I’ve told you before that I am a sucker for a yummy salad. So when my friend brought this AMAZING vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing to our Bible study one night, I was hooked. She said it was simple and took all of 5 minutes to make. She sent me over to Jenn at Once Upon a Chef, who created the original recipe.
I have now made this dressing several times and love it! I have made a few weeks here and there and have finally settled on what I think is the perfect combination. Let me show you how easy it is:
How to Build the Perfect Vegetable Salad with Italian Basil Dressing
There really is no right or wrong way to make this vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing! That being said, I think there are combinations that taste even better and really let the Italian basil dressing shine. Let me walk you through it step by step.
Step 1: Start with Fresh Greens
Grab a head of romaine lettuce. Wash it thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces. This will be the base for your salad, giving it that perfect crispness.
Step 2: Add Vibrant Bell Peppers
Slice up a large red bell pepper. Its sweet crunch pairs perfectly with the dressing and gives your salad a pop of color.
Step 3: Slice Some Cucumber
Thinly slice a large cucumber. It adds a fresh, cool element that balances out the other veggies.
Step 4: Peel In Some Carrot
Use a vegetable peeler to add ribbons of a large carrot. The texture and slight sweetness are a great addition.
Step 5: Toss in Juicy Tomatoes
Take a 6 oz package of cherry tomatoes, cut them in half, and add them to the mix. They bring a burst of flavor to every bite.
Step 6: Sprinkle on Feta Cheese
Finish things off with 3 oz of crumbled Feta cheese. Its salty tang complements the vegetables and ties everything together.
Step 7: Mix It All Together
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. The result? A bright, colorful salad that’s as healthy as it is delicious!
I’ve served this vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing countless times to friends, and without fail, they always ask, “What was in that delicious dressing?” Well, now that you know how the salad comes together, let’s talk about that amazing Italian basil dressing!
The Italian Basil Dressing
The real magic of this salad lies in the Italian basil dressing. It’s fresh, zesty, and irresistibly flavorful.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
All you need is your food processor and a sturdy spatula. This recipe is bulky until blended, so I use my 9-cup food processor. If yours is smaller, don’t worry! Just pulse the ingredients in batches. Here’s what you’ll need to make the Italian basil dressing:
- A handful of roughly chopped parsley
- 10–14 big basil leaves (no stems)
- 1/4 tsp fresh oregano
- 2 peeled garlic cloves
- 1.5 tsp honey
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup light olive oil
- 3/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Once you’ve got everything ready, you’re just a quick blend away from the most flavorful dressing!
Step 2: Blend to Perfection
Pulse everything together until the Italian basil dressing is nice and smooth.
Now you have the most dreamy green dressing on the planet! I can’t explain how fresh this tastes; it’s like an aromatic herb garden pureed into liquid form. You simply have to try it! It truly is hard not to sit there and lick the bowl. (P.S. I bet this would be amazing on top of grilled chicken!)
Step 3: Toss for Maximum Flavor
The Italian basil dressing tastes best on the salad if it is tossed among the greens and not just drizzled on top.
If you have dressing leftover (which I doubt because it is incredibly addicting), then pour it into a mason jar or glass bowl with a lid and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. The following list contains the main courses I think would go best with this vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing and why:
- Crockpot Bolognese Sauce: It continues the Italian theme and makes your house smell amazing while it simmers all day.
- One-Pan Apricot Sage Chicken: It is a healthy summery dish that only takes 30 minutes to make.
- 3-Ingredient Slow Cooked Chuck Roast: Its robust flavor would pair nicely with this light salad.
- 3-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese: You can prepare it ahead of time, and it makes great leftovers.
Pairing one of these with your vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing creates an unforgettable meal!
Explore More Salad Options
If this vegetable salad with Italian basil dressing doesn’t grab you and you’re interested in others, you may want to check out the salads on the recipe index or follow my Sweet and Savory Salad Board on Pinterest. Happy Cooking, ya’ll!
