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This basic balsamic vinaigrette is a perfect balance of bold, sweet, tart, and slightly aromatic flavors, made with just 5 ingredients (plus salt & pepper) in 5 minutes!
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Vibrant, Tangy 5-Minute Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
If you keep balsamic vinegar in your pantry, then we implore you to try this recipe for balsamic vinaigrette dressing immediately! With just a handful of pantry staples, it’s loaded with flavor, undeniably miles better than store-bought dressing, and takes just a few minutes and a bowl or jar to whip up!
By combining balsamic, mustard, garlic, and a touch of sweetener like maple or brown sugar, this dressing is wonderfully vibrant, bold, tangy, aromatic, and slightly sweet (you can even tweak the ratios to your liking). Better yet, it contains just enough oil to coat every salad leaf without making them greasy or soggy – transforming salads from okay to ‘oh yay!’
Looking for an even healthier version? Check out our recipe for oil-free balsamic dressing. You might also like quick lemon dressing or Italian dressing.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients
- Balsamic vinegar: It’s best to use good-quality balsamic vinegar that’s been well-aged (aging increases the flavor – making it milder, sweeter, and richer). White balsamic vinegar also works, though it’s milder and slightly less sweet.
- Olive oil: We prefer making balsamic vinaigrette with olive oil. Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. Avocado oil would work well, too.
- Water: To bring the homemade balsamic vinaigrette to the correct consistency.
- Dijon mustard: For tang and subtle heat. Yellow mustard works in a pinch.
- Sweetener: A small amount of sugar balances the tanginess, enhancing overall flavor. We love using brown sugar or maple syrup, though agave, brown rice syrup, date syrup, or even a sugar alternative (like erythritol) will work – add to taste.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of garlic powder (use fresh minced garlic if preferred), black pepper, and sea salt make a full-bodied simple balsamic vinaigrette.
Recipe Variations
- Herbs: Fresh or dried, like oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, chives, cilantro, etc.
- Spices: i.e., paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper – add to taste.
- Creamy balsamic vinaigrette: Add 2-3 tbsp of vegan mayo or vegan Greek-style yogurt.
- Basil balsamic vinaigrette: Add 6-12 leaves (depending on your preferred flavor) of fresh basil, finely chopped – or more, to taste.
- Keto balsamic vinaigrette: Use a keto-friendly sweetener, and you’re good to go.
- Citrus balsamic vinaigrette: You can add 1-2 tbsp of either lemon juice, orange juice, or a combination of both for a bright, citrusy flavor. Add zest for more flavor.
How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette
- First, measure out the ingredients and add them to a small bowl or lidded jar.
- Whisk or shake the balsamic vinaigrette dressing ingredients until emulsified, then taste and adjust any ingredient.
For the creamiest (and longest) emulsion, first combine all the ingredients EXCEPT the oil. Then slowly stream that in whisking constantly. Alternatively, add them all to a small blender/food processor jug and process until smooth.
For the best homemade balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing, leave the flavors to meld for at least an hour before serving.
FAQs
It’s a rich, slightly sweet brown vinegar traditionally from Modena, Italy, and made with grape must (the juice, skins, seeds, and stems) that is boiled, concentrated, and then fermented/aged for a minimum of 12 years to concentrate/enhance flavor.
However, some modern versions combine the grape ‘must’ with wine vinegar to speed up the process, aging it for just months rather than years.
Overall, balsamic vinaigrette can definitely be a healthy choice as long as you use moderate portions (and vinaigrettes are usually far healthier than creamy dressings).
Balsamic vinegar itself contains few calories, no fat, and little natural sugar, yet contains antioxidants and boasts several benefits like lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and improving skin.
Meanwhile, extra-virgin olive oil is a heart-healthy fat, but best eaten in moderation because of its high calorie content. This recipe also contains sugar, though the type (refined, unrefined, a sugar alternative) is up to you. You could even reduce the amount if preferred.
While balsamic vinegar is simply the type of vinegar, a balsamic vinaigrette dressing combines that with other ingredients (typically olive oil, sugar, salt, and sometimes other spices) to create a sauce for salads, dipping bread, and more.
Absolutely! This recipe will work great for a basic vinaigrette recipe by replacing the balsamic with white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, pomegranate vinegar, etc. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
Recipe Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients: For the best flavor, use good-quality oil, vinegar, etc.
- Adjust to taste: Tweak any ingredient to your preferred taste. I.e., more sweetener, more mustard, etc.
- Leave it to rest: Though you can technically use it immediately, this easy balsamic vinaigrette recipe tastes best when given an hour or two to marinate.
- For the creamiest dressing: Using a blender, immersion blender, or food processor can help to emulsify the ingredients into a thicker, creamier balsamic vinaigrette olive oil dressing.
Storage Instructions
Store the vegan balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, shaking or whisking it between servings as it will separate.
The dressing may solidify in the refrigerator – this is normal. Either bring it back to room temperature on the counter before whisking or add a spoonful of boiling water and re-whisk.
You can also freeze it in 1-2 tablespoon portions into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, then transfer the cubes to a Ziplock/Stasher bag to store for 3-4 months.
Serving Suggestions
This balsamic maple vinaigrette pairs well with more than just salad and is great for dipping bread/focaccia, drizzling over vegan pizza, with roasted and grilled vegetables and proteins, as part of a marinade, and more. Note that it pairs particularly well with:
- Fruit: Apples, pears, berries, peaches, pomegranate, grapes, oranges, etc.
- Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beets, tomato (like caprese salad), cucumber, carrots, butternut squash/ pumpkin, sweet potato, red onion, shallot, potatoes, etc.
- Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, arugula, spring greens, romaine, etc.
- Grains: Like wild rice, quinoa, farro, bulgur, etc. It also works well in pasta salads.
- Nuts/seeds: Like pepitas/pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, etc.
- Vegan cheese: Like dairy-free mozzarella, cheddar, feta, or dairy free goat cheese.
More Vegan Dressing Recipes
- Basil salad dressing
- Vegan Caesar dressing
- Taco salad dressing
- Avocado green goddess dressing
- Easy miso tahini dressing
- Japanese carrot-ginger salad dressing
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- 5 tablespoons of water
- 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar with a lid, mix all of the ingredients except the salt. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight jar or bowl for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients: For the best flavor, use good-quality oil, vinegar, etc.
- Adjust to taste: Tweak any ingredient to your preferred taste. I.e., more sweetener, more mustard, etc.
- Leave it to rest: Though you can technically use it immediately, this easy balsamic vinaigrette recipe tastes best when given an hour or two to marinate.
- For the creamiest dressing: Using a blender, immersion blender, or food processor can help to emulsify the ingredients into a thicker, creamier balsamic vinaigrette olive oil dressing.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
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So easy to make!