This Basil Balsamic Dressing is an easy, flavor-packed vinaigrette that needs five ingredients and a couple minutes for a fresh, tangy, sweet vinaigrette you’ll love!

_{^{This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support!}}

basil balsamic dressing in a glass jar on a linen napkin

Recipe Highlights:

All you need is five ingredients (plus a pinch of salt and pepper).
Everything is blended to make this basil balsamic vinaigrette in less than five minutes.
It’s lightly sweet from the honey, which pairs beautifully with the tangy balsamic.
Fresh basil adds loads of fresh flavor, along with a little flavor burst from a clove of garlic.
It’s multi-functional, serving as a salad dressing (like on my balsamic pasta salad) or as a marinade for proteins and vegetables, too.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

ingredients to make basil balsamic vinaigrette

Basil: Fresh basil add the best flavor, but if you’re not growing or can’t find fresh basil, using 2 teaspoons of dried basil will also work (although the flavor will be a little different and it loses some of the fresh vibrancy).
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy acidity that’s perfect for salad dressings!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil, especially when kept in its raw state, like in this salad dressing, is full of health benefits. It’s full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, may decrease blood pressure, and may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment.
Honey: The sweetness of honey adds a wonderful balance to the tangy acidity of the balsamic vinegar. You can substitute agave, maple syrup, or your favorite non-nutritive sweetener, if you prefer (I’m personally a fan of allulose!)
Garlic: A clove of fresh garlic adds another bit of flavor. You can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of granulated garlic or use a garlic-infused olive oil; if that’s what you have.

How to Make Balsamic Basil Dressing:

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients in a blender to make basil balsamic vinaigrette

Simply add all of your ingredients to a blender (or a small blender cup – I love mine with my Ninja blender). Blend for a minute, or until dressing is smooth and totally emulsified.

Seasoning Variations

Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.
Dried Basil: Add 2 teaspoons of crushed dried basil instead of fresh basil, if that’s what you have. But note that you’ll some freshness and vibrancy in the flavor without fresh basil.
Other Oils: You can substitute other neutral, heart healthy oils, like avocado oil.
Lemon: Add the juice and zest of half a lemon for a fresh lemony flavor boost.

Salad Dressing Storage

Homemade salad dressings are delicious and easy to make, but due to their fresh ingredients, they need to be kept refrigerated and they have a shorter shelf life.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Note that as there are no added gums or other ingredients here, you’ll see a slight bit of separation of the salad dressing as it sits. Simply shake your container before serving and you’re good to go!

Shop This Recipe

As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying affiliate purchases at no cost to you.

More Salad Dressing Recipes to Love

Did you make this recipe? Please give a rating and review below! For more balanced nutrition and no fuss, balanced recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!