One recipe, many uses. This basil balsamic dressing is super versatile, easy to make, and delicious. Mix it with a salad, veggies, or drizzle over grilled meat. Add big flavor with minimum effort.

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Scooping basil balsamic dressing from a jar.

Why you’ll love this recipe?

Who doesn’t like a recipe that can be used in many dishes? I know, I do. This basil balsamic dressing will elevate any dish. The fresh basil adds freshness, while the balsamic, in combination with the olive oil, adds creaminess and acidity. The garlic complements the subtle sweetness of the honey.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this dressing can be used to flavor salads, grilled veggies, or meat. You can even use it as a dipping sauce. I don’t recommend heating the basil balsamic dressing. The delicate texture and flavor of basil make it sensitive to heat, and it is best eaten fresh or added at the end of cooking. So, definitely use this dressing as a finishing touch.

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Ingredients notes

Ingredients for basil balsamic dressing.

Fresh basil. Adds freshness and brightness to the dressing.

Balsamic. Adds acidity.

Olive oil. It adds richness and creaminess once combined with the rest of the ingredients.

Honey. Adds light sweetness and balances out the acidity from the balsamic and the garlic flavor.

Garlic. A touch of pungent, spicy-like flavor.

How to make basil balsamic dressing?

Note! For exact measurements and detailed directions, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Chop the basil. Whisk the other ingredients.

  • Chopping basil.
  • Bowl with balsamic, olive oil, and seasonings.
  • Whisking dressing.

Step 2: Add the chopped basil to the dressing.

  • Adding chopped basil to a dressing.
  • Bowl with basil balsamic dressing.
  • Jar with basil balsamic dressing.

Basil balsamic dressing in a jar with fresh basil and garlic on the side.

Recipe Tips

Chop the basil. I prefer to chop the basil by hand. You can also use a food processor or mini blender to make it smoother.

Shake. Shake. Shake. It’s normal for the dressing to separate as it sits. The easiest way to mix all the ingredients is to place the dressing in a jar and vigorously shake it for a few seconds.

Good-quality ingredients. Make sure the olive oil and balsamic taste good. The basil is fresh, and the honey is real.

Additions and substitutions

This basil garlic dressing can be easily adjusted to your liking. Instead of the basil, you can use fresh parsley, mint, or chives. You can skip the garlic if you don’t like it. The honey can also be left out, but the dressing will have a more acidic flavor. If you don’t like olive oil, you can use grapeseed oil instead. Instead of honey, use maple syrup.

If you like spicy food, add some chili flakes for extra heat. Adding sesame seeds or chopped nuts will add an extra crunch, texture, and visual appeal. Changing too many of the ingredients will result in a different type of dressing and flavor.

Storage

Store the dressing in a jar or well-sealed glass container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. If you want to make larger quantities and have it ready when needed, skip the basil and add it right before using the dressing. The dressing without the basil can be kept in the fridge for up to a month. Shake well before each use.

Scooping basil balsamic dressing from a jar.

Recipe FAQ

Salad dressing separates because simply oil and water don’t mix naturally due to their different molecular properties. Most salad dressings contain both oil (like olive oil or vegetable oil) and water-based ingredients (like vinegar, lemon juice, or water itself). Oil molecules are hydrophobic (water-repelling), while water molecules are hydrophilic (water-loving). When you combine them, the oil molecules cluster together and the water molecules do the same, causing the mixture to separate into distinct layers.

That’s why many dressings require shaking or whisking before use. This temporarily forces the oil and water to form tiny droplets mixed throughout each other, creating what’s called an emulsion. Some dressings contain emulsifiers like egg yolk (in mayonnaise-based dressings), mustard, or honey, which help keep oil and water mixed together for longer periods by acting as a bridge between the two types of molecules.

Yes. You can freeze this basil balsamic dressing for longer storage, up to 3 months. But I recommend making it fresh, it takes no more than 5 minutes to make.

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Scooping basil balsamic dressing from a jar.

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Scooping basil balsamic dressing from a jar.

Basil balsamic dressing

No ratings yet
AuthorMilena M
One recipe, many uses. This basil balsamic dressing is super versatile, easy to make, and delicious. Mix it with a salad, veggies, or drizzle over grilled meat. Add big flavor with minimum effort.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Servings100 grams, 1/2 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 8 grams fresh basil
  • 42 grams olive oil, 3 tablespoons
  • 48 grams balsamic, 3 tablespoons
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more or less to taste
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 21 grams honey, 1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Chop the basil.
    8 grams fresh basil
  2. In a bowl, whisk the other ingredients.
    42 grams olive oil, 48 grams balsamic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 3 garlic cloves, 21 grams honey
  3. Add the chopped basil to the dressing and whisk until incorporated. Alternatively, you can add everything to a food processor or small blender and blend until smooth.
    Also, instead of whisking, you can add all the ingredients in a jar and vigorously shake it until it has a cohesive, smooth consistency.
    Use as needed. Store in the fridge.

Notes

  • Chop the basil. I prefer to chop the basil by hand. You can also use a food processor or mini blender to make it smoother.
  • Shake. Shake. Shake. It’s normal for the dressing to separate as it sits. The easiest way to mix all the ingredients is to place the dressing in a jar and vigorously shake it for a few seconds.
  • Good-quality ingredients. Make sure the olive oil and balsamic taste good. The basil is fresh, and the honey is real.
This basil garlic dressing can be easily adjusted to your liking. Instead of the basil, you can use fresh parsley, mint, or chives. You can skip the garlic if you don’t like it. The honey can also be left out, but the dressing will have a more acidic flavor. If you don’t like olive oil, you can use grapeseed oil instead. Instead of honey, use maple syrup.
If you like spicy food, add some chili flakes for extra heat. Adding sesame seeds or chopped nuts will add an extra crunch, texture, and visual appeal. Changing too many of the ingredients will result in a different type of dressing and flavor.

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