Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

EVERYONE needs to have a balsamic vinaigrette recipe in their wheelhouse. This is, without a doubt, my most used salad dressing recipe. Mostly because it’s so darn easy and so darn tasty (and can go on nearly everything).

Why should I make homemade dressing?

Because it’s super simple, it’ll save you money, and it allows you to have total control over the ingredients in your dressing! With just a few minutes of your time and a handful of ingredients, you have what it takes to take your salads up a notch.

Trust me; you’ll be able to taste the difference. For more salad dressing recipes, check out my Salad Dressing 101 post. It’s loaded with helpful tips and delicious dressings that’ll fit any flavoring need!

What is balsamic vinaigrette dressing made of?

There are only a few pantry ingredients in this recipe for balsamic vinaigrette.

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Salt, black pepper, and a clove of garlic

How do you make balsamic dressing?

This dressing is very thin, and it doesn’t require much effort to mix, so all you really need to make it is a mason jar with a good lid. Add your ingredients, shake until they’re combined, and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it. It is that simple! You can use a blender or food processor if you want, but it’s definitely not necessary.

How do I store my balsamic vinaigrette?

You can use the same mason jar you mixed your ingredients in to store your dressing. Fewer dishes and less fuss to worry about. If you prefer to use a different container, make sure it’s airtight and store the dressing in the refrigerator between uses.

How long will my balsamic vinaigrette last?

This dressing has a vinegar and oil base, so it’s safe to keep in the fridge for a few weeks. This recipe only makes a cup of dressing, so as long as it’s in an airtight container, you should have no problem gobbling it up before it loses its freshness.

Can I use dried herbs in place of fresh ones?

Absolutely! You can substitute a teaspoon of garlic powder for the fresh garlic clove in this recipe. It’s important to note if you choose to use dried herbs, your dressing should sit for a couple of hours before using. This way, the flavors get a chance to mix together. Fresh herbs only need to sit for half an hour for their flavors to meld.

How do I use this balsamic vinaigrette?

Oh my goodness, the question really should be, what doesn’t this dressing pair well with? Everyone should have a balsamic dressing recipe because it works well with everything! I love it on salads, and it’s excellent paired with fruit (seriously, try it on watermelon or strawberries). You can drizzle it on your tomatoes or other veggies, or it can be used as a quick marinade for all kinds of meat.

Want a simple spinach salad that’ll knock your socks off? Combine diced pears with blue cheese or goat cheese, spinach, and walnuts. Then add a little bit of cinnamon to this balsamic vinaigrette and drizzle it on top of your fruit salad. You’re left with a sweet little bowl of yum!

Is this balsamic vinaigrette vegan? Is it gluten-free?

Yes, this dressing is already 100% gluten-free, and it can be made vegan with a simple substitution. Honey is considered okay by some vegans, but others believe it’s off-limits. If you want to avoid honey, you can sub it out for another liquid sweetener in a 1:1 ratio. Both maple syrup and agave syrup work well as substitutes in this recipe.

Looking for more homemade salad dressings?

We have a whole collection of salad dressing recipes, including:

• Chili Lime Vinaigrette
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
• Lemon Vinaigrette
• Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
• Honey Mustard Dressing
• Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing