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.
Table of Contents
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
What is basil vinaigrette made of?
This Basil Vinaigrette recipe is made of fresh basil, a small shallot, garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt! You can add a few cracks of black pepper too if you prefer!
What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing?
The basic formula is 2 parts oil to 1 part of vinegar plus all the add ins like shallot, garlic, salt and pepper. This recipe has just a touch less vinegar than normal but feel free to up it per your taste preference.
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
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Simple Basil Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 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
Photo by Matt Armendariz // Food Styling by Adam Pearson // Recipe by What's Gaby Cooking
YUM. Has anyone tried freezing this?
works like a charm
I was so excited to try this recipe but I ruined it by adding a whole teaspoon of red pepper flakes! What can I do to "re-mix" this so everyone can enjoy it on the chicken I'm making fro this weeks meal plan? It's just way to hot!
Thanks!
just double up on all the other ingredients
This. Is. EVERYTHING!!! Hope you're having a great day! Thanks for being YOU. I follow you on Insta and you always brighten up my day!
Can’t wait to make this! How much does this recipe yield?
1 cup!
Any suggestions if I added too much salt and am out of basil? Thanks!
ah!! that's tough! Can you add another kind of herb? parsley? chives? cilantro
I’m not sure how I managed to mess this up but mine tasted very bitter/peppery?! Could I be the basil was bad? I’m super confused since I didn’t deviate from the recipe at all.
hmmmmm it could be 2 things - 1 perhaps the basil wasn't that great. or 2 the olive oil wasn't that flavorful which can result in a bitter flavor! what kind of oil was it?
This happened to me too! I used basil I grew and Colavita extra virgin olive oil. Will try again with store bought basil womp womp. Do you recommend a different olive oil?
This is my favorite salad dressing! Trying to enter into My Fitness Pal and need number of servings - can you give me an estimate?
This is honestly the best thing ever! So versatile. We use it all the time.
I just accidentally made this with sherry instead of red wine vinegar. It probably goes without saying, but don't do that. It's not good that way. *face palm*
Basil vinaigrette is amazing! So fresh!
Its topping salmon steak tonite for dinner! Can't wait.
Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe!
Made this for the third time over tomatoes and mozzarella for an awesome caprese - this is a recipe I will use again and again! Also, I think it's Whole30 approved to those of you looking to spice up your meals. Would be great on any meat, potatoes, tomatoes... etc! Thank you for this great recipe!
Have a big basil plant and wasn't sure what to do with it all - this is a fabulous reason to grow more basil. Love the recipe on our turkey burgers we had for dinner last night. Addictive!
I made this last night and it was so incredibly delicious! Very simple to put together. I like garlic flavor and added an extra clove. Additionally, I didn't have any red wine vinegar on hand, but had white wine vinegar and substituted that. It still turned out wonderful! Will be making this again soon!
COuld I use apples cider vinegar instead?
totally!
I found this recipe from the Salmon Skewers and it is AMAZING! Also used it on tomatoes and mozzarella instead of basil leaves. This one is definitely staying in the summer rotation!