Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
Published Jun 25, 2020•Updated Jul 08, 2024
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Looking for a new way to use fresh basil? Sweet Basil Vinaigrette is here for it. Sweet, tangy, and packed with fresh basil leaves, 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 and tips. 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)! While most of my vinaigrette recipes start with the foundation included in my post on how to make balsamic vinaigrette dressing, this basil vinaigrette is great if blended until creamy and smooth.
Here’s everything you need to know!
How to Make Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
The ingredients for sweet basil vinaigrette are similar to most vinaigrettes, but include fresh basil. Whisk or blend together vinegar, honey, and shallot. Add chopped fresh basil leaves and olive oil. For a very smooth dressing, blend everything together. Be sure to use the freshest basil you can find, since this will be the primary flavor in the finished recipe.
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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.
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
Ways to Use Fresh Basil
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Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Food Processor or Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 20 leaves Fresh Basil
- 2 teaspoons chopped Shallot (optional)
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1/4 teaspoon 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
Hannah – thanks so much for the great ideas! You’ve got me wanting to make curried cauliflower now!
Finally someone on a recipe blog who commented after really trying the recipe Thanks sooo much!
Great idea to serve basil with some sweetness added to it! I will keep that in mind – thanks for the inspiration!
I love the idea of basil dressing! Must be tasty with pasta salads too –yum!
Love this! I’m always on the hunt for new salad dressings and can’t wait to try this one!
I have way to many store bought salad dressings, I need a fresh one
How pretty is this! You always have the most gorgeous photos (and delish recipes, natch)
I would pour this over just about everything I could!
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!
Hooray, Claire! You have all the best gardening/growing things tricks. Looking forward to it.
That just screams summer! Yummers!
Yep, I’d use this on all of my salads. And on my favorite chicken pasta salad with strawberries. It would be divine!
Yum, Sally! Chicken pasta salad with strawberries – that sounds incredible!