Bright, fresh, and wonderfully simple, this lemon basil salad dressing is an easy way to turn an everyday salad into something special.
Fresh basil brings a fragrant, herby flavor, while lemon juice adds just the right amount of tang.
A touch of honey balances the acidity, and extra-virgin olive oil gives the dressing a smooth, rich finish.
Best of all, you can make it in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Basil Dressing
This homemade dressing is:
- Fresh and flavorful – real lemon and fresh basil make all the difference.
- Quick to prepare – it takes only a few minutes.
- Versatile – delicious on green salads, pasta salads, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls.
- Easy to customize – make it sweeter, tangier, creamier, or more garlicky to suit your taste.
- Better than bottled – you control every ingredient and can adjust the flavor exactly how you like it.
Lemon Basil Salad Dressing Recipe Ingredients
For about ¾ cup of dressing, you’ll need:
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
A Note About the Ingredients
Fresh basil: Fresh leaves provide the best flavor and aroma. Dried basil won’t give you the same bright, fresh result.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended. Bottled lemon juice can taste noticeably sharper or flatter.
Honey: Honey softens the acidity of the lemon. Start with one tablespoon and add more if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
Olive oil: Use a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil because its flavor is an important part of the finished dressing.
How to Make Lemon Basil Salad Dressing
1. Add the ingredients
Place the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, basil leaves, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until smooth
Blend for about 20–30 seconds, or until the basil and garlic are finely incorporated and the dressing looks smooth and vibrant.
If you don’t have a blender, finely chop the basil and garlic, then whisk everything together vigorously in a bowl or jar.
3. Taste and adjust
Taste the dressing and adjust it to your preference.
- Too tart? Add a little more honey.
- Too rich? Add another splash of lemon juice.
- Too mild? Add a pinch more salt or a little extra Dijon mustard.
- Want more basil flavor? Add a few additional leaves and blend again.
4. Serve
Drizzle the dressing over your favorite salad and toss just before serving.
For the best flavor, let the dressing sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the basil and garlic time to infuse the oil and lemon.
The Perfect Salad to Pair With It
This lemon basil dressing works especially well with fresh, summery ingredients.
Try tossing it with:
- Mixed greens or romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Avocado
- Red onion
- Fresh mozzarella or feta
- Grilled chicken
- Roasted vegetables
- Toasted nuts or seeds
For a simple meal, combine mixed greens, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, grilled chicken, and a generous drizzle of lemon basil dressing.
Tips for the Best Homemade Dressing
Use fresh basil. This is the star ingredient, so fresh leaves will give you a much brighter flavor.
Balance the acidity. Lemon can vary in intensity, so don’t be afraid to adjust the honey and olive oil after tasting.
Don’t skip the salt. Even a small amount helps bring out the flavor of the lemon and basil.
Shake before serving. Like most homemade vinaigrettes, the ingredients naturally separate. Give the dressing a good shake or whisk before using.
Start with less dressing. You can always add more, but an overdressed salad can quickly become soggy. Begin with a small amount and add more as needed.
Delicious Variations
Creamy Lemon Basil Dressing
For a creamy version, blend in 2–3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt. You can also use mayonnaise for a richer dressing.
Lemon Basil Balsamic Dressing
Add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor.
Spicy Lemon Basil Dressing
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small amount of fresh chili for a pleasant kick.
Lemon Basil Parmesan Dressing
Blend in 2 tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan for a savory, cheesy variation that’s especially good with pasta salads.
How to Store It
Store the dressing in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Because olive oil can solidify when chilled, the dressing may look cloudy or become thicker in the refrigerator. Simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and shake well before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you along, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions about this recipe.
Can I make this dressing without honey?
Absolutely. You can replace the honey with maple syrup or simply leave it out. Keep in mind that the dressing will be more tart without a sweetener.
Can I use dried basil?
Fresh basil is best for this recipe. If fresh basil isn’t available, dried basil can work in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, making it a little ahead of time can improve the flavor because the basil and garlic have time to infuse the dressing.
What else can I use this dressing for?
Don’t limit it to lettuce salads. Try it as a marinade for chicken, a dressing for pasta salad, a topping for grilled vegetables, or a drizzle over fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.
Once you try this lemon basil salad dressing, you may never want to rely on bottled dressing again. The combination of zesty lemon, fragrant basil, smooth olive oil, garlic, and a touch of honey creates a wonderfully balanced dressing that’s fresh enough for summer salads but versatile enough to use all year.
It takes only a few minutes to make, requires simple ingredients, and can instantly brighten up almost any meal. Keep a jar in the refrigerator, and you’ll always have an easy homemade dressing ready to go.
Recipe at a glance: Blend ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1–2 tablespoons honey, ½ cup fresh basil, 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste, adjust, and enjoy!
Lemon Basil Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Place the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, basil leaves, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor.
- Blend for about 20–30 seconds, or until the basil and garlic are finely incorporated and the dressing looks smooth and vibrant.
- If you don’t have a blender, finely chop the basil and garlic, then whisk everything together vigorously in a bowl or jar.
- Taste the dressing and adjust it to your preference.
- Want more basil flavor? Add a few additional leaves and blend again.
- Drizzle the dressing over your favorite salad and toss just before serving.
Video
Notes
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