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
- 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.Â
- 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
Made this dressing tonight to go along with your power salad. How has this not been in my life ?!?! 10/10 You are the BEST Gabby!!!
I freeze the vinaigrette in candy molds and have on hand at all times
Right now! Put this on everything. Killer!
Anytime I see a recipe for some number of shallots I am stymied by how much that means. I know what a single shallot is, of course, but the ones available here in Southern California can vary in size to the point that some are easily twice as big as others. So, could you recommend an amount by weight or volume to help me out?
Thanks!
2 TABLESPOONS, CHOPPED!
Could you sub lemon for vinegar??
yes!
This is the secret to life, key to success, so good!!! Would put this on just about anything and it makes me feel fancy. Looking for hot tips on how to get the last drops out of my vitamix.
This dressing was amazing! I could put this on cardboard and eat the cardboard!! I added walnuts, lemon juice, and some zested lemon peel. I used this on spinach and cucumbers. I topped the salad with pine nuts and black pepper
Could you substitute avacado oil for olive oil? If so do you think it would change the flavor in a bad way?
absolutely would work!
I’m obsessed!!!!! So good. Thank you!!
This was very fresh and super delicious. I had a batch of basil from my garden and gave this a try. I thought it would be too much salt, but it was perfect! I liked the heat from the red pepper flakes too. Love your recipes!
Can I replace shallots with yellow onion or will the taste just be too different??
used 2 tablespoons of chopped yellow onion
I just made this delicious recipe and it's a KEEPER!
So delicious! I have put it on chicken breasts both before we put them on the grill and then after. I have also used this on salads. What a fun way (besides pesto) to use my basil!
I had a lot of basil to use up from my CSA box this week which was perfect because I have been wanting to try this recipe ! So good! I used my immersion blender and added a little extra vinegar and it was perfect.
Can I use Apple cider vinegar or balsamic!?
apple cider would be my preference!