An easy recipe for Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Dressing. This is delicious on salads or as a marinade. Perfect recipe for what to do with leftover basil.
Easy Recipe for Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Dressing
Here's my easy Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette recipe that is packed full of fresh flavors. It makes a delicious salad dressing that complements a variety of vegetables. Plus, it can be used as a marinade too.
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- Easy Recipe for Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Dressing
- Lots of Basil Flavor
- Do Balsamic and Basil Go Together?
- Ingredients for Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
- How to Make This Dressing
- Perfect Recipe For Leftover Basil
- What Does Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Taste Like?
- What To Do With Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette?
- Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Lots of Basil Flavor
Lately, I can't seem to get enough of basil. It's such a summer treat to have a basil plant growing on my sunny windowsill. Now that we are approaching fall, I'm feeling an urge eat as much fresh basil as I can before it gets cold.
This balsamic basil dressing is such an easy salad dressing to make and a great way to enjoy fresh basil. Of course, if you are looking for what to do with some leftover basil, this recipe is for you.
Don't miss it: It's particularly delicious on this Spinach and Arugula Salad.
Do Balsamic and Basil Go Together?
Absolutely! Balsamic and basil pair perfectly together.
Balsamic vinegar has a rich complex tangy flavor that really goes with fresh herby basil. It's a classic flavor pairing that you might have tasted in a Caprese salad before too.
Ingredients for Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
The full ingredients with quantities are in the recipe card below. Here are a few helpful tips about the ingredients to answer any questions you might have.
Do I Need to Use Olive Oil?
I highly recommend you use a good extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. Use an olive oil that is rich in flavor if you can. Since olive oil is a main ingredient in this dressing, use a good quality olive oil that isn't mixed with other oils.
That being said, it doesn't have to be the fanciest olive oil you have. I save my fancy olive oil for only dipping bread and drizzling over mozzarella.
The only time it would be okay not to use an extra virgin olive oil for this recipe is if you are planning to use this balsamic basil vinaigrette as a marinade. In that case, it would be totally fine to use a neutral cooking oil.
What Kind of Balsamic Vinegar to Use?
Likewise, use the best balsamic vinegar that you have. Balsamic vinegar is a dark rich vinegar that has a complex taste. It should be sweet and tart. Moreover, it shouldn't have a super strong acidic taste like some other types of vinegars.
Check the ingredients and try to use a balsamic vinegar that has grape must listed first, and before wine vinegar.
If you are looking to make this dressing even more special, I love it with a fig balsamic vinegar. Fig balsamic vinegar tends to be sweeter. In addition, the slight fruit taste goes incredibly well with salads.
How to Make This Dressing
It's really easy to make this recipe! Simply add everything into a food processor and pulse it all together until it's almost smooth.
You don't need a fancy food processor to make this dressing. This is my trusty 3.5 cup food chopper. It's the perfect size for dressings and pesto. It's also cordless and easy to wash and clean.
If you don't have a food processor, you can also make this dressing in blender or using an immersion stick blender.
Whether you use a food processor, blender or stick blender, just remember to stop and scrape down the sides of the container every so often. It's easy for large basil piece to get stuck against the container.
Perfect Recipe For Leftover Basil
This is a perfect recipe if you are wondering what to do with leftover basil. It's an easy way to use up any extra basil that you may have.
Sometimes if I'm making this family favorite pesto, I'll make sure to save some fresh basil leaves to use in this dressing.
Keep in mind that you do need fresh basil in this recipe. The dressing won't taste good with dried herbs. And as much as I love Thai basil, this basil dressing tastes best with sweet basil.
What Does Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Taste Like?
This balsamic basil vinaigrette has an aromatic, sweet and tangy flavor. The complex richness of the balsamic vinegar goes so well with the aromatic herby basil, and the sweetness from the honey.
If you use a fig balsamic (I love it), it has a very slight fruity taste too.
The dressing is delicious on a wide range of greens, including slightly bitter greens, such as arugula. It's also tasty on neutral flavors, such as drizzled on fresh mozzarella.
What To Do With Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette?
There are many ways to use this easy Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette. Here are a few of my favorite methods:
- Salad Dressing: I absolutely love to use this Balsamic Basil Dressing on this Spinach and Arugula Salad. It tastes like a restaurant quality salad, but comes together so quickly.
- Marinade: Use it as a marinade for meats. It's an especially tasty and easy way to flavor chicken breast before cooking.
- Simple: Toss it with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. It'll be like a Caprese salad.
- Pasta salad: This dressing would work so well with some pasta, potatoes, mozzarella cheese, and green beans.
Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Equipment
- food processor, blender, or immersion stick blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil lightly packed
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- fresh ground black pepper to taste, about 5 turns on the grinder
Instructions
- Combine everything in a food processor. Blitz until everything comes together, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary.
- Serve with a salad, drizzle over vegetables, or use as a marinade. Enjoy!
Notes
Katelyn says
This recipe helped me use up some leftover basil I had. So easy to make too.