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Lemon Basil Vinaigrette Basil Dressings

Want a dressing so bright and fresh it makes even boring greens taste exciting? This Lemon Basil Vinaigrette delivers punchy citrus and fragrant basil in one quick blend, and it comes together in just 5 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Gluten-free, Hot Summer Days, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 164
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • This recipe keeps things minimal letting fresh basil and lemon do all the flavor work. Here's exactly what you need.
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • Seven ingredients and every single one earns its place. FYI, using both lemon juice and zest brings a more layered citrus flavor than juice alone the zest carries a lot of that bright, essential oil.

Equipment

  • This recipe keeps the tool list about as short as it gets. Here's what to grab:
  • Food processor or blender
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small jar or container, for storage
  • No stove, no complicated equipment. A food processor genuinely handles the entire process in seconds.

Method
 

  1. Step 1- Combine Everything
  2. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh basil leaves to a food processor or blender.
  3. Step 2- Blend Until Smooth
  4. Blend until completely smooth, with the basil fully incorporated into the dressing.
  5. Step 3- Serve or Store
  6. Pour over your favorite salad, or use as a marinade for tofu, tempeh, or roasted vegetables. Store any extra in a sealed jar in the fridge.
  7. That's genuinely the entire process. Two simple steps, and you've got a dressing that tastes far more vibrant than anything store-bought.

Notes

Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving)

Here's exactly what you're getting per serving, based on 4 total servings (about 2 tablespoons each) from this recipe:
  • Calories- 164 kcal
  • Carbohydrates- 1g
  • Protein- 0.2g
  • Fat- 18g
  • Saturated Fat- 2g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat- 2g
  • Monounsaturated Fat- 13g
  • Sodium- 73mg
  • Potassium- 23mg
  • Fiber- 0.3g
  • Sugar- 0.4g
  • Vitamin A- 107 IU
  • Vitamin C- 7mg
  • Calcium- 7mg
  • Iron- 0.2mg