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    Home » Real Food » DIY/Condiments/Sauces » Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

    By Kristen Chidsey | 12 Comments | Published March 28, 2022 | Updated March 28, 2022 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Dress up your salads with this simple recipe for Balsamic Salad Dressing! Made with a handful of ingredients, Balsamic Vinaigrette is slightly sweet, perfectly tangy, and exceptionally delicious.

    Dress up your salads with this simple recipe for Balsamic Salad Dressing! Made with a handful of ingredients, Balsamic Vinaigrette is slightly sweet, perfectly tangy, and exceptionally delicious.

    Balsamic Dressing in glass pitcher next to tossed salad.

    It is beyond easy to make salad dressings at home. They only require a few ingredients (all of which you likely have on hand), and the quality and taste are superior to anything store-bought.

    While I love ranch dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, and poppyseed dressing, the one dressing you will always find in my refrigerator is this Balsamic Vinaigrette.

    The sweet and tangy dressing is not only perfect for dressing salads but it can be used to marinate meat or for dipping bread. It is truly one of the most versatile (and delicious) dressings to have on hand.

    The Key to the Best Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Of course, the flavor is crucial when making any homemade salad dressing. You want a balance of acidity with fat and both sweet and tart undertones for complexity--which this recipe for Balsamic Vinaigrette delivers.

    But one thing that is often overlooked is how to properly emulsify the dressing. There is nothing worse than a watery or oily dressing that separates when used.

    One added ingredient will keep your balsamic dressing perfectly creamy and emulsified--from the first pour to the last drop.

    Molasses.

    And not only does molasses keep the vinaigrette perfectly combined, but it also adds just the right sweet undertone to balance out the acidic notes of the dressing. It is the ingredient that makes this recipe for Balsamic Vinaigrette the best.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for Balsamic Dressing labled on counter.
    • Balsamic Vinegar: Because balsamic is the star, be sure to use good quality balsamic vinegar. I recommend looking for one stating it is from the Modena region of Italy.
    • Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
    • Molasses: As stated earlier, molasses will add sweetness to the dressing and keep the dressing emulsified. While you can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten the dressing, neither will work for emulsification purposes.
    • Dijon Mustard: The dijon will add a nice tangy undertone. Use Dijon or brown mustard, not yellow mustard.

    Optional Additions

    My recipe for Balsamic Vinaigrette is simple, yet balanced in flavors. However, the following additions add a delicious touch.

    • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
    • Oregano: Add ½ teaspoon of dried oregano for an herby punch of flavor.

    How To Make Homemade Balsamic Dressing

    For best results, use a food processor or blender to combine the Balsamic Vinaigrette.

    • Place ingredients into a small food processor or blender and process until smooth and well combined.
    • Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
    Side by side photo of food processor before and after blending balsamic dressing.

    Serving Suggestions

    Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is one of the most versatile recipes. While using it to dress salads is an obvious choice, this vinaigrette is suited to be used as a dip or a marinade as well.

    • For Marinating Protein: Use ½ cup of the Balsamic Vinaigrette to marinate up to 1 pound of chicken breasts, chicken thighs, flank steak, London broil, pork chops, pork tenderloin, or even extra-firm tofu. Simply place the protein of your choice in a shallow dish or storage bag, pour the marinade over the protein of your choice and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 3-12 hours and then cook as desired.
    • For Marinating Vegetables: Toss peppers, onions, summer squash, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with enough balsamic dressing to evenly coat the vegetables. Refrigerate for 3-12 hours. Use to prepare Vegetable Kabobs or bake for a delicious side dish.
    • As a Dip: Balsamic Vinaigrette is delicious served with warm Italian Bread for dipping. It also makes a great dip for Antipasto Skewers in place of pesto.
    • As a Salad Dressing: Use to dress Caprese Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, Chickpea Salad, or Copycat Panera Greek Salad. Another great option is to drizzle this Balsamic Vinaigrette over fresh tomatoes and mozzarella for a delicious, simple Caprese Salad.
    Balsamic Dressing in glass pitcher next to tossed salad.

    If you enjoyed this simple recipe for Balsamic Vinaigrette, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Balsamic Dressing in glass pitcher next to tossed salad.

    Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Made with a handful of ingredients, this recipe for Balsamic Vinaigrette is slightly sweet, perfectly tangy, and exceptionally delicious. Perfect as a salad dressing, a dip, or marinade.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 51kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh pepper
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 2 tablespoons Molasses
    • 1 clove garlic or 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
    • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • In a mini food processor or blender, combine all the ingredients. Blend or process until well combined and emulsified.
    • Transfer the dressing to a sealed container and store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.  

    Notes

    Optional Additions: For a bit more flavor, add in any or all of the following: 
    • ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
    • ½ teaspoon of dried oregano for an herby punch of flavor
    Using Balsamic Dressing as a Marinade:
    • For Marinating Protein: Use ½ cup of the Balsamic Vinaigrette to marinate up to 1 pound of chicken breasts, chicken thighs, flank steak, London broil, pork chops, pork tenderloin, or even extra-firm tofu. Simply place the protein of your choice in a shallow dish or storage bag, pour the marinade over the protein of your choice and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 3-12 hours and then cook as desired.
    • For Marinating Vegetables: Toss peppers, onions, summer squash, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with enough balsamic dressing to evenly coat the vegetables. Refrigerate for 3-12 hours. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 12mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This recipe was originally published in 2018 but updated in 2022 with new photos and tips.

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    « Homemade Raspberry Dressing
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      April 02, 2022 at 4:27 am

      5 stars
      This is so good paired with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in a salad. I love how much the acidity adds!

      Reply
    2. Agnes

      March 30, 2022 at 12:59 pm

      5 stars
      Homemade dressings are always 100x better, this one included. yum!

      Reply
    3. Valentina

      March 30, 2022 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      This homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing is AMAZING! Love this easy dressing for all salads!

      Reply
    4. Beth

      March 29, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect to have on hand! I love making homemade recipes, so much better than store bought! So excited!

      Reply
    5. Allyson Zea

      March 29, 2021 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      WHAT?! I have been buying this forever and it's so easy to make! Never turning back!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 29, 2021 at 3:23 pm

        So happy to hear you enjoy this recipe, Allyson!

        Reply
    6. Katie

      March 29, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good balsamic dressing for a tasty salad!

      Reply
    7. Kathy Pagoria

      August 23, 2019 at 11:46 pm

      This recipe sounds great! I could not find a serving size. Is it like 1T per serving?
      Thanks!
      Kathy

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 24, 2019 at 7:34 am

        Hi Kathy! This recipe yields about 1 cup--which is 16 tablespoons. So I consider each serving 1 tablespoon 🙂

        Reply
    8. Jennifer Banz

      April 11, 2019 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      Looks very tangy! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Dara Michalski

      April 11, 2019 at 11:34 pm

      5 stars
      The maple syrup in this added the perfect amount of sweetness! We'll be keeping a supply of this in our fridge.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 12, 2019 at 6:19 am

        I love hearing that Dara!

        Reply

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