Homemade Balsamic and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
This homemade balsamic basil vinaigrette has a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and herby notes, elevating your salads, veggies, and more with a touch of freshness and simple sophistication.
Homemade Dressing Goodness
Get ready to jazz up your salads with this easy Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette recipe. Bursting with vibrant freshness, this homemade dressing combines the lively essence of fresh basil with the perfect balance of tanginess from balsamic vinegar.
Quick and versatile, it’s not just a dressing; it’s a flavor enhancer for salads, grilled veggies, and more. Elevate your meals with this homemade dressing goodness that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Why you’ll love this Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette:
If you love fresh and flavorful homemade sauces and dressings, be sure to check out our easy balsamic citrus vinaigrette and our two-ingredient cranberry honey mustard sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Balsamic Vinegar: Go for the good stuff – a quality balsamic vinegar brings a rich, tangy flavor.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Fresh basil brings a fragrant and herbaceous note to this vinaigrette. It adds a burst of freshness that complements the other flavors.
- Shallot and Garlic: Finely minced shallot and garlic infuse the vinaigrette with savory depth. They provide a subtle, aromatic complexity to the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: Consider Dijon mustard as the smooth operator, seamlessly binding the components and introducing a subtle zing to the blend.
- Honey: A little bit of honey is the sweet sidekick here, balancing out the tanginess with a touch of warmth.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce brings a savory umami quality to the vinaigrette. It enhances the overall depth of flavor and adds a subtle richness. It also pairs particularly well with blue cheeses like Gorgonzola.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Choose a nice extra-virgin olive oil – it’s the canvas for all these flavors, adding a touch of richness that’ll make your vinaigrette irresistible.
Be sure to scroll down to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
Instructions
- Whisk Together: In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar until blended. Or, place ingredients in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well to combine.
- Add Flavors: Stir in basil, shallot, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Season: Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Whisk Well: Vigorously whisk (or shake) until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Drizzle over salads or veggies and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Quality Ingredients: Choose good quality extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
- Adjust Consistency: Tailor the oil-to-vinegar ratio to your liking for a more tangy or mellow vinaigrette.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust the sweetness, acidity, and saltiness gradually, tasting as you mix.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover homemade basil balsamic vinaigrette in a sealed container. Shake well before using again.
Variations & Substitutions
- Herb Infusion: Experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or mint for a different herbal twist.
- Citrus Zing: Add a burst of citrus by incorporating a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice.
- Maple Sweetness: Substitute honey with maple syrup for a distinct sweet flavor.
- Bolder Mustard: Opt for a grainy or spicy mustard if you prefer a more robust kick.
- Red Onion Twist: Replace shallot with finely minced red onion for a slightly sharper flavor.
- Garlic Lover’s Delight: If you love garlic, add an extra clove for an intensified garlicky note in your basil balsamic vinaigrette.
- Spice it Up: Include a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
Serving Suggestions
The versatile and flavorful combination of fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes. Here are some of our favorites:
- Salad: Use it to dress green salads like our festive Spinach Gorgonzola Salad with Pear, Pine Nuts, and Pomegranate, or a steak and blue cheese salad, a simple Strawberry Spring Mix Salad, or a classic Caprese salad.
- Roasted Veggies: Drizzle it over roasted veggies to enhance their natural flavors.
- Chicken: Marinate chicken breasts with the basil balsamic vinaigrette before grilling or baking.
- Shrimp: Use as a flavorful marinade for grilled shrimp skewers.
- Bruschetta: Top toasted baguette slices with diced tomatoes that have been combined with the vinaigrette for a quick and flavorful bruschetta appetizer.
- Bruschetta Chicken: Grill or bake chicken breasts, top with a tomato and basil bruschetta mix, and finish with a drizzle of the vinaigrette.
- Pasta Salad: Toss cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, olives, salami, and mozzarella. Coat everything in the vinaigrette for a refreshing pasta salad.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback is important to us. Thank you for visiting Maplevine Kitchen!
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Homemade Balsamic and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
Equipment
- mason jar optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon shallot minced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk or Shake Together: In a bowl, whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar until blended. Or, place in jar with a tight lid and shake to combine.
- Add Flavors: Stir in basil, shallot, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Season: Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Whisk Well: Vigorously whisk (or shake) until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Drizzle the basil balsamic vinaigrette over salads or veggies and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
-
- Quality Ingredients: Choose high-quality extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
-
- Adjust Consistency: Tailor the oil-to-vinegar ratio to your liking for a more tangy or mellow vinaigrette.
-
- Taste as You Go: Adjust the sweetness, acidity, and saltiness gradually, tasting as you mix.
-
- Storage: Keep leftover vinaigrette refrigerated in an airtight container. Shake well before using again. It should last in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Maplevine Kitchen makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
