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Top down close-up view of basil oil in glass jar with spoon.
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5 from 7 votes

Basil Oil

Make this aromatic basil oil with just three ingredients - fresh Italian basil, olive oil and lemon juice. Enjoy it as a salad dressing, a dip, drizzled over pasta or grilled veggies, and so much more!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 16 one tablespoon servings
Calories: 120kcal
Author: Vaishali · Holy Cow Vegan

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves (also called Italian basil or sweet basil)
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice (1 lemon approx)
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or use red pepper flakes)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Boil water in a saucepan. Add the basil leaves and blanch 30 seconds.
    Basil blanching in boiling water.
  • Quickly remove the basil leaves to an ice bath--a bowl of ice-cold water.
    Basil leaves in ice bath.
  • Pat the basil leaves thoroughly dry using paper towels.
    Basil being dried on paper towels.
  • Place the basil in a blender with the extra virgin olive oil, salt, lemon juice and ground black pepper. Blend until smooth.
    Basil oil ingredients in blender cup.
  • You can serve the basil oil as is, or put it through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to get a clear green oil.
    Basil oil in a glass jar with a spoon and a sprig of basil to the side.

Notes

  • Serving size is 1 tablespoon. Recipe makes approximately a cup of basil oil (unstrained). After straining volume will be slightly reduced.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg