Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

Published: by Justin Coit

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You won’t believe that this easy Balsamic Vinaigrette only needs seven simple ingredients to make. This classic homemade dressing is tangy, delicious, and a staple in my kitchen. It takes next to no time to whip this together with pantry staples.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (1)

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Ditch the store-bought bottled dressing and make a batch of this homemade balsamic vinaigrette instead the next time you need a salad dressing. It’s bright, tangy, and zingy and not just for salads! Drizzle this balsamic dressing over grilled meats, grilled vegetables, pasta salads, and more.

You can easily scale this recipe up or down to fit your needs, and you’ll never have a collection of half-used, almost expired bottles of dressing taking up room in your fridge again!

Key Ingredients You Need

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2)
  • Olive oil — Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil as this is the base of the balsamic vinegar dressing. Extra virgin olive oil that is first cold-pressed has flavor and texture differences with more nutrition than low-quality olive oil pressed multiple times.
  • Balsamic vinegar — Again, I suggest using high-quality balsamic vinegar. A little goes a long way, so you want to avoid the cheaper giant bottles. Those large bottles tend to be more bitter or acidic.
  • Dijon mustard — Not only does Dijon mustard add to the tangy flavor of the dressing, it also helps with the emulsion process of the dressing.

How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (3)

Step 1: To a bowl, add the olive oil.

Step 2: To the same bowl, add freshly minced garlic.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (4)

Step 3: Add balsamic vinegar to the bowl.

Step 4: Add Dijon mustard to the bowl.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (5)

Step 5: Finish off with honey, salt, and pepper.

Step 6: Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (6)

Tips For This Recipe

  • If you do not have olive oil, I recommend using another light-tasting oil such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil in its place.
  • Use a larger bowl than you feel is necessary. You want to be able to whisk everything together quickly and vigorously, so the olive oil and balsamic vinegar will emulsify together. You’ll end up with some spillage if you use a small bowl.
  • If you want extra added flavor to this, you can add some dried or fresh herbs.
  • For a smoother consistency, you can add the ingredients to a blender to blitz the garlic up.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (7)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this last?

You can store homemade balsamic vinaigrette in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. The olive oil may start to solidify when in the refrigerator, but not to worry, it’ll turn back into liquid once the dressing is back to room temperature. Shake the dressing or whisk it again before using.

Can this be frozen?

While the dressing can technically be frozen, I would advise against it. The balsamic dressing will not thaw well, and the ingredients will separate. Once separated, it’ll be difficult to get the ingredients back together after being frozen. Luckily, this recipe only takes a couple of minutes to whip together that you can make it in a pinch.

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If you’ve tried this recipe, then don’t forget to leave me a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (13)

Print Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

You won’t believe that this easy Balsamic Vinaigrette only needs seven simple ingredients to make. This classic homemade dressing is tangy, delicious, and a staple in my kitchen. It takes next to no time to whip this together with pantry staples.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 268kcal

Author: Justin Coit

Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Store in a jar or airtight container in refrigerator.

Video

Notes

  • If you do not have olive oil, I recommend using another light-tasting oil such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil in its place.
  • Use a larger bowl than you feel is necessary. You want to be able to whisk everything together quickly and vigorously, so the olive oil and balsamic vinegar will emulsify together. You’ll end up with some spillage if you use a small bowl.
  • If you want extra added flavor to this, you can add some dried or fresh herbs.
  • For a smoother consistency, you can add the ingredients to a blender to blitz the garlic up.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Sodium: 323mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

*Nutrition Disclaimer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (14)Joseph says

    Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (15)
    Nice flavour, but my dressing came out very thick and pasty. Any ideas as to why?

    Reply

    • Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (16)Justin Coit says

      Hi- That's interesting, usually it is quite loose and easy to drizzle. Did you make any substitutions to the ingredients? Thanks

      Reply

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Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is balsamic vinaigrette dressing made of? ›

At its most basic, balsamic vinaigrette is made of oil and balsamic vinegar. The oil is usually olive oil, and there is usually an emulsifying ingredient such as mustard. Herbs and spices, salt and pepper, and a sweetener such as honey may also be added.

How to make balsamic vinegar from scratch? ›

The classic balsamic fermentation: the grapes are fermented, after a few days the juice is pressed and thickened to a certain sugar content. Then a short alcoholic fermentation takes place, followed by fermentation to vinegar. Particularly important is the subsequent storage in different wooden barrels over many years.

Is balsamic vinaigrette the healthiest dressing? ›

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Martin says, "It's got a hint of sweetness with little to no added sugar and is packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats." Plus, the lack of sugar can be good for those looking to lose weight in particular, as well as for those on low-sugar and low-carb diet plans.

What's the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

What type of balsamic vinegar is best for salad dressing? ›

Colavita Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

This bargain find is readily available in most stores and is great for adding a touch of acidity to a hearty tomato sandwich or a veggie-packed salad.

Why is balsamic vinaigrette so good? ›

Balsamic vinegar – It fills the dressing with bold, sweet, and tangy flavor. Extra-virgin olive oil – It gives the dressing body and richness. Dijon mustard – For extra tang. Honey or maple syrup – It mellows the acidity of the mustard and balsamic.

What is the most unhealthy salad dressing? ›

Depending on the ingredients, some dressings tend to be less healthy than others.
  1. Caesar. And at the top of that list? Caesar dressing. ...
  2. Thousand Island. Next in line is Thousand Island. ...
  3. Blue cheese. The delicious crumbles that make blue cheese dressing a fan favorite can also make it dangerous for a balanced diet.
Oct 27, 2023

Is balsamic vinegar good or bad for gut health? ›

Improves digestion and gut health

The enzymes in balsamic vinegar help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, making this an excellent addition to any diet plan. Protein – Balsamic vinegar helps with protein digestion by breaking down the amino acids and making them more absorbable by your body.

Is balsamic dressing anti inflammatory? ›

Last but not least, consuming balsamic vinegar can have an anti-inflammatory effect as well. Long-term, high levels of inflammation can be extremely detrimental to your health, and research shows inflammation plays a role in whether you develop chronic conditions, diseases, and even cancer.

Is balsamic vinaigrette good for high blood pressure? ›

Heart health and blood pressure

Balsamic vinegar can reduce the concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the body; these have been linked to heart attacks and stroke. Also, due to its low saturated fat content, balsamic vinegar is believed to enhance heart health and reduce high blood pressure.

Does balsamic vinegar go bad? ›

We can say that aged balsamic vinegar has an indefinite shelf life. However, it would be convenient to use the product once opened, within two to three years, and the one that has yet to be opened, within five years. After that time, its color may change, and the flavor will no longer be as bright and fresh as before.

Why do Italians use balsamic vinegar? ›

You may also be surprised to learn that, despite its sweetness, balsamic vinegar is still acidic. As such, it's excellent at breaking down proteins in meat: that's why it's often used as a meat tenderizer. If you're not already adding balsamic vinegar from Italy to your dishes, it's time you started!

What is the main ingredient of balsamic vinegar? ›

Balsamic vinegar (Italian: aceto balsamico) is a dark, concentrated, intensely flavoured vinegar originating in Modena, Italy, made wholly or partially from grape must: freshly crushed grape juice with all the skins, seeds and stems.

What is the healthiest salad dressing? ›

The Top 11 Healthy Salad Dressing Brands
  • The Healthiest Dressing Overall: Annie's Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette.
  • Best Low-Calorie: Bragg Organic Oil-Free Vinaigrette.
  • Best Low-Fat: Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dressing.
  • Best Low-Sodium: Organicville No Added Salt Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade.
Oct 13, 2023

What is balsamic vinegar sauce made of? ›

Balsamic glaze is also called a “balsamic reduction.” It is essentially a reduction of balsamic vinegar. Additional sweeteners like honey or sugar can be added. The balsamic vinegar is simmered in a saucepan until it has reduced down and thickened to a maple-syrup consistency.

What is healthy about balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Acetic acid is the active compound in balsamic vinegar. This acid contains strains of probiotics that aid digestion. The probiotics found in acetic acid can help promote good gut health and digestion while supporting overall immune function.

References

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