worth it!

      Reply
      • Jess

        July 27, 2017 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks so much for letting me know, Cara! That salad definitely sounds like an above-average work lunch!!

        Reply

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    Hi there! We're Jess and Frank. We live in Kansas City with our three daughters. Our recipes are made with busy families in mind. We lived in Thailand which inspired us to cook flavorful, fun meals at home and we know you can too. We believe in your inner cook! More...

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