Carrots & Cookies

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home Recipes Side Dishes

    Basil Balsamic Dressing

    Published: Jan 23, 2025 by Kristi Ruth RD · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Level up your salad game with this Basil Balsamic Dressing made with a few simple ingredients in 5 minutes!

    A small bowl of Basil Balsamic Dressing with a simple lettuce salad on a white plate.

    Believe me when I say that making your own salad dressings is so EASY! And when you add fresh herbs to an otherwise basic homemade vinaigrette, it takes it to a whole new level!

    In my opinion fresh basil has the best flavor! Just think of recipes like caprese bruschetta, margherita flatbread, or pesto - fresh basil is what really takes the flavor from ordinary to extraordinary!

    This basil balsamic dressing recipe is no exception. In fact, this is my 'go-to' recipe when I'm trying to use up leftover basil. 🙌

    You can add as little or as much basil as you want - it just depends on how much you have and how much you want the flavor of fresh basil to stand out.

    Once you see how easy this is, it might just become your new favorite salad dressing!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Dietitian Tip
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make This Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • What to Make with Basil Balsamic Dressing
    • Helpful Tips
    • Questions You May Have
    • Related Recipes
    • Easy Salad Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy Recipe Add all ingredients to a blender or immersion blender container and blend. So easy!
    • Fresh Flavor The incredible flavors of fresh herbs, like basil, are something you can't get from store-bought dressings.
    • Simple Ingredients Balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper are pantry staples. Fresh basil can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores.

    Dietitian Tip

    Try giving your kids options of salad dressings when you serve a simple salad as a side dish with dinner. Not only will this help them to feel like they have a say in what's for dinner, but it can also increase exposure to new foods without pressure.

    Ingredient Notes

    Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette ingredients, labeled.
    • Fresh Basil Leaves Adds fresh flavor. Use as much or as little as you want, depending on how strong of a basil flavor you want.
    • White Balsamic Vinegar Also known as white Moderna vinegar. I've also made this dressing using regular balsamic vinegar; it tasted different and just as good.
    • Dijon Mustard A little goes a long way. I think a small amount of Dijon mustard helps to give balsamic vinaigrettes the perfect balance of flavors (even if you're like me and don't like mustard).
    • Olive Oil Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. Avocado oil can be used instead.
    • Garlic Use one small fresh garlic clove or garlic powder.

    How to Make This Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Two numbered images showing how to make basil balsamic dressing with an immersion blender.

    Here's a summary of how to make this Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.

    1. Place all ingredients in a blender, food processor, or blender cup that an immersion blender will fit in.
    2. Blend for about one minute, until your desired consistency is reached.

    What to Make with Basil Balsamic Dressing

    • Lettuce Salad In my opinion, the option of serving a simple salad as a side dish with family meals is underrated. All you need to do is serve a small bowl of salad greens with dressing on the side. Top it with a few cherry tomatoes or sliced cucumbers to add more variety.
    • Chicken Marinade Just like Italian dressing, basil balsamic vinaigrette makes a great marinade. In fact, I have chicken breast tenderloins marinating in this dressing as I'm typing. Yum!
    • Pasta Salad This basil balsamic vinaigrette makes a delicious pasta salad. Toss this dressing in with cooked pasta, feta cheese or small chunks of mozzarella, sliced cucumber and sliced cherry tomatoes for even more Mediterranean flavor.

    Helpful Tips

    • Optional: add a little bit of honey or maple syrup to help balance out the tangy balsamic vinegar. You shouldn't need to add more than one teaspoon of honey.
    • Store leftovers refrigerated in a glass jar or airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. A mason jar works well for salad dressings.
    • While most homemade balsamic vinaigrettes can be stored at room temperature, I recommend storing this dressing in the refrigerator because of the fresh basil.
    • Give this salad dressing a good shake before drizzling it onto your favorite salad greens.

    Questions You May Have

    What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette?

    I've learned from experience that estimating the amount of oil and vinegar when making a vinaigrette is the biggest mistake. Estimating the amount of salt and pepper is fine but be sure to measure out the amount of oil and vinegar when making salad dressings.

    Another mistake is leaving out the mustard. I used to leave out mustard when making dressings, but I've learned to keep some in because it helps to keep the oil and vinegar from separating (mustard is considered an emulsifier).

    How long does fresh basil last?

    Fresh basil can last 1-3 days in the fridge. When basil is in season, I buy one bunch and put it the stems in water (sort of like a small flower bouquet) so it lasts longer.

    When basil is not in season, I like to buy hydroponic basil plants from the grocery store. As long as I keep it watered and place it where it gets sunlight, the basil plant lasts several days.

    Do you need to wash fresh basil first?

    Yes, fresh herbs, including basil, should be rinsed under cold water before you plan to use it.

    Related Recipes

    • Homemade Caesar Dressing
    • Strawberry Salad Dressing
    • Easy Mango Dressing
    • Apple Cider Vinaigrette

    Easy Salad Recipes

    • Kale salad in a yellow bowl with a set of tongs in the salad as to serve.
      Easy Kale (Tuscan) Salad
    • One chicken Caesar salad in a white bowl with croutons to the right of the bowl.
      Best Chicken Caesar Salad (Homemade!)
    • Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad in a large white serving bowl with tongs.
      Easy Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
    • Cold Asparagus Salad with strawberries in a white serving bowl with white and gold tongs next to the bowl.
      Easy Cold Asparagus Salad

    📖 Recipe

    A lettuce salad on a round white plate with a small white bowl of basil balsamic dressing.

    Basil Balsamic Dressing

    Kristi
    Up your salad game with this absolutely delicious Basil Balsamic Dressing made with a few simple ingredients in 5 minutes!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 4 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Blending time 1 minute min
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 5 2-tablespoono servings
    Calories 88 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 immersion blender or small blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
    • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar can use balsamic vinegar instead. see notes.
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 clove garlic 1 small garlic clove. Or you can use up to one-quarter of garlic powder instead.

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients to a small blender or container fit to use an emersion blender.
      1 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon water, ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 clove garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Blend until your desired consistency is reached.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts are estimated using a database that this owner is not responsible for maintaining. Exact nutrient information will depend on the exact ingredients and amounts used when making this recipe.
    • 1 cup of loosely packed fresh basil equals about 21-28 basil leaves, depending on the size of the leaves. Yes, I count them;)
    • I made this basil balsamic dressing with different amounts of fresh basil. The basil flavor really started to stand out when three-quarters of a cup was added and really stood out when I used one cup of fresh basil leaves.
    • This is a thin salad dressing. If you prefer salad dressings to have more substance, replace the water with more olive oil.
    • If you add this to a salad that also has a salty cheese (like feta), you may not need to add much salt at all.
    • If you use this for a chicken marinade, you'll definitely want to add a pinch of salt and black pepper before you bake the chicken in it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 123mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 253IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Side Dishes

    • Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing in a small glass bowl with a white serving spoon.
      Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
    • Nine deviled eggs on a white plate with a sprig of fresh parsley for garnish.
      Easy Deviled Eggs Without Mustard
    • A Christmas holiday salad in a large white serving bowl with a small white bowl with the salad dressing in the center of the salad greens.
      Quick and Easy Christmas Salad
    • A holiday salad in a white serving bowl with a gold serving spoon.
      Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Kristi Ruth RD wearing a green top with jeans and holding a white platter with tri-colored carrots.

    Welcome to Carrots & Cookies! I'm a busy working mom of three and can now say that I've been a dietitian for 20 years!! I'm on a mission to show you that eating well doesn't have to be complicated by providing you with easy recipes and practical nutrition tips! More about me...

    Popular Recipes

    • Cherry tomato sauce topped with two small basil leaves and a sprig of fresh oregano served in a white bowl with a white spoon.
      Easy Cherry Tomato Sauce for Pasta
    • Five cooked jerk lime boneless pork chops overlapping each other one a white plate with broccoli to the right.
      Best Oven Baked Boneless Pork Chops
    • Top view of a bowl of fresh fruit salad.
      15-Minute Fresh Fruit Salad
    • Three pieces of barbecue chicken with two ears of corn topped with pieces of cilantro and served on a white plate.
      15-Minute Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
    • One ripe pineapple with a still on held up over a pile of pineapples.
      How to Pick a Good Pineapple
    • Granola in a white ramekin with pieces of granola scattered around the base of the ramekin.
      Easy Granola Recipe (Low Sugar)

    Easy Recipes for Summer

    • A pile of cooked marinated lemon pepper chicken on a white plate.
      Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade
    • Chunks of fresh watermelon topped with Tajin and cinnamon.
      5-Minute Tajin and Watermelon
    • Kale salad in a yellow bowl with a set of tongs in the salad as to serve.
      Easy Kale (Tuscan) Salad
    • A chip being dipped into guacamole served in a white ramekin.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Pieces of fresh fruit on toothpicks and bamboo skewers on a white plate with yogurt and granola in separate ramekins.
      Favorite Fruit on a Stick
    • One Pitaya Bowl with toppings.
      Easy Pitaya Bowl

    Footer

    Featured In

    Southern Living logo.
    Yahoo logo.
    Well + Good logo.
    Eat This logo.
    Eating Well logo.
    Womans World logo.
    LiveStrong logo.
    Fod news logo.
    Real simple logo.
    Parade logo.
    Parents logo.
    The Beet logo.
    Clean Plate logo.

    ↑ back to top

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2024 Carrots & Cookies

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required