Healthy 5 Minute Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
Tired of boring salads? Let’s upgrade your salad game with a homemade vinaigrette that’s way better than any store-bought dressing!
Salads are a great way to load up on veggies, but the right dressing can take them from basic to bold. This tangy balsamic vinaigrette is packed with flavor, bringing just the right balance of sweet, savory, and herby goodness.
I promise, salads don’t have to be boring! With this easy dressing, a handful of leafy greens, a bit of crunch, and some protein, you’ll have a salad worth making again and again.
Why Is Salad Dressing So Important?
Salad dressings bring variety, bold flavors, and excitement to every bite. Whether it’s a simple vinaigrette shaken in a jar (like this Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette) or a blended dressing like my Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing, I’m always whipping up something fresh.
Salad dressing plays a key role in healthy eating by adding flavor and healthy fats, making it easier and more enjoyable to eat nutrient-rich vegetables, whole grains, and proteins regularly.
No More Expired Dressings: Why I Always Make My Own
If you open my fridge, you won’t find ten half-used, expired bottles of salad dressing tucked in the door. Why? Because, homemade dressings are so much better, take only a few minutes to make, and don’t clutter up my fridge with bottles I’ll never finish.
I always keep a few simple ingredients on hand, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, and herbs and spices, so I can whip up a homemade vinaigrette anytime. This tangy balsamic vinaigrette is one of my go-tos. It’s quick, easy, and way better than anything from a store.
Making your own dressing is as simple as shaking everything up in a jar. Less than five minutes, no weird preservatives, and total control over the flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought!
Why I Love This Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Versatile: This great marinade isn’t just for salads, it’s perfect for roasted veggies, grain bowls, or grilled proteins.
- Customizable: Use simple ingredients like olive oil and Dijon mustard, or switch it up! You can even add mayo for a creamier dressing.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is ready in minutes just add everything to a mason jar and shake!
- Better Than Store-Bought Dressings: No preservatives, just fresh, bold flavors.
The Ingredients in Balsamic Basil Dressing
- Balsamic Vinegar: Feel free to use your favorite brand . You can use a flavored or sweet balsamic vinegar like Fig or Cherry! You can even use a white balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: dried basil works too, it’s just not as good as fresh
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – or other super flavorful olive oil or avocado oil
- Dijon Mustard
- Maple Syrup or a little bit of honey
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Yup, this dressing is 100% plant-based.
Make It A Creamy Dressing
Want a creamy balsamic dressing with a thicker consistency? Try these simple swaps:
- Add a spoonful of mayo or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Blend in a ripe avocado for a dairy-free creamy twist.
- Whisk in tahini for a nutty, velvety texture.
No matter how you make it, this easy dressing is better than anything store-bought!
Growing Basil Plants for Fresh Flavor
Fresh basil leaves makes all the difference in this dressing! I love growing my own basil to have a steady supply of vibrant, fragrant leaves all year long.
- Late Spring, Summer & Fall: I grow basil in my garden, where it thrives in warm weather with plenty of sunlight. A few plants can produce an abundance of fresh leaves, perfect for dressings, pesto, and more.
- Cooler Months: When the temperatures drop, I switch to my AeroGarden, which lets me grow fresh basil indoors, no matter the season. It’s an easy way to keep fresh herbs on hand without worrying about the weather!
Whether from the garden or an indoor setup, homegrown basil always brings the best flavor to this dressing!
How to Make This Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Dressing: The Jar Method
My favorite way to make my own salad dressings, grain bowl sauces, and vinaigrettes is the jar method, it’s quick, mess-free, and perfect for storage!
- Grab a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Add all the ingredients, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously until everything is well combined.
- Pour directly from the jar onto your salad, grain bowl, or roasted veggies.
- Store leftovers right in the jar for later. Just give it another shake before using! All you need to store your salad dressing to use later in the week is an airtight container.
This method creates the perfect balance of flavors while making cleanup a breeze.
Other Methods
- Immersion blender: Want a smoother texture? Blend everything directly in the jar for a silky, emulsified vinaigrette.
- Whisk & Bowl: Prefer a classic approach? Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, slowly adding the oil for the best emulsion.
Whichever method you choose, this easy homemade vinaigrette beats any store-bought dressing!
How to Pair This Dressing
Since this vinaigrette contains fresh basil leaves, I recommend using it within 2-3 days for the best flavor. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it before then!
- A Dressing for Salads: Toss it with your favorite salads, from a classic arugula salad to a fresh Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes and sweet basil.
- A Sauce for Grain Bowls: Drizzle it over quinoa, farro, or brown rice bowls for extra flavor.
- Spooned Over Protein: Try it on grilled chicken breast, fish, or tofu for a bright, herby finish.
- Drizzled Over Cottage Cheese: A surprising but delicious combo, just a light drizzle brings out the creaminess.
- As a Veggie Dip: Serve it alongside roasted or raw veggies for an easy, flavor-packed dip.
This versatile, easy dressing is perfect for adding a fresh, tangy kick to so many dishes!
Want to take your salad game even further? If you’re ready to ditch bland store-bought dressings for good, check out my [Ultimate Guide to Homemade Salad Dressings]. I’ll walk you through the best ingredients, flavor pairings, and easy recipes so you can whip up fresh, delicious dressings anytime.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
I love salad dressings so much that I keep adding more and more recipes to The Addy Bean. They are an easy way to make a salad exciting! Below are some other excellent salad dressing recipes.
Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Cashew Caesar Dressing (No Mayo!)
Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
Equipment
- 1 Jar with Lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 8 basil leaves, julienned or 1 tsp dried
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Grab a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
- Add all the ingredients, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously until everything is well combined.
- Taste and adjust the flavors as needed. I.e. add more salt, pepper, honey etc.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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