Dressings & Sauces

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This balsamic vinaigrette is the classic Italian dressing you will reach for again and again — rich balsamic vinegar, good olive oil, Dijon, and a touch of honey whisked into a deep, glossy emulsion. It suits everything from simple greens to caprese, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls. Made properly, it strikes the balance between tangy and sweet that bottled versions always miss, and it takes just five minutes to shake together.

Balsamic Vinaigrette
5 minPrep time
5 minTotal time
8Servings
90Kcal / serving

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine the base

    Add the balsamic, Dijon, honey, grated garlic, salt, and pepper to a jar.

  2. Emulsify

    Stream in the olive oil while whisking, or seal and shake the jar hard, until thick and emulsified.

  3. Taste

    Adjust with more honey to soften or more balsamic to sharpen.

  4. Store

    Keep in the fridge up to two weeks; shake well before each use.

Try this drizzled over our grilled chicken avocado salad or any of our green salads. For more, see our Homemade Salad Dressing Ratios guide and our Greek Yogurt Ranch.

The MakeSalads secretBuy a decent balsamic — the cheap, thin stuff is harshly acidic, while a syrupy aged balsamic brings natural sweetness that means you barely need any honey.

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