Basil Vinaigrette

If basil is abundant in your garden or at the farmer’s market this year, you’re in luck! With its sweet, peppery flavor, this herb is so versatile and perfect for adding a burst of freshness to recipes like Pesto-Topped Soft Scrambled Eggs and Bacon or Tallarines Verde, and it’s the star ingredient in our Basil Vinaigrette.

This vibrant dressing can be drizzled on any leafy green salad or pasta salad or used to marinate chicken, beef, or shrimp, adding a burst of fresh flavor to anything you add it to. With blended basil, shallots, garlic, quality olive oil, and a light and tangy champagne vinaigrette, you’ll want to keep a batch of this ready to go all season long.

Why We Love This Basil Vinaigrette

Besides the fresh basil flavor that this dressing infuses into everything it touches (as if that weren’t enough), here are a few reasons we think this really is the best basil vinaigrette recipe!

• Its bright and fresh color adds the most beautiful touch to any salad or meat.

• Using champagne vinegar adds the perfect amount of tang and brightness to help balance out the richness of the olive oil and basil

• It keeps well for up to three days in the refrigerator so you can use it for salads and to marinate meat, tofu, or drizzle over bread.

How to Make the BEST Basil Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Process

1. Place all vinaigrette ingredients into the well of a blender. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
2. Blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper as needed and stir. Serve immediately or store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Blanch the Basil: Quickly blanching the basil leaves in boiling water for 10-15 seconds, then plunging them into ice water will help the leaves stay bright green in color, even after blending and storing.

• Use the freshest ingredients: Because this recipe only uses a handful of ingredients, the quality and freshness really do matter. Start with fresh, bright basil, and garlic and shallots that are fresh and pungent.

• Use a high-quality oil: Extra virgin olive oil has more flavor than light olive oil and works best for this recipe. Use an oil that’s been stored properly and has a good, strong flavor for the best basil vinaigrette.

• Adjust as needed: If the vinaigrette seems too rich, add more vinegar. If it seems too tangy, add a little extra honey. Season well with salt and pepper as well to balance the flavors.

• Store correctly: Add the finished dressing to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Keeping as much air away from the dressing will help the flavors and colors stay fresh and bright.

Storing Instructions

Once you’ve made your vinaigrette, either use immediately or store extras in the refrigerator. Keep them in a glass bottle or container with an airtight cover or lid.

How to Use Our Basil Vinaigrette

• Salad Dressing: Drizzle over your favorite mixed greens, like a simple side salad or wedge salad for a burst of fresh, herby flavor.
• Marinade: Use it as a marinade for chicken, fish, shrimp, or tofu to infuse them with a vibrant, basil-infused twist.
• Dip for Bread: Serve as a dipping sauce for crusty bread or veggies for a unique summer appetizer.
• Sauce for Grains: Toss quinoa, rice, or farro with the vinaigrette to add fresh flavor to a grain bowl or pasta salad.
• Pasta Sauce: Mix it with warm pasta, vegetables, and grilled chicken or steak for a quick and flavorful meal.

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