Balsamic Vinaigrette
Updated June 03, 2019
Balsamic vinaigrette is my favorite salad dressing and it’s so easy to make at home, you only need 5 ingredients. Great for drizzling over your favorite green salad, pasta salad, grilled vegetables, chicken and more!
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Salad dressing is SO easy to make at home and today I am sharing my all-time favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe. I have been making this simple salad dressing for years. It is a family favorite and anytime friends come over and try my balsamic vinaigrette, they ask for the recipe. They are always shocked at how simple it is to make, you only need 5 ingredients!
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients
Homemade balsamic vinaigrette is SO much better than store bought dressing and is made with ingredients we always have in our kitchen.
- Balsamic Vinegar-Balsamic vinegar is a dark, concentrated vinegar, from Italy, that has a very strong, intense flavor. It is made from grape must, which is freshly crushed grape juice that uses all of the skins, seeds and stems. Balsamic is the star of the dressing so make sure you use a high quality balsamic vinegar. Not all balsamic vinegars are created equal. Look for aged balsamic, which will have deep fruity notes and woody flavors from the barrel-aging process. The vinegar will also be thicker. The cheaper varieties are more acidic and can be bitter and will affect the overall flavor of the dressing. You don’t have to spend $300 on a bottle, yes, some balsamic vinegars cost that much, but just don’t buy the very cheapest at the store. Splurge a little and your dressing will thank you!
- Olive oil-Just like the balsamic vinegar, use a high quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Dijon mustard-The mustard is the trick to getting the dressing to emulsify, plus it adds great flavor!
- Honey-Add a little honey to sweeten the dressing. If you need the dressing to be vegan, you can use pure maple syrup or agave.
- Garlic-Fresh minced garlic is a must for flavor!
- Salt and Black Pepper-always season with salt and pepper to finish the vinaigrette.
How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and black pepper. The dressing will thicken as you whisk. You can also place all of the ingredients into a jar with a lid and shake vigorously. Just make sure the lid is on tight or you will have a mess. If you need more dressing, you can easily double this recipe.
How Long Does Balsamic Vinaigrette Last?
You can store homemade balsamic vinaigrette in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The vinaigrette will thicken a little, but that is ok. Before using, whisk well or shake if in a jar.
Ways to Use Balsamic Vinaigrette
You can use this easy balsamic vinaigrette to dress almost any green salad. You can also use it on grilled or roasted vegetables, pasta salads, quinoa salads, couscous, chicken, fresh garden tomatoes, and more! I always have a jar in the fridge!
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Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey, or more to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Store in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Yum! I love using store-bought vinaigrette for marinating chicken. I bet this would be even better, and I just so happen to have all the ingredients…
Really this is the easiest dressing ever and I had all ingredients in cupboard or fridge. To top it all of it is delicious. I can see me making this for many many years to come.
Delicious with a rucola salad.
I used a little extra balsamic (I like it sweet) and threw in a small sprinkle of mixed herbs.
Excellent!
Thanks for your recipe. I’m making it for someone who can’t eat mustard, or chili, and wonder if there is something l could use instead.
Excellent combination of flavors made from on hand ingredients! Definitely a go-to recipe. Thanks!
Easy to make and yummy.
I used an aged balsamic that is already kinda sweet so left out the honey and it’s still good!
I’d try again with some herbs
I make this one a lot. Even if I forget the garlic it’s super yummy.
Awesome. I used a very good quality Balsamic vinegar. Had no honey used Maple syrup. It took a little more syrup as it was a little vinegary
This is the best balsamic vinaigrette- we make it almost every week- especially now with all the fresh greens at the Farmer’s Market.
It goes with everything~
This is a Hall of Fame recipe!
It’s my favorite too!
Do you think candied pecans would work with this salad?
Thank you.
Yes!
This is my to go to recipe for a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I love the taste. So well balanced!
It’s the best! Glad you love it too.
looks yummy! Do you think plain mustard would work, haven’t any Dijon in the house just now. Also, I’m going to use frozen garlic cubes, again out of fresh garlic. Frankly, I’m a ‘if you haven’t got use an this type’ of cook. Usually works 🙂
Plain yellow mustard has a different flavor, you can leave the mustard out. The garlic should be fine.
This dressing was excellent and so easy!
Yay! Thanks for reporting back!
I’ve made this recipe many times this year. I absolutely love it and so do my family and friends. So many people have asked me for the recipe, I had to leave this review. Thanks so much!
You are very welcome! Thank you for leaving a review.