This raspberry basil vinaigrette is ready in 3 minutes, contains a full cup of raspberries, and no oil! Creamy, tangy, sweet and refreshing.
A good salad dressing brings life to a salad! This raspberry basil vinaigrette is light, creamy and so delicious. If you are looking for more delicious homemade dressings you have to check out this Roasted Strawberry Vinaigrette and this Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.
I'm pretty excited about this raspberry basil vinaigrette, because not only does it taste pretty fantastic, but it is SO easy to make, and is good for you!
With a whole cup of raspberries, fresh basil leaves, a splash of red wine vinegar (you can also use balsamic vinegar), and some maple syrup to sweeten, it's simple to prepare and is sweet and tangy.
Reasons you'll ♡ this raspberry vinaigrette
- it is oil-free and made with fresh berries
- it is vegan, dairy-free, thick and creamy
- it's sweet, tangy and fresh
Ingredients you'll need
- Raspberries- go for fresh, sweet berries. If your berries are not at all sweet, consider increasing the maple syrup a touch to compensate
- Basil- you absolutely need fresh basil for this recipe; use the leaves only and discard the stems
- Red wine vinegar- adds a tanginess to this dressing that compliments the sweet berries. You may swap for balsamic vinegar, but the dressing will lose its bright red color
- Water- thins the dressing out a touch
- Sweetener- enhances the sweetness a touch since raspberries are not naturally overly sweet. Use honey, brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Dijon- enhances the flavors of the dressing, but does not taste like mustard
Making the dressing
To make raspberry basil vinaigrette, you'll need a stand or immersion blender. A small food processor may also work. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Taste and add more maple syrup to sweeten or more water to thin out.
Storage
This dressing tastes best served right away as the fresh raspberry and basil flavors really come through. As it sits in the fridge, the flavors do dissipate a touch, but it's still good. You may store for up to 1 week. I do not recommend freezing the dressing.
How to use this dressing
This dressing was developed to go on the raspberry Panzanella salad and works best on a light spinach salad with additional fresh berries.
More vinaigrettes
- 4 Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
- 7 Basic Vinaigrette Recipes
- 5 Minute Asian Salad Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
Raspberry Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 cup raspberries fresh + sweet
- ¼ cup basil fresh; loosely packed
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar; see note 1
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup note 2; honey or brown sugar may be also be used in equal amounts
- ¼ teaspoon dijon
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or small bowl.
- Blend until smooth.
- Taste and add additional sugar or vinegar if necessary.
Wisdohm
The commentary before the recipe mentions brown sugar, but the recipe itself used maple syrup. Which should be used? If interchangeable, how much brown sugar replaces the 2 TBSP of maple syrup?
Denise
Hi Wisdohm, sorry for the confusion! Either works, but I will update the post to be more straight forward 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life
I just love vinaigrettes! Such a great idea to use raspberries and basil. I need a salad like this soon!
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Just the COLOR of this dressing is convincing me! It's so vibrant and beautiful, Denise! I would cover ALL my salads with this gorgeous dressing!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
Never knew dressing could be so easy to make. I need to give this a try. I love that you don't use oil in this vinaigrette too. Love you dressing holder too. I need to buy that!
Denise
SO easy! The dressing holder is from oxo, I love it and use it all the time. But most of the shots are in the little cup that came with my immersion blender. Thanks Cyndi!
marcie
Sounds like you had a nice weekend, and what a great way to start off the week! I love fruit-based salad dressings, and the fresh basil sounds like such a nice touch! This would be perfect on so many summer salads -- it looks delicious, Denise!
Denise
YES! I am so happy summer is here! Or my 'summer state of mind', ha ha! Thanks Marcie!
Ashley - The Recipe Rebel
I am definitely making this for the hubs! He asked me a while back to pick up a sweeter salad dressing so I --gasp -- just bought some raspberry vinaigrette. But I am starting to figure out that they're super easy to make and I'll have to try this one next! The basil on my window sill is getting out of control!
Denise
I hope you guys like it! And I'm jealous of your basil, I need to get some growing. I'm really good at killing it!
Natalie
I'm always looking for dressings to make without oil and this one looks perfect! Now I don't have to go out and buy dressing 🙂 Do you happen to remember how much this recipe yielded?
Denise
Hi Natalie! Sorry about that I should modify the recipe to be a little more descriptive. It made enough to serve over 4 meal-sized salads, I believe 1.5 cups? I hope that helps 🙂
Medha
I've had raspberry vinaigrettes, but never with basil- love this idea, it sounds so delicious and looks stunning!
Denise
Raspberries + basil are TOO GOOD together! Thanks, Medha!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I can't wait to try this dressing! It sounds so flavorful and perfect for a spring salad.
Denise
Thanks so much, Jen! I hope you like it 🙂