This easy 5-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing is quick and simple to make at home with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt. An easy salad dressing recipe with few ingredients, it brings a terrific flavor lift to any dish!

Spoon full of easy balsamic vinaigrette dipping into a glass jar.

5 star review

“Super easy and very tasty! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to store bought dressing again!”

– Yvonne
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This Quick Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe is So Easy to Make at Home!

I love the simplicity of a vinaigrette or dressing and how it can elevate anything! From a classic green salad to a hearty chicken dinner – this easy balsamic dressing recipe brings a flavor lift to any dish. Truly, delicious homemade dressings don’t have to be complicated — take this 3 ingredient homemade pesto vinaigrette, for example! With just a few ingredients you really can make an easy salad dressing at home.

One of the best parts about making your own salad dressing recipe is that you can adjust the flavors to your palette. 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 balsamic vinaigrette recipe 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. Or, just whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl and you’re good to go!

Small glass bowl with balsamic vinaigrette surrounded by tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Beyond Salad Dressing: More Ideas to Use Balsamic Vinegar Salad Dressing

  • As a salad dressing, balsamic vinaigrette works well with ingredients like mixed greens, arugula, basil, bell peppers, berries, strawberries, chicken, 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.
  • A good balsamic vinegar dressing can even double as a delicious marinade for chicken, white fish, or vegetables.

Tips for Storing Homemade Salad Dressing + Ratios

  • You can store this easy balsamic vinaigrette covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days
  • The vinaigrette may separate and look clumpy when refrigerated. This is because oil can solidify at cooler temperatures.
  • To use, simply remove from the refrigerator, allow to come to room temperature, and shake well to recombine.
  • A good dressing or vinaigrette is all about the rations, so if you’re wondering what are the ratios for a traditional vinaigrette it’s 3:1, or 3 parts oil and 1 part vinegar or acid such as lemon juice. Of course, you can always adjust the ratios to your taste preference, so feel free to experiment!
Garlic cloves with balsamic vinegar and oil and salt on white table.

Key Ingredient Notes

  • Balsamic vinegar is the star ingredient in balsamic vinaigrette, so look for a good quality 6% acidity balsamic vinegar without any sugar or additional additives or color added
  • Honey or maple syrup can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Honey will add a little extra body, while maple syrup is a great vegan alternative.
  • Omit the honey or maple syrup altogether for a Whole30 option.
  • Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil if you have it for the best flavor. 
  • For a stronger garlic flavor, grate or finely mince the garlic and add in step 2 of the recipe card below.

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

This Recipe Is…

spoon full of easy balsamic vinaigrette dipping into a glass jar
5 stars (2 ratings)

Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (5-Ingredients!)

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 6 tbsp
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
This simple balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing is quick to make at home with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt. An easy salad dressing recipe with few ingredients.
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Ingredients

  • 1 small garlic clove, peeled
  • ¼-½ tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp honey, or maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste

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, add the lid, and shake vigorously until the salt has dissolved and all the ingredients are combined.
  • Add the olive oil and pepper, add the lid, and shake vigorously until the vinaigrette has emulsified. Taste and add additional salt or pepper if desired.
  • Remove the garlic clove and discard, or set aside for another use. Alternatively, keep the garlic clove in the jar to infuse the dressing with a stronger garlic flavor.
  • Store, refrigerated, for up to 5 days. To use, allow to come to room temperature, and shake well to recombine.

Notes

  • This recipe makes about 6 tablespoons (or 1/3 cup) of dressing which will serve 6 if you use 1 tablespoon per serving.
  • For a stronger garlic flavor, grate or finely mince the garlic and add in step 2.
  • Use maple syrup for a vegan option.
  • Omit honey or maple syrup for a Whole30 option.
Course: Dressings & Sauces
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1tbsp, Calories: 122kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Sodium: 118mg, Potassium: 15mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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