• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathy's Vegan Kitchen
  • Recipes
  • Categories
    • Vegan Entrees
    • Breakfast
    • Sandwiches
    • Small Bites
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    • Vegan Sides
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • How-To
    • Our Vegan Life
  • Vegan Reviews
    • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
    • Purple Carrot Review
    • Veestro Review
    • Fresh N’ Lean Review
  • About
  • TOP 50 EBOOK
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE!
  • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE!
    • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home / Recipes / Sauces, Dips & Dressings

    Quick and Easy Lemon Basil Dressing

    Published: Jan 2, 2025 · Modified: Jan 2, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

    266 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Lemon basil dressing is an oil-free and refreshing dressing. Perfect for salads, as a dip, or to drizzle on vegetables, this lemon basil dressing recipe is easy to make with very few ingredients.

    Lemon basil dressing in a small bowl nest to a large green salad on the table.

    My herb garden is busting with basil. When I decided to make my green bean salad recipe today, I decided to pair it with my lemon basil dressing recipe. Since the produce was so beautiful at the market this week, I planned an entire week of salads for dinner. Not only is lemon basil dressing refreshing, but it's also oil-free and perfect for any summer salad recipe. And, it's simple to make! 

    Jump to:
    • Vegan Lemon Basil Dressing Ingredients
    • Lemon Basil Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Make Lemon Basil Dressing
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • Vegan Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    I love lemon basil dressing so much that I often double the batch and put it on various dishes. I would eat it with a fox, in a box, in a house.....it's just that good!

    Vegan Lemon Basil Dressing Ingredients

    Vegan basil dressing ingredients: Raw almonds, lemon, lemon zest, white vinegar, garlic, water, maple syrup, and basil.
    • Raw Blanched Almonds: Raw blanched slivered almonds are almonds where the skins have been removed.
    • White Vinegar: White wine vinegar is best used with more delicate salads, and any situation, you want to add a hint of vinegar but do not want that flavor to overwhelm the dish. This vinegar also has a clear to light yellow tint that will not discolor food.
    • Water: Water is used to thin the dressing and acts as an emulsifier in the absence of oil.
    • Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice gives the lemon basil dressing a fresh citrus flavor.
    • Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves in dressing for the best flavor.
    • Fresh Basil: Fresh basil is essential for this dressing, as it the base of the dressing.
    • Maple Syrup: Maple Syrup is a natural sweetener instead of adding refined sugar.

    Lemon Basil Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

    • You can use cashews or macadamia nuts instead of almonds.
    • Apple cider vinegar is an excellent substitute for white vinegar.
    • Although fresh lemon juice is better, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
    • Instead of fresh garlic, use ¼ teaspoon of granulated garlic in place of each clove. Garlic powder: Use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of each clove. Garlic salt: Use ½ teaspoon of garlic salt in place of each clove. This will add an extra ⅜ teaspoon of salt, so decrease the salt in your recipe accordingly.
    • Date syrup or agave nectar are substitutes for maple syrup.

    How to Make Lemon Basil Dressing

    Vegan lemon dressing recipe in a bowl on the table.
    • If you have a high quality blender, you don't need to soak the almonds overnight to soften them.
    • However, if you don't have a high-speed blender, soak the almonds overnight, or a quick and easy way to soften them, boil the almonds for 10 minutes, drain, and then blend.
    • Add all the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.
    • Refrigerate until ready to use the lemon basil dressing.
    • The dressing will thicken in the refrigerator.

    Serving Suggestions

    Green bean salad with vegan lemon basil dressing recipe.

    This vegan lemon basil dressing is perfect for any salad or as a dip. I love it on everything!

    • Green Bean Salad
    • Asparagus Salad
    • Roasted Vegetable Salad
    • Zucchini Fries
    • Portobello Mushroom Fries
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Drizzled on Steamed Vegetables
    • Add to Brown Rice or Quinoa

    Recipe FAQs

    What is a good substitute for almonds?

    Cashews, pecans, or walnuts often replace almonds in salad dressings. For a nut-free alternative, try hemp seeds or sunflower seeds.

    What do almonds do for the body?

    The health benefits of almonds include lower blood pressure, reduced blood pressure, and lower cholesterol.

    Are almonds tree nuts?

    Yes, almonds are tree nuts.

    Tips

    • First, fresh basil is necessary to make this refreshing lemon basil dressing. In Arizona, basil thrives in my garden in 100-degree temperatures.
    • All my herbs grow at an increasing rate all year round compared to my indoor and outdoor gardens when we lived in Michigan.
    • Another suggestion is to use fresh lemon juice and garlic. Even though it would take a discerning palate to tell the difference between bottled and fresh lemon juice, most bottled juices contain preservatives.
    • Another bonus to fresh lemon is the lemon zest. Since I used lemon zest for this lemon basil dressing, buy organic lemons or scrub them before zesting. 
    • Additionally,  you will need a quality high-speed blender. For instance, I use a Nutri-bullet, which is inexpensive, I've owned it for years.
    • Despite popular belief, you do not need a blender similar to a car payment. Quality, for example, doesn't always come with the highest price tag. 

    Try this vegan lemon basil dressing on a salad or as a dip. Drizzle it on a baked potato rice or quinoa!

    Vegan Recipes You Will Love!

    • turmeric roasted vegetables
      Turmeric Roasted Vegetables
    • Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe
      Spicy Peanut Noodles
    • Pineapple fried rice Recipe
      Pineapple Fried Rice
    • superfood salad recipe
      Superfood Salad

    If you love this lemon basil dressing recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Quick and Easy Lemon Basil Dressing

    Kathy Carmichael
    Lemon basil dressing is an oil-free and refreshing dressing. Perfect for salads, as a dip, or to drizzle on vegetables, lemon basil dressing recipe is easy to make with very few ingredients.
    4.85 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 41 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup packed fresh basil
    • ¼ cup water
    • ¼ cup white vinegar
    • 1 ½ lemons juiced and zested
    • ¼ cup raw blanched slivered almonds
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 Tablespoon Maple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
    • Blend on high until smooth.
    • Place the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    • First, fresh basil is necessary to make this refreshing lemon basil dressing. In Arizona, basil thrives in my garden in 100-degree temperatures.
    • All my herbs grow at an increasing rate all year round compared to my indoor and outdoor gardens when we lived in Michigan.
    • Another suggestion is to use fresh lemon juice and garlic. Even though it would take a discerning palate to tell the difference between bottled and fresh lemon juice, most bottled juices contain preservatives.
    • Another bonus to fresh lemon is the lemon zest. Since I used lemon zest for this lemon basil dressing, buy organic lemons or scrub them before zesting. 
    • Additionally,  you will need a quality high-speed blender. For instance, I use a Nutri-bullet, which is inexpensive, I've owned it for years.
    • Despite popular belief, you do not need a blender similar to a car payment. Quality, for example, doesn't always come with the highest price tag. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

    Get FREE Recipes In Your Inbox :)

    I'll Send You New Recipes When I Post!

    Invalid email address
    We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Free Recipes On The Way! :)- Kathy

    More Sauces, Dips & Dressings

    • hummus salad dressing
      Quick & Easy Hummus Dressing
    • citrus dressing recipe
      Citrus Dressing for Salads
    • creamy green chili sauce recipe
      Creamy Green Chili Sauce
    • vegan nacho cheese sauce
      The Best Vegan Nacho Cheese

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.85 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

      Did you make this recipe? Leave a reply below! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Susan Smeltzer

      August 14, 2024 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Kathy,

      I love this recipe, but I make it using lemons from my tree. They're bigger than the store lemons and way juicier, so I'm a little confused how much lemon juice I really need here. Can you provide a Tablespoon or Cup measurement rather than 1 and a half lemons' juice?

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        August 15, 2024 at 6:01 am

        Hi Susan, I suggest about 6 Tablespoons of lemon juice. Then, please feel free to taste it and add more if you wish. We have a lemon tree also, and I LOVE fresh it!

        Reply
    2. Diane Barnett

      August 16, 2022 at 8:18 am

      Is there another vinegar I can sub for white vinegar? Like unsweetened rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        August 16, 2022 at 9:19 am

        Hi Diane, if you need a different vinegar to substitute for white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

    More about me →

    Light and Delicious Vegan Spring Food Recipes

    • Quick and Easy Southwest Coleslaw
    • White Bean Avocado Sandwich Recipe
    • creamy mushroom pasta
      Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    • Vegan Minestrone Recipe
      Vegan Minestrone Soup Recipe
    • chickpea artichoke salad
      Artichoke Chickpea Salad
    • Mediterranean Salad With Chickpeas recipe
      Mediterranean Salad with Chickpeas

    Top 50 Recipes Cookbook

    Popular Vegan Dishes

    • vegans tir fry recipe
      The Best Vegan Stir Fry
    • mango salad
      Simple Mango Kale Salad
    • lentil meatloaf
      The Best Vegan Meatloaf
    • vegan chicken salad
      Best Vegan Chicken Salad
    • easy bean salad recipe
      Bean Salad With Oil Free Dressing
    • vegan drunken noodles recipe
      Easy Vegan Drunken Noodles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Affiliate Policy

    Cookbook

    • My Top 50 Recipe Cookbook!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Made with ♥️ in Arizona.

    Copyright © Kathy's Vegan Kitchen :)

    266 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.