Honey Basil Vinaigrette
This Honey Basil Vinaigrette is fresh, flavorful, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients. Featuring fresh basil leaves, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, and tangy vinegar, this honey basil vinaigrette recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Whether you’re looking for the best honey basil vinaigrette to drizzle over summer salads or a simple homemade dressing to elevate your favorite meals, this recipe delivers vibrant flavor in every bite.
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If you’re searching for a sweet basil vinaigrette recipe that tastes fresher and more flavorful than store-bought dressings, you’ve come to the right place. This honey basil salad dressing comes together in minutes using an immersion blender, mini food processor, or blender and is a delicious way to use fresh basil from your herb garden.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Basil Vinaigrette
- Made with simple ingredients
- Ready in less than 5 minutes
- Packed with fresh basil flavor
- Naturally sweetened with honey
- Perfect for summer salads
- Better than store-bought dressings
- Easy to customize with different vinegars and oils
- One of the most flavorful homemade salad dressings you’ll make
Honey Basil Vinaigrette Recipe Ingredients
This easy honey basil vinaigrette recipe comes together with just a few pantry staples and fresh herbs.
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient Notes
Fresh Basil Leaves
Fresh basil is the star of this honey basil vinaigrette. Sweet basil adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that makes this sweet basil vinaigrette recipe perfect for warm-weather meals. If you grow basil in your herb garden, this dressing is a great way to use an abundance of fresh herbs.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
A good quality extra-virgin olive oil creates a rich, smooth dressing. The best oil will always produce the best flavor. If preferred, avocado oil can be substituted for a milder taste.
White Wine Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
Both white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar work beautifully in this recipe. White wine vinegar creates a lighter flavor, while apple cider vinegar adds a slightly fruity tang.
Honey
The sweetness of the honey balances the acidity of the vinegar and complements the fresh basil. This honey basil dressing has just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the herbs.
Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard helps emulsify the dressing and adds a subtle savory flavor.
Salt and Pepper
Kosher salt and black pepper enhance all of the flavors and bring the dressing together.
Variations for This Honey Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
One of the best things about making your own vinaigrette is how easy it is to customize.
Try replacing the vinegar with:
- Red wine vinegar
- Champagne vinegar
- Fresh lemon juice
- Balsamic vinegar
Each option creates a little different flavor profile. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, while balsamic vinegar creates a richer flavor similar to a balsamic vinaigrette.
How to Make Honey Basil Vinaigrette
Step 1: Add Ingredients to a Blender
Add the fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, honey, kosher salt, dijon mustard, and black pepper to a blender, mini food processor, or immersion blender cup.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Blend for 20-30 seconds, or until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified. The basil should be finely incorporated throughout the dressing, creating a beautiful green color and vibrant flavor.
Taste the dressing and adjust if needed.
Step 3: Serve
Drizzle over a simple salad, grain bowl, roasted vegetables, or your favorite summer salads. I love to serve this vinaigrette over my Peach and Basil salad. You can find that here!
Step 5: Store
Transfer the dressing to a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
What to Serve with Honey Basil Vinaigrette
This homemade honey basil vinaigrette pairs wonderfully with:
- A Summer Grilled Peach Salad
- Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes
- Summer salads featuring fresh corn
- Pasta salads
- Grain bowls
- Roasted vegetables
The bright basil flavor makes this one of my favorite dressings during the summer months when fresh produce is at its peak.
Storage Tips
Store your honey basil vinaigrette in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Because homemade salad dressings don’t contain preservatives like store-bought dressings, they are best enjoyed fresh. If the olive oil solidifies in the refrigerator, allow the dressing to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving and shake well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Basil Vinaigrette
What makes this the best honey basil vinaigrette?
Fresh basil leaves, good quality extra-virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, and the perfect balance of vinegar and honey create a dressing that is bright, fresh, and packed with flavor. Unlike many store-bought dressings, this homemade version lets the basil truly shine.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar?
Absolutely. Apple cider vinegar adds a slightly fruity flavor, while white wine vinegar creates a lighter, more delicate dressing.
Can I substitute avocado oil?
Yes! Avocado oil works beautifully and provides a milder flavor while still creating a smooth, creamy vinaigrette.
Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar?
Yes. Fresh lemon juice creates a bright and citrusy variation that pairs beautifully with summer salads and fresh vegetables.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor.
- Start with a good quality olive oil.
- Make a double batch for meal prep.
- Store in a mason jar for easy shaking and serving.
- This honey basil salad dressing is delicious on everything from a simple salad to a caprese salad.
- Save this recipe card so you can make this sweet basil vinaigrette recipe again next time.
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Honey Basil Vinaigrette
Equipment
- 1 vitamix
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves packed
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp raw honey
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender or mini food processor. Blend for 20-30 seconds, or until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified. The basil should be finely incorporated throughout the dressing, creating a beautiful green color and vibrant flavor. Taste and make any adjustments needed.1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 2 tbsp raw honey, 3/4 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Enjoy over your favorite salad. I love to use this vinaigrette on my summer grilled peach salad which is linked in the notes.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor. Fresh basil leaves provide the bright, herbaceous taste that makes this honey basil vinaigrette so refreshing.
- Choose a good quality olive oil. Since olive oil is one of the main ingredients, using a good quality extra-virgin olive oil will give the dressing the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness to taste. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add an extra teaspoon of honey. For a tangier vinaigrette, add a splash more vinegar.
- White wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar both work well. White wine vinegar creates a lighter, more delicate flavor, while apple cider vinegar adds a slightly fruity tang.
- Shake before serving. The dressing may separate as it sits in the refrigerator. Simply shake or stir well before serving.
- Store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated in a mason jar or airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Try it on more than just salads. This honey basil vinaigrette is delicious drizzled over grain bowls, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, and fresh summer vegetables.
- My favorite way to enjoy this dressing is on my Grilled Peach Salad. The combination of sweet peaches, fresh greens, and this honey basil vinaigrette creates a delicious summer salad that’s perfect for lunches, potlucks, and backyard barbecues.
