Servings
Font
Back
0 from 0 votes

Basil Salad Dressing

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly take on a creamy basil pesto salad dressing, you’ve found it! By substituting expensive pine nuts for a low-budget alternative, this pesto-inspired basil salad dressing packs in heaps of flavor at a very cheap price!

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 113 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of basil leaves
  • ¾ cup of water
  • ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup of peanuts
  • Juice of ½ of a small lemon
  • Pinch of salt, pepper, 
  • Red chili flakes, to taste (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Notes

  • Adjust the texture: Since this basil salad dressing contains peanuts, it’s naturally slightly chunky. If you want a smoother sauce, you’ll need to process it for longer. Alternatively, to help get a smoother lemon basil dressing, you can soak the peanuts in cold water for around 7-8 hrs. (overnight works best). As a bonus, soaking the peanuts can also neutralize the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors making them easier to digest, cause less bloating, and even increase your vitamin and mineral absorption. 
  •  
  • Experiment with the herbs: This sounds a bit odd to write on a basil pesto vinaigrette recipe, but you can experiment with substituting the basil for other herbs/greens like cilantro, mint, or even arugula, etc.  
  •  
  • If you can’t get fresh basil: Then you can still make a ‘cheat’ version of this pesto salad dressing by replacing the basil with any store-bought basil pesto.
  • Can I make a creamy basil dressing that is nut and seed-free? You may be able to make a version of this dressing using cooked white beans in place of the peanuts, which are neutral in flavor AND low budget (yay!). However, we haven’t tried – so can’t guarantee results.
  • Adjust the texture: Since this basil salad dressing contains peanuts, it’s naturally slightly chunky. If you want a smoother sauce, you’ll need to process it for longer. Alternatively, to help get a smoother lemon basil dressing, you can soak the peanuts in cold water for around 7-8 hrs. (overnight works best). As a bonus, soaking the peanuts can also neutralize the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors making them easier to digest, cause less bloating, and even increase your vitamin and mineral absorption. 
  • Experiment with the herbs: This sounds a bit odd to write on a basil pesto vinaigrette recipe, but you can experiment with substituting the basil for other herbs/greens like cilantro, mint, or even arugula, etc.  
  • If you can’t get fresh basil: Then you can still make a ‘cheat’ version of this pesto salad dressing by replacing the basil with any store-bought basil pesto.
  • Can I make a creamy basil dressing that is nut and seed-free? You may be able to make a version of this dressing using cooked white beans in place of the peanuts, which are neutral in flavor AND low budget (yay!). However, we haven’t tried – so can’t guarantee results.

Nutrition Information

Calories 113kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Sodium 3mg (0%) Potassium 83mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 237IU (5%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 18mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 113

% Daily Value*

Calories 113kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Potassium 83mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 237IU 5%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 18mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.