Balsamic Vinaigrette
A drizzle of this homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch for just about any salad, sweet or savory. It’s light and full of flavor with just a hint of sweetness! This dressing recipe is quick and easy to make with just 6 common ingredients. Keep a jar of this in your fridge and you’ll be craving fresh, tasty salads every day.
A classic Balsamic Vinaigrette is amazing on a variety of different salads and vegetables, from kale to roasted broccoli, and pairs especially well with my go-to spinach salad. You probably already know about my obsession with salads. I usually have one every day… sometimes two a day. I buy those big 1 pound containers of organic spring mix salad at Costco and love creating new and different salad recipes. My current favorite is made with chicken, spinach, blueberries, apple slices, red onion, feta cheese, pecans and this easy balsamic vinaigrette. So, so good! I cannot stop with this salad combo!
Why you should make this recipe
- So tasty. Not too many things beat a good, homemade salad dressing and I love experimenting and sharing our favorites here. This balsamic vinaigrette recipe definitely checks off the box for a tasty dressing and I’m excited for you to give it a try!
- Versatile. The flavor of balsamic dressing goes so well with my everyday spinach salad. But it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed with tons of other salads too. All you need is a handful of mixed greens or spinach, some sliced almonds or chopped pecans, and this balsamic salad dressing and you have a wonderful side dish.
- Quick & easy. It’s stirred together and ready to serve in less than 10 minutes! It also uses ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients needed
For the best balsamic vinaigrette, I highly recommend using high-quality ingredients. This easy dressing recipe has just 6 simple ingredients, but is packed with delicious flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Extra virgin olive oil. This is going to be the base of the dressing and I would suggest using a high-quality light olive oil. Avocado oil will work too. This olive oil is my favorite and I also really like this more budget-friendly olive oil as well.
- Balsamic vinegar. For this recipe, I used a dark balsamic vinegar. You can also make this vinaigrette with white vinegar for a white balsamic vinaigrette. The flavor of white balsamic is slightly sweeter than dark. This dark balsamic vinegar is my favorite and I also like the more inexpensive balsamic vinegar of Modena from Trader Joe’s.
- Maple syrup. A small amount of maple syrup gives this vinaigrette a hint of sweetness. You can sub with the same amount of honey or sugar.
- Dijon mustard. Adds just a bit of zippy flavor to the dressing and binds to the oil and vinegar to keep the vinaigrette emulsified (mixed), so the oil and vinegar don’t separate.
- Italian seasoning. For a boost of flavor! You can sub with dried thyme, dried oregano or another dried herb, if preferred.
- Salt. To bring out all of the flavors.
How to make this recipe
Vinaigrettes and salad dressings could not be easier to make at home. There’s simply no need for store-bought salad dressings when you have one as tasty as this! In my opinion, homemade dressings are the way to go because they always taste so much fresher, plus you get complete control over the ingredients. Here’s the simple process for how to make it:
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.
- Mix together ingredients. I like to combine everything in a glass jar with a lid. Simply, add all of the ingredients into a mason or other type of jar, screw on the lid tightly and shake vigorously. Alternatively, you can whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
- Taste. Taste and add any additional ingredients, like more maple syrup or more salt, as needed.
- Store. All done! Allow the flavors to blend at room temperature while preparing the salad. Or store this in the refrigerator for later use.
Variations and tips
- This vinaigrette works great as a marinade. Add the dressing to a large resealable bag or large dish with about 1 pound of chicken. Refrigerate and let chicken marinate for at least 1 hour before cooking the chicken.
- Salad dressing recipes can easily be adjusted to personal preference, so taste the vinaigrette and adapt as needed. You may want to add a bit more maple syrup if you like things sweeter or a little more vinegar for more tang.
- Add a bit of extra freshness by stirring in 1 tablespoon minced shallot or 1 minced garlic clove. You could even add some chopped fresh herbs, like basil.
- To make this cream-based rather than oil-based, simply replace half of the olive oil (1/4 cup) with 1/4 cup mayo or Greek yogurt or a combination of the two.
Frequently asked questions
Balsamic vinaigrette is simply a vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar. It typically contains ingredients like vinegar, sugar and oil. It can also involve seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
The ingredients in balsamic vinaigrette are mostly light and low in calories and fat. The base of the dressing, balsamic vinegar, contains beneficial antioxidants, no fat, and very few calories. (You can read more about the health benefits here.) It packs a lot of flavor into a small amount, so it goes a long way on salads. See all of the nutrition facts for this recipe in the recipe card.
Balsamic vinegar is the base in balsamic vinaigrette. Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. It is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. The 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 is also great as a marinade.
Storage recommendation
Homemade vinaigrettes and dressings can last up to about 3 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can use a leftover salad dressing bottle or mason jar for storage. I love these mason jar lids with a pouring spout!
Before each use, give the vinaigrette a good shake to blend the ingredients.
More homemade dressing recipes
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup* (or 1-2 tablespoons if you want it less sweet)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard or regular mustard works
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning**
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- optional add-ins: 1 tablespoon minced fresh shallots or 1 minced garlic clove
Instructions
- Whisk together the oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, Italian seasoning, salt and optional add-ins (if using) in a small bowl until evenly combined. Or vigorously shake the ingredients together in a mason jar or dressing bottle until evenly combined.
- Taste and adjust, as preferred.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to about 3 weeks.
Notes
**Can sub with dried thyme or oregano. For creamy balsamic vinaigrette: Replace half of the olive oil (1/4 cup) with 1/4 cup mayo or Greek yogurt or a combination of the two. For marinade: Add the vinaigrette to a large resealable bag or large dish with about 1 pound of chicken. Refrigerate and let chicken marinate for at least 1 hour before cooking.
Did you make this recipe?
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My favorite dressing. It’s become a staple in our household. I use 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, dijon mustard, and add in 1 clove of fresh crushed garlic. Delicious!
So happy you love it! Thanks so much for your feedback!
it was tasty but a little too sweet for me. I cut back on the honey.
it was tasty but a little to sweet. I cut back on the honey.