If you're a fan of bright, citrus-y flavours, you'll love this Lemon Basil Dressing! It's made with fresh lemon juice and aromatic basil, making it superb on a variety of salads and also magnificent as a marinade.
A healthy salad dressing that is a perfect way to bring some brightness and freshness to your salads.
The lemon juice adds a hint of citrusy tang, while the basil provides an aromatic depth that's truly irresistible. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can also add some chilli flakes to give it a bit of heat.
This easy lemon basil dressing is also great as a marinade. Just pour it over some chicken or fish, let it sit overnight, and voilà - you've got yourself a flavorful and delicious marinade. A great way to add some oomph to your dishes and make them even more flavourful.
Dressing Ingredients and Substitutions
- Olive Oil - we have used extra virgin olive oil here, but avocado oil is a great alternative.
- Fresh Lemon Juice - the flavour from fresh lemons is just so much brighter and more flavourful, so it is important to use fresh rather than bottled, which may also contain additives.
- Fresh Basil Leaves - we've got fresh basil growing in the garden, but if you don't have that, any variety of basil will do. Check out our post on basil varieties for more info! Alternatively, you can substitute it for a soft herb like mint, coriander/cilantro or flat-leaf parsley. Choosing flat-leaf parsley gives you a more herbaceous flavour, and you won't get the same fragrant aroma that the others bring.
- Garlic - lemon and garlic partner beautifully together, so I couldn't help but add it here! If you are a garlic hater, then by all means, leave it out.
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper - are used to balance and enhance the flavour of the ingredients.
A Variation To Try: If you can't get enough of citrusy homemade salad dressings, then try swapping the basil leaves for fresh coriander/cilantro leaves and the lemon juice for lime juice instead; it is absolutely delicious! If you are looking for a more robust flavoured lime dressing, try our Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This salad dressing recipe comes together quickly using simple ingredients.
Wash the basil, shake and pat dry, then strip the basil leaves from the stems.
Add all the dressing ingredients to a small food processor or high-speed blender.
Season and blitz until well combined.
Store in a glass-sealed container in the fridge for no more than 3-4 days.
What Can I Use It On?
Lemon basil dressing is a great addition to salads, grain bowls, pasta dishes, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, fish and seafood dishes.
You can also use it as a dip for fresh vegetables or as a marinade or sauce for cooked dishes.
Here are some ideas to get you started -
- Leafy greens, such as lettuce, or mixed leaf or sturdy greens, such as silverbeet, kale or chard
- Sensational on tomato salads, why not try it with our Tomato Feta?
- Zoodles like we have in our Zucchini Tomato Salad.
- Avocado and Pasta salads.
- Grain salads such as quinoa, burghul wheat or couscous.
- Bean and pulse salads such as green beans or garbanzo/chickpeas, try it in our White Bean Salad.
- Drizzle it on fried eggs and greens for a flavourful breakfast.
- As a marinade for some chicken breasts, fish fillets or lamb chops.
- As a dipping sauce for salmon or steak kabobs.
People Also Ask
How Much Lemon Basil Salad Dressing Does It Make?
It makes just under half a cup which is good for one salad that serves four people. The nutritional information has also been calculated this way.
Can I make this Lemon Basil Vinaigrette Salad Dressing ahead of time?
We much prefer the taste of our dressings when they have been freshly made, especially with garlic and citrus. But to save time, you can make it up to a day in advance and store it well-covered in the fridge.
How Long Can I Store It For?
As this lemon basil vinaigrette recipe is made using fresh herbs and lemon juice, it won't keep for long. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, and it should keep for approximately 3-4 days to be safe.
Dietary Information
This delicious dressing is low in calories and fat. It is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help boost your immune system and improve your overall health. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce joint pain and swelling.
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is ideal for a variety of eating styles such as keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian and whole30 dieters.
Recipe Card
Equipment
- Bullet or High Speed Blender or Small Food Processor
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- ¼ cup Basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the basil, shake and pat dry, then strip the basil leaves from the stems.
- Add all the dressing ingredients to a small food processor or high-speed blender.
- Season and blitz until well combined.
- Store in a glass sealed container in the fridge for no more than 1-2 days.
Leave a Reply