Name: Lemon Basil Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Paleo
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

Jump to Recipe

This is a healthy homemade dressing made with fresh basil, lemon, avocado and olive oil. The delicious aromatic basil will enhance your well-being. It’s easy to make in just 5 minutes. Toss it with greens for a fresh summer taste or serve it drizzled over grilled vegetables, sautéed chicken breast, grilled salmon, shrimp or tomatoes.

Lemon Basil Dressing in jar with hand holding and basil on the counter

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.

In This Post

Health Benefits of Basil
Ingredients
How Do You Store Basil?
How To Make Lemon Basil Dressing
- TIP: Getting The Dressing Out of The Blender
Storing Lemon Basil Dressing
Serving Suggestions

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 day. If you cover it loosely with a plastic bag it will say longer.

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.

Lemon Basil Dressing in a blender getting ready to blend

Lemon Basil Dressing in a bowl with a spoon

TIP: Getting 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.

Lemon Basil Dressing using lettuce to get dressing out of the blender with a thin spatula

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

Lemon Basil Dressing in jar with basil on the side

Other dressings you may also like:

Would you like to have more of these delicious healthy recipes sent to you each week? CLICK TO SIGN UP for my weekly email newsletter of recipes and tips for you to eat well and enjoy your wonderful life.

⭐️ PLEASE RATE THE RECIPE!

Do you like this recipe? If so, let us know how it turned out by leaving a star rating and comment below The stars help me get noticed by google which allows my business to thrive. I love hearing from you.