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    Home » Condiment Recipes

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette - The Perfect Summer Salad Dressing!

    LAST UPDATED: June 18, 2019 PUBLISHED: June 18, 2019 By Pam Greer 39 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette - this easy homemade salad dressing tastes just like summer!  Fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lime juice and salt and pepper are all you need to make this easy vinaigrette. 

    Once you taste this on some fresh sliced tomatoes, you will be in heaven.   

    Plate of tomatoes and cheese drizzled with sweet basil vinaigrette with jar of dressing behind it.

    Basil - My Favorite Herb of Summer

    Well, if your climate is anything like mine, you’ve already made your first basil harvest of the season.  I learned a couple of years ago that you are supposed to harvest your basil about once a month.  By harvest, I mean go out and cut it down until it’s only about 4 inches tall, leaving a few bottom leaves. 

    It feels cruel and heartless, but your basil will respond with love and glee and by the next month with be a foot tall again ready to harvest!  I usually get four good harvests from my basil:  June, July, August and the final one in September. 

    Also, don't forget how easy it is to Root Basil Cuttings.  So, you can start the year out with two basil plants and finish the year with twelve! 

    What to do with all that basil?  One of my favorite things is to make Homemade Basil Pesto.  I store it in the freezer in jars, just the right size to dress a pound of pasta.  Then in the middle of winter, I can have the fresh basil flavor of summer.  

    My other favorite thing is to use basil in salad dressings, like this Sweet Basil Vinaigrette! 

    Photo collage showing step by step how to make basil vinaigrette

    How to Make Homemade Basil Vinaigrette

    Let's talk about how easy it is to make this easy homemade salad dressing!

    First you want to gather your ingredients:  you need fresh basil (only 5-7 leaves,) a lime, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salat and pepper. 

    Note:  the recipe calls for balsamic vinegar, you can substitute a white balsamic, a red wine vinegar or even apple cider vinegar.  The balsamic really plays off the sweetness of the basil and creates an elegant dressing, but you can use any other vinegars mentioned above. 

    Prep your ingredients - super easy!  Stack your basil leaves and roll them up cigar style.  Using your knife, thinly slice them.  Juice the lime (I use an easy citrus press.)

    Some people like to whisk their vinaigrettes.  I prefer to shake mine in a jar.  Since I am going to be storing it in the fridge anyway, this dirties one less dish.  I am all about one less dirty dish!  Place all the ingredients in the jar.

    Put a tight lid on the jar and shake.  Give a quick taste and add salt and pepper to taste!

    That's it!  You've just made an easy homemade vinaigrette!

    Overhead shot of tomato salad with jar of basil vinaigrette beside it.

    Delicious Homemade Balsamic Basil Dressing

    My favorite way to use this delicious homemade salad dressing is to simply drizzle it over some summer tomatoes.   Sometimes I add a little feta or goat cheese and sometimes I don't.  This dressing has so much flavor, it's all you need to turn tomatoes into the perfect summer salad! 

    It is literally summer on a plate.  I found this recipe, many many years ago in an old Sarah Foster Cookbook. 

    More Salad Dressing Recipes

    Easy Homemade Greek Vinaigrette

    Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

    Lemon Vinaigrette

    Sweet and Tart Slaw Dressing

    If you want even more salad dressing recipes, be sure and follow my Salad Dressings Board on Pinterest.

    If you make this Sweet Basil Vinaigrette, I would love it if you would tag me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
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    5 from 34 votes

    Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

    This easy homemade salad dressing tastes like summer on a plate! You'll love it drizzled over a plate of summer tomatoes!
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 136kcal

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 5-7 basil leaves fresh
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Juice the lime and pour the juice into a lidded jar.
    • Stack the basil leaves on top of each other and roll together cigar style. Use your knife to cut them into thin strips. Add to jar.
    • Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to jar with a pinch of salt and pepper.
    • Close the lid tightly and shake to combine. Open and taste, adjusting salt and pepper.

    Notes

    The recipe calls for balsamic vinegar which creates a sweet dressing with the basil.  You can substitute a white balsamic or a red or white wine vinegar - or use your favorite vinegar

    Nutrition

    Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    This post was originally published in June 2010 and has been updated for June 2019!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. wilhelmina says

      June 18, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      This dressing is good on so many things! So delish!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        June 18, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        Thank you!! We think it's so good too!

        Reply
    2. Taylor says

      June 18, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best summer dressing! Love using fresh basil from my garden!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        June 18, 2019 at 2:47 pm

        Fresh basil is the best!

        Reply
    3. a good yarn says

      June 20, 2010 at 10:00 am

      Sublime...life does not need to be any more complicated.

      Reply
    4. Terri says

      June 18, 2010 at 6:21 pm

      Yummy. I need to go out and cut my basil! I have a ripe tomato on the vine, too, which just might get picked tonight!

      Reply
    5. Joanne says

      June 18, 2010 at 10:27 am

      Nothing tastes as good as fresh basil. I love this vinaigrette!

      Reply
    6. Kat says

      June 18, 2010 at 1:12 pm

      My first year growing basil, and I needed to know that little tip. Going to get my scissors right now! Thanks Pam. That is indeed "summer on a plate"; a pretty plate by the way!

      Reply
    7. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

      June 18, 2010 at 11:12 am

      I definitely have 5-7 basil leaves ready for harvest this weekend -- my very first basil harvest of the season, and I can't think of a better way to use it.

      Reply
    8. zurin says

      June 18, 2010 at 6:31 am

      The tomato salad sound delicious to me. I love basil. Maybe it can grow here. worth a try if I can have a vase of basil like yours:)

      Reply
    9. grace says

      June 18, 2010 at 9:10 am

      we have basil coming out of our ears (wouldn't that be a sight to behold...) and i'm already sick of pesto. this is a fabulous alternative use for it!

      Reply
    10. Anh says

      June 18, 2010 at 4:49 am

      Offcially *drooling* 🙂 I love basil!

      Reply
    11. Kim says

      June 18, 2010 at 2:48 am

      Your basil is doing really well! Mine is still on the small side, but I'm crossing my fingers.

      Reply
    12. 5 Star Foodie says

      June 18, 2010 at 2:33 am

      This basil vinaigrette looks terrific, I like the combo with balsamic vinegar!

      Reply
    13. Amy says

      June 17, 2010 at 9:26 pm

      I miss my garden so much. I would never trim my basil - I would let it grow like wildfire and make pesto (and freeze it in the winter months) as if it were going out of style. And I would take basil leaves and rosemary twigs...and rub them all over my dogs faces. They smelled wonderful the rest of the day 😉

      Reply
    14. theUngourmet says

      June 18, 2010 at 12:31 am

      I didn't know about the basil keeping in a vase. Awesome! Last year my basil grew like a weed but this year it's been so darn cold, it's pretty much dead. I will have to start over again. What a wonderful vinaigrette!

      Reply
    15. Tracy says

      June 17, 2010 at 7:56 pm

      My mouth is watering - mmmm mmmmm that looks delicious! This is what I want for dinner. Thanks for the info on chopping down the basil - I had no idea. I've been doing it SSOOO wrong ever since I've been planting it in my garden!

      Reply
    16. Jhonny walker says

      June 17, 2010 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks for all the great info. I usually manage to kill the basil but mostly I finish it

      What a great herb! Thanks for the post Its bookmarked 🙂 🙂

      Reply
    17. Rachel says

      June 17, 2010 at 6:52 pm

      Thanks for all the great information about growing basil. I never knew that you had to prune the basil plants so radically. I usually try to keep up with picking off the flowering tops, but now I know.

      And thanks for sending this over to Weekend Herb Blogging. Look for the roundup on Monday!

      Reply
    18. SDK says

      June 17, 2010 at 6:23 pm

      Oh, Pam, basil vinaigrette is all that is feeding my fetus these days. I use apple cider vinegar, a splash of orange juice, lots of basil and a clove of garlic. With goat cheese and sliced fruit and toasted pecans it is some good stuff.

      Reply
    19. Lea Ann says

      June 17, 2010 at 9:51 pm

      Beautiful photos and great sounding recipe. I love basil! Another bookmarked.

      Reply
    20. mamakrystal says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks for the basil tip...I never knew that and I've been staring it down trying to figure out what to do with my gigantic basil tree!! Beautiful vinaigrette!

      Reply
    21. sherry says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:53 pm

      Heavenly, Pam.

      Reply
    22. Barbara says

      June 17, 2010 at 5:52 pm

      I have the first Foster's Market cookbook and LOVE it!
      I have to grow my basil in the kitchen, but love having fresh nearby for cooking.
      Don't you adore the heirloom tomatoes? So much flavor. I love salads like this, with your basil vinaigrette. Also, a tomato sandwich on country bread with mayo and basil pesto is divine!

      Reply
    23. buffalodick says

      June 17, 2010 at 5:52 pm

      When we get enough basil, I like to make pesto!

      Reply
    24. Marjie says

      June 17, 2010 at 5:00 pm

      Great idea! Maybe I should plant some herbs other than chives? Of course, it's only 58 degrees here today, so nothing is growing outside. I am not amused.

      Reply
    25. Ty'sMommy says

      June 17, 2010 at 12:57 pm

      That looks fantastic. Basil is, by far, my favorite herb. I haven't been as lucky as you have so far this year, but its finally starting to kick in and I am looking forward to some nice basil very soon!

      Reply
    26. Kalyn says

      June 17, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      Drooling over this!

      Reply
    27. teresa-bug says

      June 17, 2010 at 4:44 pm

      I need to harvest my basil...but it makes me so anxious. But that is why I don't ever good crops the entire summer.....

      Reply
    28. Cathy says

      June 17, 2010 at 12:12 pm

      This is my idea of the perfect summer salad. I'm looking forward to picking my own basil but the rain washed the first planting away so it will be awhile.

      Reply
    29. June says

      June 17, 2010 at 4:01 pm

      Honestly, what could be better than that! Basil's amazing...I have two plants at different stages of their lives and they grow like stink after they're cut back.

      Reply
    30. Cinnamon-Girl says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      I am loving having fresh herbs right in my backyard...thanks for the tip on basil...mine needs to be cut right now...something I've never done. The vinaigrette is a lovely celebration of basil!

      Reply
    31. Mrs. Early says

      June 17, 2010 at 11:39 am

      Well, that explains it. I've been mistreating my Basil all along! That recipe looks delicious. I must try it!!

      Reply
    32. shabby girl says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:18 pm

      I love learning about harvesting basil! I had no idea. I just picked as needed.
      Summer on a plate; you nailed it!

      Reply
    33. Pam says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:01 pm

      Perfect. I was just noticing my basil plant is going crazy! This vinaigrette looks delicious.

      Reply
    34. Mary says

      June 17, 2010 at 3:01 pm

      I loved your tips on harvesting basil, Pam. Your salad sounds wonderful and your vinaigrette will definitely be tried here. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

      Reply
    35. once in a blue moon... says

      June 17, 2010 at 1:07 pm

      ahh, the essence of summer...

      Reply
    36. Joy says

      June 17, 2010 at 12:03 pm

      Thank you! So THAT'S how you're supposed to harvest basil! My first ever basil has been doing beautifully in a pot on my back deck. At lunch time, I will go home and cut it all back. Then I have to find some more recipes to use it with. I will be searching your blog later on basil.

      Reply
    37. Chanel11 says

      June 17, 2010 at 11:58 am

      This post has me missing my basil! Tomatoes and basil really are made for each other.

      Reply

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