This homemade basil dressing is a fresh, flavorful and versatile sauce that comes together in just a few minutes, with no cooking required. Made with fresh basil, olive oil, lemon juice and a touch of mustard, it’s perfect for adding extra flavor to salads, Caprese, mozzarella, grilled meat and fish.
It’s also a great way to use up fresh basil during the summer and can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- Power 128,62 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 1,79 (g) of which sugars 0,75 (g)
- Proteins 0,37 (g)
- Fat 13,65 (g) of which saturated 1,88 (g)of which unsaturated 11,39 (g)
- Fibers 0,41 (g)
- Sodium 152,06 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 21 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Tools
Steps
Wash the basil leaves and gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Peel the shallot, roughly chop it and place it in a food processor. Add the dried basil leaves and mustard.
Add the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper and half of the olive oil.
Blend for a few seconds. Gradually add the remaining olive oil and continue blending until you have a smooth, creamy dressing. Add a little more olive oil if necessary, until you reach your desired consistency.
Transfer the basil dressing to a glass jar.
Storage
Transfer the basil dressing to a clean glass jar, close tightly with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
The olive oil may solidify slightly when chilled. Simply take the dressing out of the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving and let it come to room temperature. Give it a good stir or shake before using.
Serving ideas
It’s particularly good with salads, mozzarella and Caprese salad, but it also works beautifully with meat and fish.
Variations
For a stronger flavor, add a clove of garlic. You can also replace half of the basil with parsley.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make basil dressing ahead of time?
Yes! This dressing is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it up to a few days in advance and keep it refrigerated in a sealed jar.
Can I freeze basil dressing?
Yes. You can freeze it in small portions, for example in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the portions to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw only the amount you need before using.
Why does my basil dressing become solid in the refrigerator?
This is normal. Olive oil can become cloudy and solidify when chilled. Let the dressing sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before using.
What type of olive oil should I use?
Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil if possible. Since olive oil is one of the main ingredients, its flavor makes a noticeable difference.
Varied doses for servings