Basil Mint Dressing

This herbalicious basil and mint dressing is a fresh and easy salad dressing recipe to make. Not only perfect for spring/summer salads but also for potatoes, roast meats and steak.

Why You’ll Love Our Basil Mint Dressing

Super fresh and zippy, this basil mint dressing adds so much flavour and colour to salads! 

Plus, it is very easy to make. Taking less than 10 minutes to whip up. Basically, just blitz everything in one hit. It can’t get more simple than that.

Perfect use of summer herbs, this basil mint dressing would work well not only for leafy green salads but also with pasta salads, boiled potatoes or as a basil mint sauce for flank steak, roast lamb or steamed greens.

Does Basil and Mint Go Together?

Ah sweet, sweet basil! How aromatic and tender you are! Of all the herbs, the basil reigns supreme. I guess it’s not called the “King of Herbs” for no reason.

Basil has been cultivated for more than 5000 years with the ancient Egyptians using it to embalm their mummies. In fact, basil comes from the Greek name Basileus meaning “king”.

For me, however, basil is the “King of Herbs” because it is the most so incredibly aromatic.

Basil has a slightly peppery and sweet taste, while mint offers a cool, refreshing, and slightly sweet menthol flavour. When combined, basil and mint create a unique and balanced taste profile.

So yes, mint and basil can go together quite well. They are popular herbs with distinct flavours and aromas that complement each other nicely in various dishes. Plus, the stunning green colours together will brighten up any kind of dish!

Both herbs are versatile and can be used in a wide range of cuisines and dishes. They work well in salads, pasta dishes, soups, beverages, and even desserts.

For this salad dressing recipe, the mint and basil aroma smacks you in the mouth with all the right herbaceous notes.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this basil mint dressing:

• Basil: Beautiful, aromatic and oh so sweet. Blend it to release all the wonderful flavours of the basil and let it seep through your salad recipe.

• Mint: Refreshing minty goodness. Add just as much mint to basil for a truly herby dressing.

• Lemon: Add some citrusy notes to the dressing. Always has such a good touch of tartness.

• Red wine vinegar: Good acidic base for a salad dressing.

• Olive oil: Can’t have a dressing without quality olive oil!

• Salt and pepper: Just season to taste. Don’t need too much.

Variations and Substitutions

For a lighter vinaigrette: I have not used a lot of olive oil in this recipe, giving it a sauce-like texture similar to our chimichurri sauce. If you prefer a silkier consistency, simply double the oil and blend for a longer period.

All lemony dressing: If you wish to have more of a citrusy flavour, use only lemon juice for the acidic base. No need to add red wine vinegar to create a lemon basil vinaigrette. 

Add garlic: For an extra garlicky punch, add 1 clove of garlic in the dressing. Put in the food processor and blitz together.

Instructions

Step by step instructions for how to make basil mint dressing:

I used my food processor for this as it was the quickest way to combine the ingredients. You can finely chop everything if you don’t have a food processor.

Place basil, mint, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil in the food processor and blend until combined. 

Take the lid off the food processor, add lemon zest and stir together.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.