Citrus Basil Vinaigrette
A squeeze of orange and a few leaves of basil, and you’ll be drizzling this Citrus Basil Vinaigrette over everything all week, not just salads. It started as a summer staple in my kitchen, a personal favorite over roasted or grilled salmon, but it didn’t take long before it found its way onto everything else… simple greens, leftover vegetables, even throw-together grain-free bowls that suddenly feel pulled together. The orange keeps it bright without the sharpness of a typical lemon vinaigrette, and the basil brings that fresh, herby finish. It’s one of the first things I make when I start seeing fresh basil pop up at the market.
How this recipe fits AIP, Paleo and Whole30
This simple whole-foods dressing is ideal if you’re following AIP and Paleo. There are just a few ingredients in this dressing and they’re all compatible. If you’re following Whole30, Plant-Based Whole30, or you’re mindful added sugars, you can omit the honey. It’s just a smidge and the fresh orange juice is sweet enough to carry most of balance.
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First, squeeze the orange and measure a quarter-cup of juice. One orange should be enough, but depending on ripeness or the size, you may need two.
Then, add the olive oil, peeled garlic clove, basil, honey and salt to a jar. I’m using a medium sized clove of garlic. And since this is raw garlic, it will be a strong flavor in this dressing. If you like, start with half a clove, and then add more if you prefer. Blend with an immersion blender, then season to taste.
As the vinaigrette sits in the fridge, it will separate, so just give it a quick whisk and it will come back together. This is a very forgiving dressing, meaning that you can balance it out however you like. If you want more garlic, a few more basil leaves, another squeeze of orange juice… add them and blend until it’s just right for you.
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Citrus Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 medium clove garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the olive oil, orange juice, basil, garlic, honey, and salt to a blender or a tall container if using an immersion blender. Blend until fully combined and emulsified, about 20 to 30 seconds, until the dressing is smooth and lightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding another pinch of salt or a small drizzle of honey to balance.
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