• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipes + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Raw
    • Vegan
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Eat Condiments

How to Make Basil Oil

No ratings yet
Recipe Print Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Mar 01, 2022 1 Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Learn how to make Basil Oil — the perfect addition to any soup, salad, bread, or any dish that could a bit of something extra!

A shallow white dish filled with herb oil with a few slices of bread resting on the edges of the dish

Sometimes a dish needs a subtle hint of flavor, but fresh herbs will be a bit too much. In instances like this, especially when something basil-y is in order, try this homemade basil oil!

As with our infused olive oil and truffle oil, basil oil is very versatile. It’s the perfect addition for drizzling over veggies, using as a flavoring for tomato and mozzarella caprese salad, adding to soup, or enjoying on fresh-out-of-the-oven bread!

You’ll love this herb oil because it’s quick and easy to make. Just like that, you’ll have a ready-made flavor addition to add to nearly any dish!

An up close view of tomato and mozzarella slices coated in a basil oil drizzle

Ingredients Needed to make herb oil

This homemade basil oil is created using only two ingredients, making it a simple recipe to put together. The ingredients can be doubled and prepared the same way if you anticipate needing a larger amount. Hint: It also makes a nice gift and is the perfect something special to take along to a dinner party (just remember a loaf of fresh bread!).

  • Basil: Start with 2 cups of fresh basil. Two cups creates a flavor that goes a long way and cooks down to help us reach the perfect oil to basil ratio.
  • Olive Oil: As for the oil, 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil will do the trick. Be sure to aim for high quality oil here, as the flavors will be shining through!

Ingredient tip

Fresh basil can go bad rather quickly, so it’s important to check for signs of perishing before using. If you notice discoloration (like black edges), wilting, or an odor, use fresher leaves

A handled glass jar filled with basil oil

How to make Basil herb oil

Preparing this oil is a 15 minute process that’s very easy to put together. During the cooking process the basil will wilt down much like how spinach “shrinks,” so don’t be alarmed! It’s a sign that your recipe is coming together perfectly.

Step 1: Prep the ice bath.
Begin by preparing a bowl of ice water.

Step 2: Blanch the basil
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the basil leaves in a colander, and then dunk the colander into the boiling water, using a spoon to ensure all of the basil leaves go under the water. Blanch for about 15 seconds, or until the leaves become bright green and wilted.

A strainer filled with uncooked basil leaves
A strainer filled with basil leaves being placed inside a pot

Step 3: Use the ice bath
Immediately transfer the basil leaves to the ice water to stop the cooking process.

A strainer filled with cooked basil leaves

Step 4: Blend the basil and oil
Strain the basil from the water and pat it dry. Add it to a blender along with the oil, and blend together until smooth.

A blender filled with olive oil and cooked basil leaves
A blender filled with freshly mixed basil oil

Step 5: Strain
Strain the pureed mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the basil solids, leaving you with a smooth basil oil!

Pouring prepared herb oil through a sieve allowing the oil to fill a jar

How do you use basil oil?

As mentioned above, basil oil is much like other herb-infused oils in that it can be used with a wide variety of dishes. Like parsley oil, I love to use it as a vegetarian salad dressing to add a hint of an herby flavor, especially when enjoying a Mediterranean salad! A simple combination of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black beans, and feta topped with an oil drizzle creates the ultimate refreshing salad.

This basil oil is also great atop caprese dishes like you see here, and it’s equally yummy when used as a dip for your favorite bread. If you want to add a bit more flavor, enhance it with a pinch of sea salt!

A handled glass jar filled with herb oil

Basil oil benefits

This herb oil is great for more than just its flavor. Both basil and olive oil are tremendously beneficial on their own, so it’s no surprise that together, they’re an antioxidant powerhouse.

Basil contains four types of antioxidants on its own, all of which work to rid the body of free radicals and help support your body against common ailments. It’s also great for mental health, inflammation, and blood sugar!

Extra virgin olive oil is full of antioxidants as well and is beneficial for many of the same reasons. The ingredient is anti-inflammatory, benefits bone and heart health, and it even helps to protect against arthritis.

A shallow white dish filled with herb oil with a few slices of bread resting on the edges of the dish

Recipes to enjoy with basil oil

For meals that you can pair with basil oil, try one of these! Each dish features ingredients that are made even more delicious when paired with the subtle but noticeable flavors of the oil.

  • For a dish loaded up with quinoa and greens, enjoy the oil drizzled on top of this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad.
  • Nothing pairs better with oil than a nice, thick bread! Try it with this Vegan Garlic Bread for all of the flavor.
  • Basil oil makes a great addition to this Fresh Tomato Soup. Just drizzle a bit on top before serving.
  • Last but not least, enhance the flavor of this Lemon Basil Risotto with a little drizzle! Yum yum yum.
A plate of tomato and mozzarella slices garnished with basil and basil oil

How to Make Basil Oil

No ratings yet
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories: 109kcal
Servings: 16 Tbsp
Print Rate
This Basil Oil recipe is so good you'll want to drink it. It's an herb oil that's a perfect addition to soup, salad, or crusty bread!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil 30 g
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 236 mL

Instructions 

  • Prep Ice Bath: Prepare a bowl of ice water.
  • Blanch: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place basil leaves in a colander, then dunk the colander into the boiling water, using a spoon to ensure all basil leaves go under the water. Blanch for about 15 seconds, or until bright green and wilted.
  • Ice Bath: Immediately transfer basil leaves to the ice water to stop the cooking process.
  • Blend: Strain basil from water, patting dry. Add to a blender along with oil, blending until smooth.
  • Strain: Strain the pureed mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the basil solids, leaving you with a smooth basil oil!

Tips & Tricks

Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Flavors are most intense when brought back to room temperature before serving.
Serve as a dressing in salads, to add fresh basil flavor to caprese, or as a bread dip!
Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1Tbsp Calories: 109kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 0.1g Protein: 0.1g Fat: 12.6g (19%) Saturated Fat: 1.8g (11%) Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 0mg Potassium: 9mg Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 0g Calcium: 5mg (1%)
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Pin on Pinterest

You may also like...

  • Olive Oil 101
  • Olive Oil Bread Dip
  • Basil 101
  • Fresh tomato soup in a bowl with homemade croutons and roma tomatoes
    Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




  1. SALIM HAMED ALDHAHRI says

    Posted on 9/11 at 4:29 am

    Very informative and exciting. I’ll give it a try. Thank you for making my day

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Plate full of crispy chickpeas with a wooden spoon.

15 Minute Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Personal size mozzarella pizza cooked in an air fryer

Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Brussels sprouts on a plate with wooden serving spoons.

The Best 15 Minute Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Kale chips on a white plate.

10 Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital
275 shares