5-Minute Balsamic Vinaigrette (Extra Easy!)
This simple balsamic vinaigrette is easy and quick to make at home, and brings a terrific flavor lift to any dish! The secret behind this DIY balsamic dressing is in the ingredient ratios. It’s not just the combination of ingredients that matter, how much of each you use is key!
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 healthy, easy balsamic dressing recipe brings a flavor lift to any dish.
Delicious homemade dressings don’t have to be complicated — take this 3 ingredient homemade pesto vinaigrette, for example!
And, as we love easy mason jar recipes around here, and this homemade balsamic vinaigrette is as simple as adding your ingredients to a mason jar and shaking it all up!
On that note, if you’re looking for a creamy version, check out this easy creamy balsamic vinaigrette.
why it’s worth making your own salad dressing at home
- One of the best parts about making your own healthy 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 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.
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!
ways to use this easy balsamic vinaigrette 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 or white fish.
- This quick homemade dressing goes well with DIY Greek Inspired Quinoa Bowls, Build Your Own Veggie Quinoa Power Bowls, Sheet Pan Chicken Kale & Sweet Potato Bowls, Tomato Basil Lentil Salad, 5-Ingredient Mediterranean Pasta Salad and more!
how to store homemade salad dressing
- 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.
Vinaigrette Ratios
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!
recipe notes, modifications & adaptations
- 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
- I recommend using kosher salt for this recipe. If you use table salt you might need to adjust the amount up or down. As always, salt to taste.
- 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!
other vinaigrette & dressing recipes
3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette
this recipe is…
Dairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreePaleoVeganVegetarianWhole30
I hope you’ll make this Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe soon.
If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette
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
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, 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
Nutrition Information:
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Super easy and very tasty! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to store bought dressing again!
Yay, so glad you enjoyed this one, Yvonne! Thanks so much for leaving a reivew!