Easy Homemade Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

This lemony fresh homemade basil vinaigrette is so easy to make. Blend it up in under 5 minutes and drizzle it on everything from salad to grilled or roasted vegetables and eggs. It’s the best way to use up your garden fresh basil!

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This fresh basil vinaigrette is good on everything. I’m not exaggerating when I say that. I’ve been making it since last summer and it’s my favorite way to use up garden fresh basil. I drizzle it onto raw and cooked vegetables – either from the grill or roasted – and I’ve also added it to scrambled eggs to jazz them up. You can use it as a basic salad dressing too.

To make this dressing, you only need a few fresh ingredients and a good blender. If you’re growing summer basil and wondering how to use up a bunch of it in a hurry, this is your answer. Each batch includes a cup of fragrant fresh basil leaves. And you can even toss in a few of the stems – exact measures are not required here.

Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, citrus flavor that goes well with the basil. Skip the stuff in the bottle – the vinaigrette will not be the same. Trust me. And while we are talking about fresh, toss in a couple cloves of fresh garlic. I used two rather large cloves because I like the extra bite. And you don’t have to mince it – just peel the garlic cloves and smash them a bit before adding to the blender. The extra virgin olive oil brings it all together. It emulsifies the dressing and adds incredible flavor. I usually use a California olive oil with a nice fruity essence.

I used my NutriBullet to blend the vinaigrette. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to double the recipe to make it go.  This is a good “problem” to have because it will double your yield – which once you taste it, you’ll know that’s a really good thing! I don’t recommend adding water but I guess it could work in a pinch.

Be sure to tag me on Instagram when you make this recipe and show me how you use it! And course PIN it for safekeeping!

5 from 5 votes

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Easy Homemade Basil Vinaigrette

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

This lemony fresh homemade basil vinaigrette is so easy to make. Blend it up in under 5 minutes and drizzle it on everything from salad to grilled or roasted vegetables and eggs. It’s the best way to use up your garden fresh basil!

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy basil vinaigrette, homemade vinaigrette

Servings: 6 (2 Tablespoons)

Calories: 80 kcal

Author: Marisa Moore Nutrition

Ingredients

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
• 2 cloves fresh garlic
• pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• coarse salt to taste

Instructions

1. Add vinaigrette ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth.

2. Toss your vegetables with a little of the vinaigrette or drizzle it on as a topping. 

Nutrition Facts

Easy Homemade Basil Vinaigrette

Amount Per Serving

Calories 80

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.