This easy creamy balsamic dressing combines comes together quickly in under 5-minutes with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, garlic and honey for a simple versatile dressing that will add flavor to salads, chicken, and more.

Side view of creamy balsamic dressing in a clear glass carafe surrounded by leafy greens on a white table.

5 star review

“Super easy to make and absolutely delicious. Perfect dressing.”

– Michele
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This Mayo Balsamic Dressing is About to Become You’re Go-To!

I love the simplicity of a good balsamic dressing and how it can elevate anything! From a classic green salad to a hearty chicken dinner – this simple recipe brings a flavor lift to any dish. Delicious homemade dressings don’t have to be complicated. This one is as simple as adding your ingredients to a mason jar and shaking it all up!

One of the best parts about making your own dressing is that you can adjust the flavors to your palette. Since you’re making it yourself, you also have full control over the quality of ingredients used (including the type of oil and any added sugar or sweeteners). The beauty of this simple creamy balsamic mayo dressing is that it just comes together in a mason jar, no blender needed. Shaking the ingredients together in a jar helps bring the dressing together and cuts down on clean up.

Make it Even Easier!

Another perk of using a mason jar is that any leftover dressing can be stored in the same jar you made it in. Reducing dishes even further!

Pouring creamy balsamic dressing from a glass carafe onto a green salad.

Beyond Salad – More Uses for Mayo Balsamic Dressing

As a salad dressing, balsamic works well with ingredients like mixed greens, arugula, basil, bell peppers, berries, strawberries, chicken, chopped pecans and radicchio. This recipe also works well as a dressing for most grain and bowl recipes to add extra flavor and tie all your ingredients together. Plus, a good balsamic vinegar dressing can even double as a delicious marinade for chicken or white fish.

Small white pinch bowls containing mayonnaise and mustard and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients, Subs & Swaps

  • Balsamic vinegar: This is the star ingredient in any balsamic dressing. So look for a good quality 6% acidity balsamic vinegar without any sugar or additional additives or color added.
  • Honey: Honey or maple syrup can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Honey will add a little extra body, while maple syrup is a great paleo-friendly alternative. 
  • Garlic: For a stronger garlic flavor, grate or finely mince the garlic and add in step 2 of the recipe card below.
  • Mayonnaise: The taste and quality of mayonnaise will strongly impact the taste of the final dressing. So use a high-quality mayonnaise that you like the taste of (I like to use avocado oil mayonnaise).

No need to splurge on an aged balsamic vinegar for a dressing. It will be too sweet & syrupy – so save the aged stuff for drizzling!

clear glass jar with dressing and a white salad bowl with striped blue napkin

This Recipe Is…

side view of creamy balsamic dressing in a clear glass carafe surrounded by leafy greens on a white table
5 stars (5 ratings)

3-Minute Creamy Balsamic Mayo Dressing

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 8
Prep: 3 minutes
Total: 3 minutes
This easy creamy balsamic dressing combines comes together quickly in under 5-minutes with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, garlic and honey for a simple versatile dressing that will add flavor to salads, chicken, and more.
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Ingredients

  • 1 small garlic clove, peeled
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Equipment

Instructions 

  • With the bottom of a glass jar or side of a knife, lightly crush the garlic clove.
  • To a 8-oz mason jar, add the crushed garlic clove, salt, mustard, and honey (or maple syrup), using a fork or small whisk to combine.
  • Add the balsamic vinegar and water, add the lid, and shake vigorously until the salt has dissolved and all the ingredients are combined.
  • Add the mayonnaise and pepper. Using a fork or small whisk, stir the mayo into the balsamic mixture. Add the lid, and shake vigorously until the dressing has emulsified and there are no clumps of mayo. Taste and add additional salt or pepper if desired.
  • Remove the garlic clove, discard, or set aside for another use.
  • Store, refrigerated, for up to 5 days. To use, allow to come to room temperature, and shake well to recombine.

Notes

  • This recipe makes 8 tablespoons, or 8 servings if using a serving size of 1 tablespoon.
  • The taste and quality of mayonnaise will strongly impact the taste of the final dressing. Use a high-quality mayonnaise that you like the taste of.
Course: Dressings & Sauces
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 8), Calories: 48kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 122mg, Potassium: 12mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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