This easy homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe is sweet, tangy, super flavorful and ready to be used as a salad dressing in 5 minutes. It’s our favorite and simply the best!
Love homemade salad dressings? Try this Olive Garden salad dressing or Greek salad dressing recipe, too!
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Best Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Balsamic salad dressing recipe is a classic. It has the best combination of flavors, adds the perfect touch to salads and the simple recipe allows for customization by adding herbs or seasoning to adjust to personal preference!
This balsamic vinaigrette recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes or less. The flavor is slightly sweet from honey with a little bit of tang from balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard. We love serving it with a big chopped salad, steak salad or drizzled over a caprese salad.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Balsamic vinegar: A bit more sweet than other vinegars, made from unfermented grape juice. Also has notes of tangy and sour flavors.
- Olive oil: Used to emulsify the dressing, as well as balance out the tangy flavor from the vinegar. A high quality extra virgin olive oil will make a difference in the overall taste.
- Honey: Adds a sweet flavor and thick texture.
- Dijon mustard: Savory, tangy and spicy. Also used as an emulsifier to help keep the oil and vinegar together.
- Garlic: Using freshly minced garlic will add the boldest flavor.
- Salt and pepper: A sprinkle of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper helps round out the flavors in this balsamic vinaigrette.
Variations
For a balsamic dressing that’s more thick and creamy, feel free to add in a few spoonful’s of mayo or Greek yogurt. You can also substitute maple syrup for honey to make vegan or use regular mustard in place of Dijon if preferred.
How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Ready in just 5 minutes, this homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe couldn’t be more simple to make and knocks store-bought dressing out of the park!
- Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl or mason jar.
- Whisk until the dressing is well combined. Then cover with lid and store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Shake the dressing just before serving, then drizzle over your favorite salad.
Expert Tips
- Balsamic vinaigrette ratio. I like to use a ratio of 1/4 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup oil. Feel free to play around with the ratio to your taste. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add in a bit more vinegar.
- Quality ingredients. This is the time to whip out the high quality olive oil and vinegar to really enhance the flavor of the vinaigrette. Look for aged vinegar (at least 12 years) and a European olive oil if you can find it.
- Separation. Oil has a tendency to separate from the vinegar once stored. Giving it a big shake before using again will do the trick! If the oil has a solid consistency from chilling in the fridge, you can run the jar under warm water to quickly liquify again.
Ways to Use Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
This homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe isn’t just for salads! Use it on veggies, wraps or as a marinade for your favorite meats and seafood. Get creative with it!
- Salads: Tossed with a Mediterranean salad, spinach berry salad or caprese pasta salad.
- Veggies: Drizzled over oven roasted vegetables or grilled vegetables. Balsamic roasted carrots are another favorite!
- Marinade: Use to marinate your meat or seafood for an extra tender and flavorful result. Grilled chicken, steak kabobs and balsamic glazed salmon are all delicious ideas!
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Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- ½ Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt , more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper , more to taste
Instructions
- Combine. Combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 Tablespoons honey, 1/2 Tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a mason jar. Whisk or shake until well combined.
- Store. Store with a lid in the refrigerator. Shake just before serving. Enjoy over your favorite salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
I love to keep the balsamic dressing in a mason jar in the fridge. It will keep for up to 2 weeks. Before each use, just give it a big shake since the oil and vinegar will likely separate.
No. Balsamic vinegar is plain vinegar made from grape must, while balsamic dressing combines the vinegar with oil and a few other simple ingredients to add flavor and sweetness.
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Dressings, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Nut-Free, Vegetarian, Whole 30
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Fantastic! We only used 1 T of the honey and it was perfect for us.
Delicious & so easy to make. Will never buy salad dressing again!
Yay, love to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review, Karen :)
This looks so tasty for a nice fresh summer salad! YUM YUM YUM!
Yum! I can’t wait to make this dressing! It looks so delicious!