Balsamic Dressing Recipe

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If you're looking for the perfect balsamic dressing recipe, you've found it! I'll show you How to Make Balsamic Dressing by combining five simple ingredients, including balsamic vinegar and honey, for a savory-sweet dressing you will love. Perfect over salads, bruschetta, tomato mozzarella salad, and more!

pouring balsamic vinaigrette over a salad

Jump to:

Balsamic Dressing Ingredients
How to Make Balsamic Dressing
Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Tips
Does balsamic vinegar go bad?
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ratio
How to Store Balsamic Dressing
Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Variations
FAQ
What to Serve with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic Dressing Recipe
Reviews

Balsamic Dressing Ingredients

Balsamic Vinegar: The most important element of this dressing is the balsamic vinegar! It is an intensely flavorful vinegar and very versatile. Make sure to buy balsamic vinegar, and not a premade vinaigrette.
Honey: This is a great sweetener as a complement to the tangy-sweet flavors of balsamic vinegar. I love to use local honey as much as possible. You can also use maple syrup.
Salt: I use Maldon sea salt flakes for everything, but feel free to use table salt or kosher salt, too.
Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper is the best.
Olive Oil: This is what gives the dressing its consistency. It fills it out and adds richness to the overall taste. You can use other oils, like avocado oil, but olive oil truly is the best for the flavor of a vinaigrette.

ingredients to make balsamic dressing with labels

How to Make Balsamic Dressing

Add honey, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a bowl. (See tips below.)
Use a fork or whisk to stir the dressing well until fully combined.
Use immediately over your favorite salads, or store in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Tips

Store leftover balsamic vinaigrette dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a lid, such as a jar.
Please give it a good stir or shake to mix before serving again.
Extra virgin olive oil is best for homemade salad dressings, as it is the most flavorful. If you don't want to use olive oil, use avocado oil instead.
It isn't necessary to gradually add olive oil to create a tasty dressing, but if you prefer, pouring the oil in slowly as you mix the ingredients helps create a thicker emulsion. Consider slowly pouring the oil into the bowl as you mix the honey, vinegar, and seasonings.

Does balsamic vinegar go bad?

Store unopened bottles of balsamic vinegar in a cool, dry place such as your pantry, and it can last for years. Once opened, keep balsamic vinegar in your refrigerator. Balsamic vinegar lasts for a very long time, especially in the refrigerator, but be sure to check your bottle for an expiration date.

Important Note: This is for the balsamic vinegar itself - not my dressing recipe! For tips on storing the dressing itself, keep scrolling.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Ratio

The proper ratio for vinaigrette depends on your personal tastes. For this recipe, I advise using a 2:3 ratio of vinegar to olive oil. With the added honey, this creates a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. If you prefer a less tangy dressing, try 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil.

How to Store Balsamic Dressing

Store homemade vinaigrette dressing in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep it in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Label the container with the current date. Use within two weeks for the best flavor.
Shake before use to mix ingredients that may have separated.

balsamic vinaigrette in an open jar with a spoon

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Variations

Add garlic: If you love the flavor of fresh garlic, add a minced garlic clove to the dressing.
Add Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds a tangy, slightly spicy flavor to the dressing.
Use maple syrup: You don't have to use honey as the sweetener. You can use maple syrup as an alternative and play with the flavors.

The best part about learning how to make balsamic vinaigrette at home is that you can customize it so much more than a store-bought salad dressing!

FAQ

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

Balsamic vinegar is the base ingredient to any balsamic dressing, while a a "vinaigrette" refers to any dressing combining olive oil, wine vinegar, and seasoning. Balsamic vinaigrette dressing is a mixture of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and other ingredients to create a thickened dressing for pouring over salads, fish, chicken, vegetables, and more.

What's the difference between cheap and expensive balsamic vinegar?

Higher quality balsamic vinegar has been aged longer, and as a result is thicker and sweeter than a lower quality. Additionally, high quality balsamic vinegar uses grape must, while a cheaper variety will combine wine vinegar and other flavorings. However, for balsamic vinaigrette, I recommend using a less expensive variety. You do not need to dish out to make a great dressing!

What to Serve with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Peach Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
Strawberry Chicken Salad
Sliced tomatoes and mozzarella in a caprese salad - or use my Homemade Balsamic Glaze!
Over bruschetta with fresh diced tomatoes and garlic
Drizzled over a pear spinach salad with goat cheese and pickled red onions

Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have long been a fan of balsamic salad dressings! Even growing up, they have always been my favorite. There are so many ways to make homemade balsamic vinaigrette that you can't go wrong with pairing it with just about anything!

This balsamic vinaigrette dressing recipe is one of the best I have ever made. It's simple, but perfectly balanced for a sweet-and-savory flavor combination that just works. Drizzle it over everything from crispy grilled chicken to sous vide salmon or even roast vegetables!

Try it, and I'm sure you'll find it much better than any store-bought balsamic dressing you can find. You'll want to keep this easy balsamic vinaigrette handy in your fridge to put over everything. Trust me!