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Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing with Basil

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A bright, balanced, and delicious homemade lemon basil vinaigrette that wakes up every salad ingredient with fresh citrus zing and herbaceous basil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 30 ml)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (about 80 ml)
  • 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Roll the lemons on the counter to loosen the juice, then cut in half and juice until you have about 2 tablespoons (30 ml). Be careful not to get seeds in your juice.
  2. Wash and pat dry fresh basil leaves. Stack them, roll into a cigar shape, and slice thinly (chiffonade) to get about 1/4 cup packed.
  3. Peel and finely mince one small garlic clove.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey or maple syrup. Whisk vigorously until the mixture thickens slightly and is homogeneous, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the chopped basil and minced garlic.
  6. Sprinkle in salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk again to distribute evenly.
  7. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasoning if needed: add more honey or olive oil if too tart, or more lemon juice or salt if too mild.
  8. Let the dressing rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir again before serving.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice for best brightness. Whisk olive oil slowly into lemon juice and mustard to create a stable emulsion. Let dressing rest to meld flavors. Shake or whisk before each use as ingredients may separate. For vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Optional additions include apple cider vinegar for extra zing or red pepper flakes for heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon vinaigrette, basil dressing, homemade salad dressing, fresh lemon dressing, easy vinaigrette, healthy salad dressing, basil vinaigrette

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/fresh-lemon-vinaigrette-dressing-with-basil-easy-homemade-recipe-for-perfect-salads/