A homemade balsamic vinaigrette is super easy to make! My version has just the right amount of zingy sweetness and will elevate a wide range of meals from salads to roasted veggies.
Why You’ll Love It
- So Easy. All you have to do is stir (or shake) a few pantry ingredients in a jar, and voila. The balsamic vinaigrette is ready for use!
- Healthier than store-bought options. There’s no unnecessary additives or fillers, just fresh, clean ingredients.
- Stores well. It can be stored in the fridge and used throughout the week. So if you’re finding yourself always using vinaigrettes, it’s nice to know a fresh version can be made instantly.
While there are endless ways you can make a vinaigrette (I have numerous recipes on this website), this balsamic vinaigrette is hands-down the one I make most often. It’s extremely fresh, with layers of tangy, sweet flavors, and tastes 10x better than its bottled counterpart.
Just like my popular lemon vinaigrette, I use this dressing anytime I want to elevate my meal. It’s my go-to dressing for my strawberry salad in the summer and my roasted beet and kale salad in the winter. I’ve even been known to simply drizzle in on roasted veggies—so good!
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients
The typical vinaigrette ratio is 3:1—meaning three parts oil to 1 part vinegar. But, I use a 1:1 ratio for this recipe as balsamic vinegar is naturally sweet and not as pungent as other vinegars. Then, all you need is honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic to take it to the next level!
- Olive Oil: I always recommend choosing a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for vinaigrettes. It really does make a difference.
- Balsamic Vinegar: The brand I love is linked in the recipe card below, but any brand will do! Just make sure not to buy the thick, syrupy balsamic glaze at the market, as those have added sugar and other ingredients.
- Honey & Dijon Mustard: Although honey can be omitted, I find that a bit of sweetness helps balance the tang from the Dijon mustard.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds an extra punch of savoriness.
- Salt & Pepper: Just a pinch of both brings all the unique flavors to the surface.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Balsamic Vinaigrette
Emulsify the dressing. Just add the oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl or a jar with a lid. Then whisk the ingredients together (if in a bowl) or add the lid to the jar and shake until emulsified. That’s all there is to it!
Ways To Use It
- Drizzle over caprese. While I usually drizzle my thicker balsamic glaze over a caprese salad or these fun caprese skewers, if I have this vinaigrette already made, it’s a great option as well!
- Toss with salads. Balsamic flavors pair extremely well with a wide variety of veggies and fruits, making it quite versatile. So do a little experimenting and toss it with any salads you feel could use some sweet zing!
- Use it as a marinade. I often use this dressing as a marinade for baked chicken if I want a sweeter flavor profile.
- Drizzle over your favorite cooked veggies. I love to spoon it over roasted Brussels sprouts with a sprinkle of goat cheese or this creamy celery root puree. But any roasted or sauteed veggies will do!
Storage Tips
I love storing my dressings and vinaigrettes in these glass jars with a screw-top lid (and they’re easy to shake the dressing in!). They’re the perfect size, super durable, and will keep your vinaigrettes good for up to one week in the fridge.
Side note: Vinaigrettes will naturally separate, so just give them a shake before using, and they’ll be as good as new!
More Vinaigrette Recipes
- Dijon Vinaigrette: Packed with mustardy goodness.
- Apple Cider Vinaigrette: Great for fall salads.
- Raspberry Vinaigrette: Love this with my berry spinach salad.
- Citrus Lime Vinaigrette: Perfect for Tex-Mex salads.
- Champagne Vinaigrette: Simple and classic.
If you make this balsamic vinaigrette recipe, let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’d like to see more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my email community here.
Description
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients. Add the oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Emulsify the dressing. Whisk the ingredients together (if in a bowl) or cover the jar and shake together, until emulsified.
Lisa’s Tips
- The serving size is about 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
- This recipe yields about 1/2 cup (130ml).
- I love storing vinaigrettes in these glass jars. They’ll last for up to one week!
Nutrition
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This recipe was originally published January 2022, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
Would this work with white balsamic vinegar?
Love your recipes
Hi Lorraine – Yes, it works great with white balsamic! It’s a milder flavor and a bit more delicate. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
As I am vegan, what can I substitute for honey? Thanks.
Hi Patty – You could do a drizzle of maple syrup. Enjoy!
This has become our family’s favorite salad dressing. So easy to make quickly, and yet so delicious. And guests are always extra impressed if you made the dressing yourself.
Happy to hear the whole family loves this one, Janice!
So good, but why only keep for up to a week? I keep it refrigerated longer because I’m not using it every day, is that bad?
If I want to make in bulk
Should I put it in the the freezer?
I love this dressing! I often use a few tablespoons of homemade mayo and less olive oil which makes it creamier.
I’m so glad you’re loving this balsamic vinaigrette, Sandy!
I didnt have much in the pantry when I decided to make this. Simply whoa from the taste factor. Im going to make sure to look at all your dressings whenever Im in a salad mood. Thank you so much for sharing your love of all yummy eats!
Of course, Aileen! I can’t wait to see what dressings you make next.
I am strictly eating non processed food and sticking as close as I can to the Mediterranean Diet to lose weight and stay healthy. Last night I made this delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette to use on my salad. It was a home run for me. So much tastier and healthier than bottled dressing. This is now on my favorite list. Thank you Lisa for creating and sharing healthy recipes. 😊
You’re more than welcome, Vickie! I’m so happy you love this homemade version, and I agree, it’s much tastier than bottled versions. :)
Delicious!
I made the Lemon Vinaigrette dressing recently and I’m getting ready to
Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. I also made a wonderful creamy ranch style dressing in previous dressing section. All of these dressings are keepers and were delicious. I love the tangy lemon dressing.
Hi Peggy, happy to hear you’re loving this balsamic vinaigrette among many other dressing recipes on the site. Enjoy!
I make a similar recipe but use 2 tsp’s of brown sugar instead of the honey.
My BF loves it !
Great minds think alike! Enjoy, Christine :)
Delicious
Hi Lisa,
How long do vinagrets store?
Hi Dora! I will typically include the storage information in the post or recipe notes, but this will stay good for up to one week in the fridge.
With the honey, should you bring this back to room temp before using?
I love throwing this classic dressing on all my salads, classic go-to.
Hi Karen – Glad you’re making the most out of this balsamic vinaigrette!
I think garlic is missing from the instructions. Thanks!
Hi Gina – Thanks for catching that! We just fixed it.
I love this easy recipe., and it really taste good! I make it almost every week. Great with salad and stir fry for extra flavour.
Thank you Lisa. Your recipes are amazing ❣️❣️🌸🌺
I’m happy to hear you love them!
Hi Lisa was searching pinterest looking for a healty salad dressing came across this one and oh my its fabulous! ❤️
Hi Wendy – Happy to hear you love this balsamic vinaigrette!
I made this to go with the roasted chickpea salad, both are absolutely delicious and I will definitely be making this dressing on a regular basis.
Glad you enjoyed this balsamic vinaigrette, along with the salad!
Awesome healthy dressing for my salad occasions. I have made this a few times already. Look forward to trying the other dressings. Thanks Lisa!
Glad you’re loving this balsamic vinaigrette!
So good, but why only keep for up to a week? I keep it refrigerated longer because I’m not using it every day, is that bad?
Absolutely fantastic! I’ve tried others like this, but this is my fave! I’ve made it several times doubling the recipe.
Glad you’re loving this balsamic vinaigrette!
So glad I found you on you tube!! Your recipes are so delicious ! I just made the balsamic dressing and it is wonderful!! This will be a staple recipe for me. And I made your air fryer salmon which was absolutely delicious! Thank you!!!
I’m happy you enjoyed the balsamic vinaigrette and air fryer salmon recipes Gail!
This recipe is sooo good!! I did put it in the fridge and ever since it’s been hard to mic thoroughly. My guess I’d the Dijon mustard or honey? Am I supposed to leave it out or should it be refrigerated?
Hi Sandy – Happy to hear you love the balsamic vinaigrette! Yes, it can harden when chilled. Just let it come to room temp for 5 minutes and then give it a good shake. :)
A wonderful and yummy dressing!!!
I struggled for years to find a salad dressing that I like. Now I’ve found it.
Thank you soooo much, Lisa!! xoxo
Oh yay, I’m happy to hear it! x
This dressing makes me want to eat salad all. day. long. 👏🏾 Delicious!
Another perfect recipe, thank you!
Hi Lisa, I found your YouTube channel kind of by accident and I am so glad that I did. We love this vinaigrette. Thank you for the recipe :) I also have made the carnitas, which we had the other night. Oh so good!
If I haven’t said so already, welcome to the Downshiftology community Andrea! Glad you enjoyed this balsamic vinaigrette and carnitas – can’t wait to see what you make next :)