Basil Vinaigrette Recipe

Fresh basil, shallots, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar come together in this vibrant Basil Vinaigrette Recipe inspired by a classic French-style herb oil. This light, flavorful homemade basil vinaigrette is just as delicious drizzled over ripe tomatoes, fresh cheeses, grilled vegetables, and crusty bread as it is tossed with crisp greens.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS BASIL VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

This fresh basil vinaigrette celebrates peak basil season with bright, clean flavor that lets exceptional ingredients shine instead of covering them up. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's an easy homemade basil vinaigrette you'll reach for all summer to elevate everything from garden tomatoes to pasta salads and roasted vegetables. There’s nothing like fresh to brighten your day!

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS HOMEMADE BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Sometimes the simplest recipes become the ones you make for years. With just a handful of fresh ingredients, this homemade basil vinaigrette lets each flavor shine while reminding us that great cooking often begins with great produce.

• Fresh basil: The heart of this recipe, basil delivers its unmistakable sweet, peppery aroma and vibrant green color. It's naturally rich in vitamin K and antioxidants, making every spoonful as fresh as it is flavorful. Equal to approximately one store bought plant. 
• Shallot: Shallots add gentle sweetness with a delicate onion flavor that complements the basil without overpowering it. Their mild bite creates balance and depth throughout the vinaigrette. 
• Garlic: Fresh garlic brings savory warmth and a subtle kick that rounds out the bright herbs. As it blends, it infuses the oil with rich flavor while supporting the overall complexity of the dressing. 
• Red pepper flakes (optional): A small pinch adds gentle warmth without making the vinaigrette spicy. Leave them out for a milder herb oil or include them when serving grilled vegetables or hearty salads. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil forms the silky base of this French-style herb oil, carrying the basil's flavor throughout every bite. Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a smooth, fruity flavor for the best results. 
• Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar provides bright acidity that lifts the richness of the olive oil while preserving the fresh flavor of the basil. Its tangy finish keeps the vinaigrette balanced and refreshing. 
• Kosher salt: Salt enhances every ingredient while bringing the basil's natural sweetness into focus. Start with the recommended amount, then adjust to taste after blending.

HOW TO MAKE THIS BASIL VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how quickly it comes together without sacrificing flavor. A minute in the blender transforms a handful of fresh ingredients into a vibrant herb oil that's ready to drizzle over almost anything.

1. Prepare the ingredients. Roughly chop the shallot, remove the basil leaves from the stems, and peel the garlic cloves.
2. Blend until smooth. Add the shallot, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and kosher salt to a high-powered blender. Blend for about 60 seconds, or until the vinaigrette is completely smooth and bright green.
3. Taste and adjust. Taste the vinaigrette and add additional salt if needed. If you enjoy a little more acidity, add a splash of red wine vinegar and blend briefly.
4. Serve or store. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Shake or stir well before serving, as the dressing will naturally separate during storage.

EXPERTISE FROM MY KITCHEN – WHY THIS BASIL VINAIGRETTE RECIPE WORKS

As a professional recipe developer, bakery owner, and someone who has spent years studying ingredient functionality, I've learned that exceptional recipes don't need dozens of ingredients. They need ingredients that work together with purpose. This Basil Vinaigrette Recipe relies on a few simple techniques that preserve basil's vibrant color, balance rich olive oil with bright acidity, and allow every ingredient to contribute without overpowering the others. Understanding why these techniques matter helps you make a more flavorful homemade basil vinaigrette every time, while giving you the confidence to apply the same principles to other herb-based dressings and sauces.

Technique Explanations

Preserving Fresh Basil Flavor and Color

Fresh basil bruises and oxidizes quickly once it's cut or blended. Blending it just until smooth minimizes heat and helps preserve its bright green color and delicate herbal aroma. For the freshest flavor, make the vinaigrette shortly before serving or refrigerate it promptly after blending.

Balancing Oil and Acid

Olive oil carries flavor, while red wine vinegar provides brightness and contrast. Neither should dominate the other. When the fat and acidity are balanced, the basil becomes the star of the recipe instead of getting lost behind an overly sharp or heavy dressing.

Why This Recipe Doesn't Need Dijon Mustard

Many vinaigrettes include Dijon mustard because it naturally emulsifies oil and vinegar, creating a thicker dressing that stays blended longer. This recipe intentionally leaves it out to create a lighter, French-inspired herb oil where the fresh basil takes center stage. If you're tossing leafy greens and prefer a longer-lasting emulsion, blending in 1 teaspoon of Dijon is an easy adaptation. For ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, homemade ricotta, grilled vegetables, or warm crusty bread, I prefer the cleaner, lighter, brighter character of the original recipe.

WHEN THIS BASIL VINAIGRETTE RECIPE SHINES

One of my favorite things about seasonal cooking is that a simple recipe can capture an entire season. Fresh basil has a way of making everyday meals taste like summer, whether it's spooned over ripe tomatoes, grilled vegetables, or a platter of fresh mozzarella shared around the table.

Season: Summer, Late Spring, Early Fall

Months: May, June, July, August, September, October (depending on local growing conditions and first frost)

(H2) HARVETS FACTS

Basil is one of summer's signature herbs, thriving in warm sunshine and producing its sweetest, most fragrant leaves before the plant begins to flower. Regular harvesting encourages new growth, which means the more you pick, the more basil the plant often produces.

Unlike many fresh herbs, basil dislikes cold temperatures. Refrigeration can darken the leaves and dull their flavor, so it's happiest stored at room temperature in a glass of water like a bouquet of fresh flowers.

It's no coincidence that basil reaches its peak alongside tomatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, peppers, and peaches. Nature has a wonderful way of pairing the season's best ingredients together, making summer one of the most rewarding times to cook.

KEEP YOUR SUMMER KITCHEN COOKING WITH ME

Summer always reminds me that one good recipe has a way of leading to another. If you're filling your table with the season's best ingredients, I hope you'll spend a little more time cooking with me.

If you've never tried making Homemade Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, this basil vinaigrette is one of my favorite ways to finish it. The fresh herbs and olive oil are a beautiful match for warm, creamy ricotta, especially with a handful of tri-color grape tomatoes scattered over the top. It's one of those simple summer combinations that lets beautiful ingredients do what they do best.

From there, keep the harvest going with fresh favorites like BLT Corn Salad, Israeli Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, Shaved Carrot Salad, Ribboned Carrot Salad, and my Dodo Dinner Salad. If you're looking for another easy meal, my Spring Pea & Herbed Goat Cheese Toast with a generous layer of Herbed Goat Cheese Spread is always welcome in my kitchen this time of year.

FEATURED FARMER: Rocket Farms

Fresh basil has a remarkable way of making an ordinary meal feel special, and that's exactly what the growers at Rocket Farms have been helping home cooks do for generations. For more than 70 years, their team in Northern California has carefully grown herbs and plants with a commitment to quality, innovation, and responsible stewardship of the land. Their greenhouses recycle much of the water they use and are designed to conserve energy, proving that growing exceptional food and caring for the environment can go hand in hand. 

The next time you tuck fresh basil into your shopping cart, take a moment to think about the many hands that nurtured those fragrant leaves from tiny seedlings to your kitchen. Every handful of basil carries a story of patience, care, and the simple joy of helping families gather around good food.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Blender or Food Processor: Creates a smooth, creamy basil vinaigrette by fully emulsifying the herbs, olive oil, and vinegar. 
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures balanced proportions for a consistently flavorful dressing. 
• Herb Snips: Makes quick work of trimming basil leaves.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean, stable surface for prepping fresh herbs and aromatics. 
• Rubber Spatula: Helps scrape every bit of the vibrant vinaigrette from the blender or food processor so nothing goes to waste. 
• Small Bowl or Liquid Measuring Cup: Useful for measuring and combining ingredients before blending. 
• Glass Jar or Airtight Container: Perfect for storing leftover vinaigrette in the refrigerator and giving it a quick shake before serving.

Print Pin

Basil Vinaigrette Recipe

Fresh basil, shallots, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar come together in this vibrant French-style herb oil. Light and full of fresh basil flavor, it's perfect for drizzling over ripe tomatoes, fresh cheeses, grilled vegetables, salads, and crusty bread.

Course Condiment, Salad, Sauces, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mediterranean-Inspired

Keyword Basil Vinaigrette Recipe, Homemade basil vinaigrette

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 125kcal

Ingredients

• 1 small shallot (45 g) roughly chopped
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves (56 g) stems removed, tightly packed
• 2 cloves garlic 10 g
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (1 g) optional
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil (120 ml)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (30 ml)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (5 g), plus more to taste

Instructions

• Prepare the ingredients. Roughly chop the shallot, remove the basil leaves from the stems, and peel the garlic cloves.
  1 small shallot, 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic
• Blend until smooth. Add the shallot, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and kosher salt to a high-powered blender. Blend for about 60 seconds, or until the vinaigrette is completely smooth and bright green.
  ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Taste and adjust. Taste the vinaigrette and add additional salt if needed. If you enjoy a little more acidity, add a splash of red wine vinegar and blend briefly.
• Serve or store. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Shake or stir well before serving, as the dressing will naturally separate during storage.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.4mg

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The dietary categories below are provided as a quick reference to help you determine whether this recipe may fit your dietary preferences. They are intended as a helpful guide, not as medical or nutritional advice. Individual ingredients and brands can vary, so always check product labels if you have food allergies, sensitivities, or specific dietary needs.

• DF (Dairy Free): YES. Made without dairy ingredients.
• EF (Egg Free): YES. Contains no eggs or egg products.
• GF (Gluten-free): YES. Naturally gluten-free when prepared with gluten-free ingredients.
• NF (Nut Free): YES. Contains no tree nuts or peanuts.
• PB (Plant Based): YES. Made entirely from plant-based ingredients.
• SF (Sugar Free): No. Honey adds natural sugar to the vinaigrette.
• VE (Vegetarian): YES. Contains no meat, poultry, or seafood.
• VG (Vegan): No. Honey is not considered vegan.
• Paleo: YES. Made with whole-food ingredients that fit a Paleo lifestyle.
• Keto: No. The honey contributes enough carbohydrates that it is generally not considered keto-friendly.
• Whole30: No. Honey is not Whole30 compliant.