Basil vinaigrette ups the flavor ante in a big way — think of it as pesto’s bolder, zestier vegan cousin! My cookbook is filled with quick and easy recipes, and this one is no exception! I pair sweet basil and a peppery extra virgin olive oil with shallots, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a pesto-inspired vinaigrette that adds a little something extra to any dish it touches! Fresh limes and white wine vinegar give it just the right amount of acidity to balance out the fresh-from-the-garden herbal notes. Like our balsamic vinaigrette and apple cider vinaigrette, you can think of this pesto vinaigrette recipe as your flavor-boosting secret weapon. Plus, it comes together in minutes and keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Ingredients for basil vinaigrette
A few pantry staples and some fresh herbs from the garden is all it takes to whip up basil vinaigrette. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Fresh basil leaves – You’ll need 2 cups packed sweet basil leaves (about about 1 1/8 ounces) Shallot – Shallot adds a hint of sweetness and a delicate sharpness. Garlic – One clove provides just enough of a spicy kick. Fresh lime juice and white wine vinegar – They add acidity to this basil vinaigrette, which brightens the flavors and makes each ingredient shine. Lime juice also helps keep the basil bright green instead of army green (more on this below). Extra virgin olive oil – A robust EVOO like our Early Harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil is a good option here, with its pungent, peppery notes. Red pepper flakes – If you want a milder option, use Aleppo pepper flakes instead.
How to keep pesto vinaigrette bright green!
Pro tip: Blanch the basil. One of the main complaints I hear about basil, whether in homemade pesto or other sauces, is that it quickly turns from bright green to a dingy, army green color when it is blended. This happens because of oxidation, and an easy workaround will give you vibrant green basil salad dressing every time: Blanch the basil first. Blanching kills off the decomposing enzymes that turn basil that green-brown color. And it takes mere seconds to do! Here’s how to blanch basil:
Prepare a pot of boiling water and a bowl filled with ice and water. Place the basil leaves into the boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds, then quickly transfer it to the ice bath with a slotted spoon or a pair of tongs. Before you use the blanched basil, wring it out thoroughly in some paper towels so the leaves aren’t soggy.
Another quick tip to stop basil leaves turning brown is to add citrus. Lemons, limes, etc., contain citric acid and ascorbic acid, both of which help to prevent oxidation. In this basil vinaigrette recipe, I use lime juice as my citrus element, but you could also use lemon if that’s what you have on hand.
How to make basil vinaigrette
Once you blanch the basil, this salad dressing comes together in a matter of seconds in a food processor or blender!
Start by fitting a small food processor with the multipurpose blade. To the bowl, add the blanched basil, a roughly chopped medium shallot, 1 large peeled clove of garlic, about 2 tablespoons lime juice (the juice of 1 lime), 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, ½ cup EVOO, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and well combined. Season with kosher salt to taste and store in a tightly closed Mason jar in the refrigerator.
How to use pesto vinaigrette
The great thing about basil salad dressing is that it is wonderfully versatile. It is an easy way to elevate salads, from Summer Pasta Salad to more American-style lettuce salads to even watermelon salad for a savory kick. This basil and white wine vinaigrette can also be used as a zippy sauce, perfect to dress up some flaky grilled salmon, a whole baked fish, and lemon garlic drumsticks. I even sometimes pour a little over warm roasted vegetables and boiled potatoes. Use it to dress up your favorite snack or appetizer and try it on bruschetta, fried tomatoes to immediately add color and complexity.For another easy-to-make vinaigrette you will love, be sure to check out my apple cider vinaigrette recipe.
Storage tips
Store this sweet basil vinaigrette in a tightly closed Mason jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days. Give it a good shake before you use it again. To save this vinaigrette for a burst of sunshine in the winter, you could also freeze it in ice cube trays. To thaw, simply pop a few cubes into a Mason jar and place it in the refrigerator. It will separate once thawed, but shake it up and it will be good to go!
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