🍳DailyRecipes
Salad

Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

This bright and herbaceous dressing brings a fresh pop of flavor to any salad or grilled dish.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Western· August 19, 2026
Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
5 minutes
Serves
4

If you love the taste of pesto but want something lighter, this basil vinaigrette is going to be your new favorite. It skips the heavy cheese and nuts to highlight the pure, vibrant flavor of fresh basil, making it perfect for dressing salads or drizzling over cooked vegetables.

My favorite secret ingredient here is a single ice cube. Blending it in keeps the dressing bright green and prevents the heat from the blender blades from turning your basil brown. It is a simple trick that keeps your dressing looking beautiful in the fridge for a couple of days.

Ingredients

  • 1 tightly packed cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely grated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ice cube (or 1 tablespoon ice cold water)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place the basil leaves, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, vinegar, olive oil, and the ice cube into a blender or small food processor.

  2. 2

    Blend the ingredients together on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant green.

  3. 3

    Taste the dressing and add an extra pinch of salt if needed.

  4. 4

    Serve immediately or store in a jar until you are ready to use it.

💡 Tips

This vinaigrette stays bright green for up to two days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It is wonderful drizzled over grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables, but just be sure your roasted vegetables are cooled to room temperature first so the dressing stays fresh and green.

#vegetarian#gluten free#healthy#salad dressing

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