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You’ll love this Strawberry Basil Dressing. It’s so very creamy it will brighten up any salad. Just add the ingredients to a blender and enjoy in less than 5 minutes!
Update: This recipe was originally published in 2018 and has been republished with all new photos.
I’ve always loved a big salad loaded with plenty of incredible ingredients. A little olive oil and vinegar drizzled on top and I’m a happy camper.
Then of course sometimes I want a spectacular dressing. This Strawberry Basil Dressing most definitely qualifies. It is spectacular. Really. I am tempted to guzzle it straight from the bottle. But I don’t. Because restraint, y’all.
A little sweet. Not too sweet.
And THAT COLOR. It’s so dang pretty.
But the best part may just be how simple it is to make. Everything goes straight into the blender! You’ll be ready to devour this dressing in less than 5 minutes. Honestly how could it be any easier than that?
The ingredients are all fresh and healthy because you know that’s how I like it.
Add this to your salad and you won’t undo all the good you’re doing by eating a salad in the first place. If you’re looking for some salad inspiration I recommend my Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad. It’s completely designed around this Strawberry Basil Dressing!
Give this beautiful dressing a go and make your next salad a little sweeter and a whole lot brighter!
For this recipe you’ll need (full list of ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below):
- Light olive oil (not extra virgin)
- White wine vinegar
- Orange juice
- Ripe strawberries
- Fresh basil
- Water
- Salt
To make the dressing just add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. It’s that easy!
Is this dressing sweet?
It’s lightly sweet thanks to the strawberries and orange juice. It’s really important to use ripe strawberries so you get that sweetness!
Why use light olive oil instead of extra virgin?
This is the number one question I receive for this dressing. While I love extra virgin olive oil and use it in tons of recipes, do not use it here. Extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor and an oily texture that really comes through in the finished dressing. We don’t want that! Light olive oil has a much milder flavor and blends beautifully so the strawberries and basil can shine. Trust me, the light olive oil makes a huge difference here! Don’t waste your time trying to make extra virgin olive oil work here. It doesn’t.
What makes this dressing creamy if it contains no dairy?
That creamy appearance and texture comes from blending strawberries with the light olive oil. While it’s technically a vinaigrette just based on ingredients alone, this dressing definitely doesn’t look like one at all.
Is this dressing Whole30 compliant?
It sure is! There is no dairy or sugar so just be sure to use a compliant orange juice (which is super easy to find).
How to store this dressing
Store any remaining dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More easy salad dressing recipes:
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
Strawberry Basil Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light olive oil, do not use extra virgin
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 3 ripe strawberries
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add everything to blender and blend until smooth. Serve over salad!
- Store any remaining dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Christina said this was one of her favorite salad dressings ever and she. Was. Not. Lying. I made enough to last me through last week, and I loved it so much I’m having it for lunch every day for lunches this week too.
I haven’t made this yet. I just put Light Olive Oil on my grocery shopping list. Can I use dried basil? If so, how much would you use? Since dried is so much stronger than fresh, to start I’m thinking of using just a teaspoon. I also might try this with raspberries as I usually have them in the house.
Hi Cheryl, I would stick with fresh in this particular recipe.