Our Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette delivers bold, tangy-sweet flavor with fresh basil in a creamy, dairy-free dressing that’s ready in just 5 minutes.
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✋🏼E aí, pessoal! Hey there, friends!
Today, I’m sharing our new favorite salad dressing! Our balsamic basil vinaigrette is all about big flavor, easy prep, and a creamy texture without the dairy. Our dressing comes together in just five minutes, giving you a tangy, herb-forward addition to any dish without the fuss. The fresh basil blends perfectly with balsamic vinegar for a bold, vibrant taste that instantly elevates salads, grain bowls, and even roasted veggies.
I started making this easy salad dressing a few months ago after a huge basil harvest from my small garden! While I am not a pro gardener by any means, every summer, I plant every inch of free space in my backyard with veggies and herbs. Herbs are a great beginner plant to grow because they are so foolproof and always give a great harvest! Unlike my rival, the cucumbers, which I cannot seem to grow no matter what I try! But basil? I get loads of it, which means I’m constantly looking for ways to use it up.
And this balsamic and basil vinaigrette has quickly become our new favorite ways to use up fresh basil. It’s quick, fresh, and pairs well with just about everything! And if you need more ways to use up basil, check out our nut-free pesto sauce, or our creamy pesto-ricotta pasta (not dairy-free)!
😏Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 Minutes: Our balsamic basil vinaigrette is ready in just 5 minutes, perfect for busy days when you want something homemade but don’t have the time.
- Healthy Dressing: With simple, wholesome ingredients, this dressing is a nutritious choice you can feel good about. Use it on salads, veggies, or chicken, it makes a great marinade!
- Bold, Creamy Flavor Without Dairy: The combination of dijon and olive oil creates a creamy, vibrant balsamic and basil vinaigrette without a drop of dairy, so it’s allergy-friendly and full of flavor.
More Healthy Salads & Homemade Dressings
🧠Why Eat This? Nutrient Highlight
Our basil balsamic vinaigrette isn’t just tasty—it’s good for you! Olive oil provides healthy fats (1,2) that contribute to a balanced diet, while balsamic vinegar and fresh basil offer antioxidants known to help protect cells from stress (3,4,5). Plus, it’s free from added sugars and preservatives, making it a cleaner, natural option compared to many store-bought dressings. This vinaigrette doesn’t just taste good—it’s an easy way to add a little extra nourishment to your meals.
🌿Main Ingredients & Flavor Notes
Our balsamic basil vinaigrette is a quick and easy dressing that brings a big flavor with minimal simple ingredients you likely already have at home. Let’s break down each ingredient and how it adds to the perfect balance to our vinaigrette:
- Balsamic Vinegar: Our main ingredient for this flavorful homemade vinaigrette. I highly recommend selecting a good quality balsamic vinegar. Balsamic brings a deep, tangy sweetness that’s hard to beat.
- Olive Oil (Extra Virgin Preferred): Extra virgin olive oil gives a smooth, robust base. Its healthy fats also help the dressing coat your favorite salad greens.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: I always add fresh basil when possible. Fresh basil has a vibrant, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with the balsamic.
- Garlic (Minced): Garlic adds a subtle bite that balances the sweetness of balsamic and honey. Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor, but powder works in a pinch.
- Dijon Mustard: This is the “creamy” element to our salad dressing, adding a tang and a slight thickness to the vinaigrette’s texture.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: A touch of honey or maple syrup rounds out balsamic acidity. Use maple syrup if you need a vegan-friendly option.
- Salt: Simple but necessary, salt helps to enhance the other flavors and bring out the balance in this balsamic and basil vinaigrette.
Full quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
⚠️ Gluten-Containing Ingredients: Be sure to check the labels of the balsamic vinegar to ensure it is celiac-safe (there is a small risk that the casks are sealed with a wheat paste (source)). If you use dried basil, be sure to check for gluten-containing ingredients.
🔁Ingredient Substitutions
If you’re missing an ingredient, here are a few ways to make this balsamic basil dressing work with what you have on hand:
- Balsamic Vinegar Alternative: For a lighter twist, use white balsamic or even lemon juice for a lemon basil vinaigrette.
- Fresh Basil Alternative: Dried basil works if fresh isn’t available—just be sure it’s gluten-free if that’s a concern. Use about a tablespoon.
- Dijon Mustard Alternative: If you’re out, try a bit of mayo to keep that creamy element, or skip it for a tangier flavor.
- Honey or Maple Syrup Alternative: Agave syrup or a pinch of sugar also adds a touch of sweetness or leaves it out for a pure tang.
👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Blender
Place all the ingredients—balsamic vinegar, olive oil, fresh basil, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper—into a small blender.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Blend the ingredients on high until the vinaigrette looks smooth and fully combined. This should take about 20-30 seconds.
Tip: An immersion blender works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
🤔No Blender? No Problem!
If you don’t have a blender, chop your basil and mince your garlic. Then add the ingredients to a mason jar with a tight lid. Shake vigorously for about a minute until everything is well combined and slightly thickened.
Step 3: Store or Serve
Pour the vinaigrette into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week, or serve it right away over your favorite salad.
Tip: Give it a quick shake or stir before each use, as the oil may separate.
💡Recipe Tips
- Choose a Good Balsamic: The quality of your balsamic vinegar will make all the difference in this dressing. Look for a rich and slightly sweet regular balsamic vinegar.
- Balance the Sweetness and Tang: To accommodate your preference for sweet or tangy, be sure to adjust the amount of honey you add, tasting as you go.
- Get a Creamy Vinaigrette: The Dijon mustard adds a creamy touch without needing dairy. Using a blender will whip both the olive oil and dijon into a rich thick texture.
- Adjust Consistency to Your Liking: If you find the dressing too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until you reach your ideal texture. This keeps the flavors concentrated while making it easy to pour.
🍊Recipe Variations
Here are a few ways to adapt this creamy balsamic dressing for different tastes:
- Creamy Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette: Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or mayo (or dairy-free alternatives) to give it a richer texture. It’s great if you’re going for a thicker, clingy dressing.
- Citrus Twist: Squeeze in some lemon or orange juice along with the balsamic for a refreshing citrus kick—perfect for summer salads.
- Garlic Lovers: Double the garlic or add roasted garlic for extra depth. It turns this balsamic and basil vinaigrette into a bold dressing for hearty salads or roasted veggies.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Our balsamic basil dressing is versatile and pairs wonderfully with simple salad greens, grain bowls, and even roasted vegetables. Here are a few ideas and ways we like to enjoy our easy balsamic basil vinaigrette recipe:
- Arugula Spinach Salad: I am a sucker for a good arugula salad! I love to enjoy this recipe over our spinach arugula salad with roasted white bean croutons. It pairs so well that you can pour over mixed greens, spinach, or arugula. The tangy, herbaceous flavors complement leafy greens beautifully.
- Grain Bowls: Drizzle over a bowl of quinoa, farro, or brown rice with roasted veggies for a balanced, flavorful meal. I often use this recipe for our quinoa chickpea salad bowls or red rice veggie bowls!
- Tomato and Mozzarella: For a twist, drizzle our creamy basil balsamic vinaigrette over a caprese-inspired salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss this dressing with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a warm, flavorful side. I love it with our roasted carrots and asparagus!
🥡How To Store This Recipe
To keep your basil vinaigrette dressing fresh, store leftovers it in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge. The dressing will stay fresh for up to a week. Just give it a good shake before each use, as the oil may separate over time.
❔Recipe FAQ
It’s normal for oil and vinegar to separate over time. Using a bit of Dijon mustard in the mix can help keep it emulsified longer, but even with that, you’ll still need to shake or stir the dressing before each use.
Yes! If you don’t have a blender, just add the ingredients for our balsamic and basil vinaigrette to a mason jar and shake until combined. Just be sure to mince the garlic and basil finely before mixing.
This salad dressing goes great with any salad but our favorite is a spinach arugula salad. Its also delicious drizzled over roasted vegetables, as a marinade for chicken, or even as a dip for crusty bread.
🌟 Loved our easy dressing recipe? Let us know! I’d be thrilled if you could leave a comment, star rating, or share this recipe. Your feedback helps support and improve AtMyTable and helps others discover new favorites. Or come chat with me on Facebook or Instagram!
🥣More Fresh Salads
👋🏼Até logo, amigos! Keep savoring every bite and don’t forget—life’s better with a little flavor and fun. Até a próxima!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil extra virgin
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Blender: Place all ingredients into a small blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend on high for 20-30 seconds until the vinaigrette is smooth.
- Store or Serve: Pour the vinaigrette into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week, or serve right away over your favorite salad.
Notes
Nutrition
📝Information Source
- Yubero-Serrano, E. M., Lopez-Moreno, J., Gomez-Delgado, F., & Lopez-Miranda, J. (2019). Extra virgin olive oil: More than a healthy fat. European journal of clinical nutrition, 72(Suppl 1), 8-17.
- Pérez‐Jiménez, F., Ruano, J., Perez‐Martinez, P., Lopez‐Segura, F., & Lopez‐Miranda, J. (2007). The influence of olive oil on human health: not a question of fat alone. Molecular nutrition & food research, 51(10), 1199-1208.
- Verzelloni, E., Tagliazucchi, D., & Conte, A. (2007). Relationship between the antioxidant properties and the phenolic and flavonoid content in traditional balsamic vinegar. Food chemistry, 105(2), 564-571.
- Juliani, H. R., & Simon, J. E. (2002). Antioxidant activity of basil. Trends in new crops and new uses, 575(9).
- Yoshihara, D., Fujiwara, N., & Suzuki, K. (2010). Antioxidants: benefits and risks for long-term health. Maturitas, 67(2), 103-107.
Valerie Ensor says
I am thrilled to finally find a restaurant style quality balsamic dressing recipe that’s easy and quick to make and tastes so good!! Thank you!
Patricia Granek says
Hey Valerie, I am so thrilled that you loved this recipe. It's one of our favourites too!