If you’ve ever wondered how restaurants get those beautiful emerald-green drizzles over pasta, pizza, or burrata, the answer is Basil oil (aka Summer in a Bottle). Today, I’m sharing my simple, recipe for Homemade Basil Oil so you can bring that restaurant-worthy finishing touch to your own kitchen.
This basil oil is one of those wonderfully fancy finishing touches that instantly elevates a dish – and secretly couldn’t be any simpler. It’s a small yet intentional detail that makes people think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, when really, all it takes is a handful of fresh basil and a blender.
A drizzle of this oil and suddenly your dishes are looking awfully photogenic and ready for a close-up. Hello, Food Network!
Much like my Homemade Basil Salt, this basil oil is all about preserving the best of summer. Fresh basil is one of my favourite herbs to grow, and when it’s thriving in the garden, I can’t help but find new ways to enjoy every last leaf.
This bright green basil oil is fresh, fragrant, and beautifully versatile. Drizzle it over pizza or pasta (like this Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi… mmmm), swirl it into soup, finish a salad (like this one), or spoon it over grilled vegetables and fish. It instantly makes everything look (and taste) just a little more special.
Restaurant-worthy… without the restaurant bill. We LOVE that.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Homemade Basil Oil
There’s something so special and satisfying about making little pantry staples from scratch. This oil captures the fresh flavour of basil in its purest form while adding the most beautiful emerald-green finish to your favourite dishes.
How to Blanch Basil
Blanching basil means briefly dipping the leaves in boiling water, then plunging them into ice water to stop the cooking, which helps preserve that bright green colour and fresh flavour.
The quick blanching step is the secret to that vibrant colour you see in restaurants. It locks in the basil’s bright green hue while mellowing any bitterness, leaving you with a silky, herbaceous oil that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Blanching basil works because the quick heat deactivates enzymes that cause browning and flavour loss, while the ice bath stops the cooking so the leaves stay bright, fresh, and green.
What You’ll Need to Make This Basil Oil
You only need a handful of ingredients:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grapeseed, avocado, or a light olive oil
Any neutral oil will work, but for the brightest green colouring with a stellar nutrition profile, I recommend using avocado oil. The neutral flavour lets the basil shine while keeping that gorgeous emerald colour front and centre.
How to Prepare The Basil
If you’ve been following along with this basil series, you already know how much I love growing basil (check out my homemade Basil Salt recipe if you haven’t yet – you won’t want to miss it!). It’s one of the most generous herbs in the garden. Keep harvesting it throughout the summer and it keeps on giving. A sunny window sill is all you need for this little herb to grow and thrive.
For this recipe, choose fresh, vibrant basil leaves without any dark spots. Give them a gentle rinse before blanching them briefly to preserve the colour. It’s worth the extra minute, trust me!
Basil Oil
Basil Oil is beautiful for finishing dishes such as a summer pasta, pizza, or a tomato mozzarella salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
- 1 cup oil grapeseed or avocado oil for the brightest green, or a light olive oil
Instructions
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Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath.
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Blanch (immerse) the basil in the boiling water for about 10 seconds, then transfer immediately to the ice bath.
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Remove the basil and squeeze it dry using a paper towel.
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Blend the basil with the oil for about 2 minutes until completely smooth.
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Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
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Store the basil oil in a clean bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Where to use Basil Oil
This is a finishing oil, so think of it as the final flourish just before serving.
Some of my favourite ways to use homemade basil oil include:
- Finished over homemade pizza
- Drizzled over Smoked Salmon Crostinis or Bruschetta
- Swirled into this Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Soup
- Over grilled fish or roasted chicken and roasted veggies
- Tossed with warm pasta and Parmesan (hello, Lemon Linguine)
- Drizzled over a burrata salad or caprese salad (this Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad is the perfect candidate)
- Added to sandwiches or wraps for a burst of fresh basil flavour – or drizzled over warm buttered sourdough (don’t underestimate the simple things!)
Sometimes all a meal needs is a beautiful finishing touch. A drizzle of this vibrant basil oil brings colour, flavour, and a little restaurant-worthy magic.
For the Hostess with the Mostest
It can be surprisingly hard to find a thoughtful gift that feels both beautiful and useful for the hostess in your life, but no worries, I’ve got you.
Pour your basil oil into a beautiful glass bottle, add a handwritten tag, and tuck it into a gift basket alongside Homemade Basil Salt, a ball of fresh burrata, ripe summer tomatoes, and a crusty loaf of sourdough. It’s elegant, thoughtful, and looks like something you’d stumble upon at a little market in the south of France.
I promise you, this is a gift they’ll remember – because it’s one they’ll actually use!
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