Fresh Basil Dressing

This easy Fresh Basil Dressing recipe is a simple vinaigrette made with lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, herbs, garlic, honey, Dijon mustard and extra-virgin olive oil.  

Fresh Basil Vinaigrette is a fresh and flavorful dressing that is perfect for tossing with spring and summer salads!

I love a good homemade salad dressing, and I’m a firm believer that if you have a few good homemade salad dressing recipes that are easy to make, you’re more likely consume more salads.  This simple salad dressing with fresh basil is a quick and easy one to make!

Fresh Basil Dressing Recipe

• Lemon Juice.  We use fresh lemon juice for this recipe. Don’t use the bottled stuff. Fresh is always best!
• Olive Oil.  We use extra-virgin olive oil, but you could easily swap that out and use light olive oil or avocado oil if you like.
• Garlic.  Garlic always adds a nice flavor to salad dressings!
• Sweetener. We use a little pure clover honey to sweeten this vinaigrette, but if you don’t added sweetness, hen omit the honey and add 1 tablespoon of white balsamic vinegar.
• Dijon Mustard. A little mustard adds flavor and helps to emulsify the dressing.
• Basil.   Fresh basil adds a delicious pop of flavor to this vinaigrette.
• Seasoning. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. We also add in a pinch of Italian herbs to the mix for added Italian flavoring.  Rub the herbs between your thumb and fingers as you drop it into the dressing to release their oils.

Find printable recipe with the measurements below.

How To Make Fresh Basil Dressing

This easy fresh basil vinaigrette salad dressing comes together in a pinch and if properly stored in an air-tight container, it can last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

• Juice Lemons.  Juice the lemons. You’ll need about 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
• Prep Ingredients.  Smash and mince garlic, measure juice, oil, honey, mustard, basil and Italian seasoning.
• Whisk.  Whisk together in a medium size bowl the lemon juice and Dijon mustard.  Add the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, basil and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
• Add Oil.  Slowly whisk in the olive oil.  
• Mason Jar Method.  Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid tightly and shake well to blend. Refrigerate before using.  (The mason jar method is how I typically make this dressing).

Serving Suggestions

This dressing goes really well with just about any salad you want to toss it with, but here are a few of my favorites. 

• Romaine Salad
• Spring Mix Salad
• Beet Kale Quinoa Salad
• Everyday Tossed Salad

Looking For More Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes?

• Champagne Vinaigrette
• Maple Vinaigrette
• Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing
• Lemon Olive Oil Dressing
• Fruit Salad Dressing
• Red Wine Vinaigrette
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
• Buffalo Ranch Dressing
• Ginger Salad Dressing
• Greek Salad Dressing
• Italian Salad Dressing
• Avocado Salad Dressing
• Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
• Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

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Yield: 6 Servings

Fresh Basil Dressing

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

This easy Fresh Basil Dressing recipe is made with lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, Italian herbs, garlic, honey, Dijon mustard and extra-virgin olive oil. 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated or minced
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pure clover honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Juice the lemons. You’ll need about 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
2. Smash and mince garlic, measure juice, oil, honey, mustard, basil and Italian seasoning.
3. In a medium size bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and Dijon mustard.  Add the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, basil and Italian seasoning. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.  Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
4. Alternatively, youi can add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid tightly and shake well to blend.

Notes

Variations

• If the vinaigrette is too lemony tart for your taste, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water to mellow the flavor.
• If you prefer to omit the honey, then add 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar.
• Use light olive-oil or avocado oil instead of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Add more fresh basil as you like.
• Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon more Italian herbs.
• Use 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon dried basil instead of Italian herbs.
• Add in 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated.

Storage

Store dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If properly stored, it should last up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 75mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.