Everyone knows that a stellar dressing can take your salad from boring to totally crave-able. Store-bought is a great shortcut when time is tight, but when you have a few minutes to spare, whip up a homemade dressing like this Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe You will love the rich, garlicky goodness! Homemade tastes better, plus it is the best way to skip the sugar and chemicals that can be found in many commercial brands.
If I could make only one salad dressing for the rest of my life, it would be this healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe. I have made some version of this hundreds, probably thousands of times. It is one of my all time favorite dressings.
What makes this dressing special? It is quite simply so flavor-packed that you won't find a store-bought dressing that can compare.
This is a great recipe for meal prep. It takes just five minutes to throw together and gives you a week filled with crave-worthy salads. I would wager to say that this Balsamic Dressing could make a salad lover out of most anyone.
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing Ingredients
- Balsamic Vinegar - If at all possible, opt for an aged balsamic vinegar of the best quality you can afford. This will be sweeter than young vinegar, so make sure you taste before adding sweetener if you do not like a sweet dressing. If you are watching carbs, make sure you read the label.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Again, use the best quality you can afford. I use one for dressings and finishing dishes and another for cooking.
- Sweetener - Your preferred sweetener will do here. I try to avoid sugar these days, so Swerve is my go too. Sugar, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar - it is all good here.
- Mustard - Dijon, grainy, or any brown mustard is nice.
- Garlic - You can adjust this to your tastes. If you don’t have garlic, garlic powder or garlic salt works fine. If you use garlic salt, reduce the amount of sea salt.
- Seasonings - Don’t skip the salt and pepper. Cayenne pepper is optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
The proper ratio of olive oil to balsamic vinegar in vinaigrette recipes is three parts olive oil to one part vinegar. This is a guide and can be adjusted according to taste or dietary goals.
To make a creamier dressing, add in either ¼ cup mayonnaise, tahini, or plain Greek yogurt in place of ¼ cup of the extra virgin olive oil.
I've used the traditional 1:3 ratio of vinegar to oil here, but feel free to use less oil if you want. If you are trying to cut back on oil, try using chia gel for all or part of the oil. To do this mix ½ tablespoon chia seeds with ¼ cup water and stir. Let sit for about 5 minutes, until it forms a gel.
Since oil and vinegar do not naturally mix, they must be forced to combine through a process called emulsification. When the vinaigrette sits, it can separate. All you need to do is whisk it or shake it in a jar until it combines again. You can also re-process it in your blender.
Yes. Unlike store bought dressings - which also typically need to be refrigerated - this recipe does not contain any preservatives. It can sit out for a few hours, but beyond that I recommend refrigeration.
This recipe will keep for about two weeks up to a month sealed in the refrigerator. I like to keep it in a mason jar.
Tools Needed
- Blender, bowl and whisk, or glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Variations
- Add in 1 chopped shallot or 2 tablespoons chopped red onion.
- Add 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary.
- Add the juice of one lemon.
- Omit the fresh minced garlic and instead use 1 tablespoon of garlic powder. (More or less to taste.)
- For a kick of heat add in 1 minced chipotle chili pepper plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce.
What Goes With This Dressing?
- Use on any salad
- Use as the dressing for a pasta salad.
- Drizzle a tablespoon or so over fresh steamed vegetables.
- Drizzle over veggies in a wrap.
Tips for Making Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- Use the best quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar that you can afford and take care that you are actually using extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is defined as containing no more than .8 percent acidity. In an analysis of popular brands of “extra virgin, researchers found that many of them did not actually meet the standards. Inferior oils can have inferior taste. You can read more about the challenges in the olive oil industry in this article from the New Yorker.
- While you can make this dressing with a whisk and a bowl, for best results use a blender. It is the easiest way to get a silky emulsion.
How to Make a Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Here are step by step photos. For the full recipe with measurements, please scroll down.
First, gather your ingredients.
Next, add the balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to the blender. Process until smooth. (You can also combine the ingredients in a jar and shake, or whisk together in a small bowl. )
After that, add the olive oil.
That is it! It is really that simple.
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Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Swerve or other sweetener
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Add in 1 chopped shallot or 2 tablespoons chopped red onion.
- Add 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary.
- Add the juice of one lemon.
- Omit the fresh minced garlic and instead use 1 tablespoon of garlic powder. (More or less to taste.)
- For a kick of heat add in 1 minced chipotle chili pepper plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce.
robin rue
That sounds so good. I am going to make this for my dinner salad tonite.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
This is a great dressing. I love the added heat you put in this one. Om nom nom.
Melissa Chapman
My husband makes oil and vinegar dressing almost everyday and he needs to mix it up a little so I will get him this recipe so we have variety.
Catherine Sargent
I can't wait to make this recipe. I am glad you and your family are safe. We had a rough night, but we still have power and just had some branches and leaves scattered.
Shell
I love balsamic dressing. I'll have to try your recipe!
AnnMarie John
I'm glad your safe from the hurricane. My heart goes out to the people affected as well. I think this recipe is worth a try. I love having salad around and I could live on it too, because I love veggies.
Angela Milnes
I LOVE making my own dressings. This one looks delicious!
Carol Cassara
Thank God, you are safe! There are so many people affected by the hurricane and it's heartbreaking to watch the news! This recipe sounds great, I love the flavors and it's perfect for any salad!
Mitch
You are a smart person! If you have to live off of canned food, at least have a topping to make it more palatable! Thanks for sharing this, and I am glad the worst is over for all my Floridian friends!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place
So good to know that you're okay. I would totally prepare a lot of food for the family as well, if I were in your situation. I would love to keep this recipe!
brianne
This is my favorite dressing ever and I love this recipe! Will have to try it out!
Theresa
I've been eating more salads lately and love the idea of using vinaigrette instead of heavy dressings. I like that you have dijon in this recipe. I'm sure it gives it a little extra zing!
Pam
This dressing sounds really good. I have always been a fan of vinegarettes.
Kelly Hutchinson
I love balsamic vinaigarette dressing! I use it as a marinare and on salads. I didn't knwo it was so easy to make!
Liz Mays
Oh we could use this in so many of our recipes. Yum! I'm curious about that cayenne pepper!
Ktristin
YUM! What a simple and delicious dressing, I totally want to make this.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
Now I have a new flavor dressing for my salad! Thanks for this recipe.
Tess
I like balsamic vinaigrettes. A new one to add to my recipes.
Cinny
This is fantastic because its one of my fav dressings! I'm going to give it a try next time.
travel blogger
This sounds so good! We have been eating a lot of salads lately, and this would be a great way to give it a great new twist. I love homemade dressing, and this sounds perfect!
Crystal
I don't make a ton of dressings from scratch. But this makes it all sound so simple. I may ditch the bottled dressings from here on out.
Shannon Gurnee
I love Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing! I would love to try making this sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Ann
The dressing looks great. I will definitely try your recipe because I love balsamic vinaigrette. So glad to hear you were ok in the storm!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
ooh I love Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing! I have never tried making my own, this doesn't sound to intimidating even for time starved me, I might just have to give this a go. I have some cute mason jars all empty that I needed something to do with!
Our Family World
The only way we can counter the effects of natural calamities is to always be prepared for any emergency. I am happy you and your family is safe. I am one with you in praying for the victims of the hurricane in FL and TX.
Annemarie LeBlanc
Love your dressing recipe. I am happy you and your family is okay and that preparedness was a priority.
Shannon Graham
I can't wait to give this a try! Looks delish!
ECruz
I love this dressing. I just made it but I would like to know what the serving size is. I see the nutrition information but not the serving size/amount. 2 tablespoons, like most?
Wendy Polisi
It is 1/12 of the recipe.
Melissa
I just made this vinaigrette and it is so delicious and easy! Instead of putting it in a blender, I shook it up in a mason jar and it was perfect. I also added some dried basil and oregano for a little extra Italian flavor. My husband is not usually a fan of balsamic vinaigrette’s, but loved it!
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad that you all enjoyed it! I have started doing the mason-jar thing too - I get tired of hand washing the blender. Love that addition of herbs.