Basil Vinaigrette (and 20+ recipes to use it!)

Hands down one of the most popular creations here - my simple Basil Vinaigrette Recipe. Not even exaggerating, it's the best vinaigrette in the world and it's going to make your recipes THAT much better! The versatility is epic. Its perfect for a Loaded Salad, to this delicious summer Tomato Basil Pasta, and so many amazing fish recipes such as this grilled salmon.

Why I Love This Recipe

I’m all about taking a shortcut in the kitchen every now and then – and that is exactly what this Basil Vinaigrette allows me to do! It’s my go-to basil salad dressing (and has been since I first posted it in 2014) for all of my favorite summer meals and you’ll be seeing it make an appearance in a few recipes over the next several weeks as I try to stretch out this California summer until November 🙂  

I whip up a batch of Basil Vinaigrette every few days and keep it on hand for anytime I’m in a pinch and need to eat something STAT. It goes beautifully on a salad, on top of come cooked vegetables, mixed into a pasta or rice, topped on some chicken, steak or fish... you get the idea. It literally works with everything. It can very easily brighten up, or just be a great change for your go-to recipes, like an alternate dressing for the whole roasted cauliflower.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Shallot
• Basil
• Garlic
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper

*See recipe card for all specifics and alterations.

How to Make Basil Vinaigrette

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a high powered blender.

Step 2: Blend for 60 seconds until very smooth.

Step 3: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Step 4: Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.

Tips & Tricks

A few things to keep in mind as you make the worlds most perfect basil vinaigrette recipe:

• Look for a small shallot. You don't want a HUGE shallot as that will affect how the end result tastes. If you can only find a large one, just use 1-2 tablespoons worth of chopped shallot.
• Use a decent quality olive oil. Something that you could use as a salad dressing. If you use something that's too flavored etc, that will affect the taste of the vinaigrette
• Season to taste!! Always! So important to try the sauce and then adjust salt as needed.
• Feel free to add other herbs as you please. Cilantro mixed with basil is excellent. Chives are amazing mixed in too!
• If you love this recipe as much as me - try making the cilantro vinaigrette version too!

Recipe FAQs

Favorite Recipes to use with Basil Vin

AND - you guys asked for it on Insta live recently. Here are a billion additional ideas on how to use this basil vinaigrette recipe:

• Cheesy Monkey Bread
• Basil Parmesan Grilled Corn
• Loaded Power Salad
• Chicken Shish Kebabs
• Melon Caprese Skewers
• Sweet Corn and Basil Pizza
• Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Salad
• Three Cheese Stromboli
• Burrata Tomato Salad
• Three Cheese Pizza
• Polenta Bar 
• Grilled Salmon Skewers
• Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• BLT Bar
• Green Monster Salad
• Charred Tomato Pesto Pizza
• Spring Pea Pizza
• Basil Vinaigrette Pasta
• Summer Turkey Meatballs - the recipe itself doesn't call for the basil vinaigrette recipe but I tried it on it over the week and OMG IT IS EVERYTHING

Simple Basil Vinaigrette

Author: Gaby Dalkin

5 from 80 votes

The most delicious basil vinaigrette recipe you'll ever encounter! Add it to veggies, chicken, fish, steak, pasta, salad dressings.... skies the limit! You'll want to slather it on everything all summer long.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean, American

Servings 10 servings

Equipment

• ▢
  Vitamix Blender

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 small shallot roughly chopped (about 2-3 tablespoons)
• ▢ 2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves stems removed (about 4 ounces)
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic
• ▢ ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
• ▢ ½ cup olive oil
• ▢ 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste

Instructions

 

• Combine all the ingredients for the basil vinaigrette in a high powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until very smooth.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately. Or you can refrigerate the vinaigrette for up to 3-5 days.

Notes

• Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Feel free to mix in some other herbs if you want! Basil combined with cilantro and chives are excellent. Parsley is another great addition if you want things a bit more earthy. 
• This freezes beautifully! Portion it out into a ice cube tray and freeze. Then when you are ready to use, pop out a cube and let come to room temperature and use as needed.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Photo by Matt Armendariz // Food Styling by Adam Pearson // Recipe by What's Gaby Cooking