This is a healthy homemade dressing made with fresh basil, lemon, avocado and olive oil. The delicious aromatic basil will enhance your well-being. Toss it with greens for a fresh summer taste or serve it drizzled over grilled vegetables, sautéed chicken breast, grilled salmon, shrimp or tomatoes. It’s easy to make in just 5 minutes.
Making salad dressings at home doesn’t have to be difficult. This dressing has simple ingredients and is made in a blender. The tender basil leaves give it a fresh summery taste and the avocado makes it rich and creamy.
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This is the perfect summer dressing, especially if you grow your own basil. Even if you buy a bunch of basil, it will stay fresh for a week if stored it properly (see below). And there are so many ways to use basil in the summer.
Here are a few delicious recipes for your basil. Five Minute Zucchini Noodles with Garlic and Basil, Sauteed Patty Pan Squash with Tomatoes and Basil, Easy Mediterranean Fish with Tomatoes and Basil, and Amazing Vegan Pesto.
Health Benefits of Basil
Basil is packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals such as flavonoids which provide many health benefits. Here are a few :
Good for Digestion – It has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease digestive discomfort. Basil can also help balance the body’s acid levels.
Boosts Immunity – Basil contains zinc and vitamin C, which can help fight infection.
Antibacterial – Basil has antibacterial properties that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Good for Your Heart – Basil’s is high in magnesium which helps relax the muscles around the heart and improves blood flow.
Ingredients
This dressing is made with simple ingredients you can find in your local supermarket.
- fresh basil leaves
- lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- honey
- garlic
- avocado
- fresh or dried oregano
- sea salt and pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
How Do You Store Basil?
Basil has a tendency to go from a beautiful bright green to brown and wilted quickly. Here is a TIP to keep basil fresh for days.
STORE BASIL AS A BOUQUET
Put your unwashed bunch of basil into a jar filled with water just like flowers. Keep it on your counter away from sunlight and change the water every few days. You can also cover it loosely with a plastic bag to keep it longer. It will keep for almost 2 weeks but you’ll probably use it up before then.
How To Make Lemon Basil Dressing
It’s very easy. Using a blender, add the lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, avocado, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend on medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
With the blender running on low speed, slowly pour in the olive oil, processing until lightly thickened, about 30 seconds. Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired.
TIP: How to Get All The Dressing Out of The Blender
I try to get as much of the dressing out of the blender as possible, but it’s hard even with a thin silicon spatula. So what I do is, after pouring the dressing into a jar, I put a few lettuce leaves into the blender and stir it around with the spatula. The remaining dressing sticks to the lettuce leaves and can easily be transferred to your salad plate. It works so well, but only if you’re ready to eat your salad.
Storing Lemon Basil Dressing
The dressing will keep in the refrigerator in a covered glass jar for 3-4 days. If it separates or solidifies that is normal. Let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes then shake it up. It’s not good to freeze it.
Serving Suggestions
This dressing is great for any salad you make. I love it with Grilled Salmon Salad with Fresh Herbs. Here are a few other ways to use it:
- grilled zucchini
- sauteed or grilled chicken breast
- cubed chicken for chicken salad
- canned salmon for salmon salad
- grilled salmon
- sliced tomatoes
- cooked shrimp
Other dressings you may also like:
- Carrot Ginger Dressing
- 5 Minute Avocado Herb Sauce
- Yogurt Tahini Dressing
- Pumpkin Seed Cilantro Dressing
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Lemon Basil Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This bright aromatic dressing made with fresh basil and avocado is healthy and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 small cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 of an avocado
- 20 medium basil leaves, about 1 cup lightly packed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, or 1 teaspoons fresh oregano
- 1/2– 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a blender, add the lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, avocado, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend on medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
- With the blender running on low speed, slowly pour in the olive oil, processing until lightly thickened, about 30 seconds. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dressing
- Cuisine: Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy Free
