3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (2024)

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (1)

Are you looking for the perfect balsamic vinaigrette dressing for your next salad or dish? Look for further.

This balsamic dressing recipe is perfection! And you don’t even need a blender to make it.

You’ll love this dressing because it’s loaded with flavor, easy to make, and contains high-quality ingredients that are good for your health.

This dressing recipe has been a favorite since the first time that I made it. It contains only 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) that you may already have in your pantry and fridge.

Homemade Balsamic Dressing Is Better Than Store-Bought

I love this homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe for so many reasons:

  • It’s made with clean, healthy ingredients
  • You can customize based on what you want or have on hand
  • It tastes amazing on just about everything, from salads to roasted veggies to even chicken or fish
  • It’s super easy to put together and keeps in the fridge for at least a week

On the other hand, store-bought balsamic vinaigrettes are loaded with saturated fats, preservatives, and sugars.

Best Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

Balsamic Vinegar

The most important thing to remember when you make balsamic vinaigrette: Not all balsamics are made the same. I repeat, not all balsamics are made the same!

If the vinegar you choose is too bitter or acidic alone, you’ll end up with a less-than-pleasing dressing.

Balsamic vinegar that comes in giant bargain bottles tends to be more acidic, so look for a smaller bottle of well-aged balsamic. A little goes a long way, and it is well worth the few extra dollars to use high-quality vinegar. I’ve been loving aged fig balsamic lately.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Look for cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil. You may also opt for another oil with a light, pleasant flavor, like avocado or grapeseed oil.

Dijon Mustard or Whole Grain Mustard

Time for one of my favorite condiments: I love grainy mustard.

A dash of mustard adds a gourmet flavor to your salad dressings and is a key ingredient in most vinaigrettes.

I’ve been using Sierra Nevada Stout grainy mustard a lot lately. I also like Grey Poupon in balsamic dressing, but any Dijon mustard will do.

Again, just make sure you like the flavor before adding it to your dressing. Most people consider this ingredient optional in balsamic vinaigrette, but I always add it as it enhances the taste and helps the emulsion process.

Sea Salt

I always use sea salt for its rich mineral content. Look for a finely ground salt, so it dissolves in your dressing. I use the brand Real Salt.

Black Pepper

Freshly ground black pepper is always best. I twist my grinder to a medium grind.

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (2)

Optional Add-ins to Your Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

I don’t always add these because high-quality mustard will already contain these flavors, but it’s fun to mix things up sometimes.

Fresh Garlic (Smashed or Minced)

Raw garlic is robust. If you add garlic to your recipe, just smash the clove and let it sit in the vinaigrette for a few minutes then remove it to infuse flavor but not overpower it. One smashed or minced garlic clove per one cup should do it.

Fresh Shallots, Minced

Shallots have a mild, sweet onion flavor and work well in balsamic dressing. If I have a small shallot in the pantry, I’ll mince it up and add it to my dressing. It adds a nice little crunch to the salad as well.

Just say no to added sugar

If you use a good aged balsamic, you won’t need to add any extra sweetness. I’m ok with the natural sugars in the balsamic in my dressing and try to avoid any excess added sugar when possible. If your balsamic isn’t sweet at all, you can add a teaspoon or two of sugar or maple syrup if needed.

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (3)

2 Ways to Make Balsamic Dressing

You can do the quick and easy “shake it up in a jar” version, or you can do the professional emulsion version when making any vinaigrette-style salad dressing.

Option 1: Here’s the quick and easy way to make balsamic dressing:

  1. Place all of the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  2. Shake it vigorously for about 3o seconds then use it right away.
  3. Store it in the fridge

Option 2: Make an emulsion if you want to get fancy.

If we were in culinary school or learning the professional chef’s way of doing things, you’d whisk the mustard and vinegar in the bottom of a large bowl, then slowly add the oil while whisking vigorously to make an emulsion. Then, mix in the shallot or garlic if using, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Both methods work! When I’m in a hurry, I just shake it up in a jar because life’s too short to not take shortcuts sometimes. #yolo

How to Store Homemade Balsamic Dressing

I always make this dressing in small batches and refrigerate it after using it to keep it fresh.

Due to the highly acidic nature of balsamic vinegar, it stores easily in an airtight glass container for about 1 week in the refrigerator.

Pro Tip: I simply store the dressing in a mason jar with a lid in the refrigerator until I use it next. This keeps the dressing fresh and tasting delicious!

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (4)

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Balsamic Dressing

  • High-quality doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive; it just means shopping smarter and choosing the right ingredients. When preparing a homemade salad dressing—or anything, for that matter—make sure that each individual component is delicious on its own.
  • The ratio of vinegar to oil in the perfect vinaigrette is up for debate. I really like half & half. Some people prefer a 1:2 ratio of vinegar to oil (for example, 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1 cup of oil) or even 1:3. Just play around with it until you find how you enjoy it most.
  • I also love to incorporate other spices, such as oregano and garlic powder, to give this recipe a little twist. Feel free to experiment with different spices to enhance the flavor of this recipe.

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3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (5)

Perfect Balsamic Dressing (aka Vinaigrette)

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Elizabeth Rider
  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 2 mins
  • Yield: 1 cup 1x
  • Category: Salad Dressing, Vinaigrette
  • Method: Mix or Whisk
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade balsamic dressing recipe is a top Google search for a reason—it goes with just about everything! It’s super simple to whip up a batch and makes any salad or veggie taste amazing.

If you love it, please leave a star rating in the comments below to help other readers in our community.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/2 cup good-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid (a mason jar works great).
  2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until emulsified. You can also emulsify your vinaigrette in a blender or food processor (work on low, increasing the speed as you stream in the oil last). I only use a blender when working in extra large quantities. Up to about a cup, shaking it like crazy in a mason jar works great (and there’s way less clean up.)
  3. Alternatively, you can whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. To use this method, whisk all ingredients except the olive oil in a small bowl, then stream in the olive oil while you continue to whisk until the dressing has emulsified.

Notes

This yummy recipe also works great with any kind of vinegar you like, especially red wine vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is full of health benefits and adds great depth to this recipe. It might separate, so shake up ACV before using it.

The recipe below makes 1 cup, but you can use the proportions to make any amount.

Ideas to use your Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

This delightful balsamic vinaigrette dressing is not limited to just one basic salad. It can be used in various ways, from superfood salads to pasta to roasted veggies.

  • Mixed Greens or Romaine Salad: Balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect salad dressing to dress up mixed greens
  • Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cranberries, and Feta: An arugula salad topped with these delicious toppings just adds a new level to your salad game. Arugula is packed with micronutrients, and 3 cups of it provide vitamin C, folate, calcium, and your daily value of vitamin k.
  • Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Feta, and Walnuts: When I don’t feel like having a romaine or arugula salad, I use spinach as the base for my balsamic vinaigrette salad. It provides an excellent source of micronutrients like potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and other rich vitamins and minerals.
  • Pasta Salad: If you want to switch it up, try making pasta salad topped with this homemade balsamic vinaigrette. You can use regular noodles or gluten-free for this meal.
  • Roasted Veggies with Balsamic Vinaigrette: Roasted veggies with balsamic vinaigrette are a super easy and delicious way to incorporate more nutrients into your next meal.
    • For spring/summer veggies, try roasting a variety of tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, and onions.
    • For fall/winter veggies, use an assortment of vegetables like radishes, turnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and squashes.

Can You Swap the Ingredients for This Recipe? Yes, you can definitely swap ingredients for this recipe. I recommend using high-quality olive oil, but any mild-tasting (and high-quality) oil is perfect for this recipe. Grapeseed oil is a good alternative if you prefer not to use olive oil.

I also encourage you to use whatever ingredients work best for you. The beauty of this vinaigrette is that it is simple but customizable, depending on your needs.

More Delicious Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes:

  • Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
  • Sweet Italian Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
  • Homemade Cole Slaw Dressing Recipe (Vegan or Not)

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (6)

3-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe | Elizabeth Rider (2024)

FAQs

How to make balsamic vinegar ingredients? ›

Traditional balsamic vinegar is made from sweet white grapes, often the Lambrusco or Trebbiano varieties. The grapes are pressed whole — including the stems, seeds and juice — and then cooked over a flame until reduced by half. They are left to ferment naturally for up to three weeks.

What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

What is the ratio of oil to vinegar when making a vinaigrette? ›

This is a standard vinaigrette recipe, so we use the traditional oil to vinegar ratio: three parts oil to one part vinegar/acid, but this ratio can vary depending on your choice of vinegar/acid and personal taste. The less acidic the vinegar/acid, the less oil you need.

What's the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

How do you make balsamic vinegar at home? ›

The classic balsamic fermentation: the grapes are fermented, after a few days the juice is pressed and thickened to a certain sugar content. Then a short alcoholic fermentation takes place, followed by fermentation to vinegar. Particularly important is the subsequent storage in different wooden barrels over many years.

What is balsamic vinaigrette dressing made of? ›

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Ingredients

Balsamic vinegar – It fills the dressing with bold, sweet, and tangy flavor. Extra-virgin olive oil – It gives the dressing body and richness. Dijon mustard – For extra tang. Honey or maple syrup – It mellows the acidity of the mustard and balsamic.

Which vinegar is best for vinaigrette? ›

In addition to white wine vinegar, red wine, sherry, balsamic and cider vinegars can all be used in the same quantities as above. It's really down to personal taste and it's great to have a selection of vinegars in your cupboard to give variety to even the simplest salads.

What is the simplest form of dressing? ›

Lets start with a vinaigrette. These are the lightest of all dressings. On the simplest level they're merely any kind of acid (think lemon, lime, vinegar etc.) whisked together with oil salt and pepper.

What is classic vinaigrette made of? ›

Put the mustard, vinegar and olive oil in a jar and season. Shake vigorously to mix. Store in a cool place (not the fridge) until ready to use. Use for all your salads or try one of our recipes, right.

What are the two fundamental ingredients used to make a vinaigrette? ›

A vinaigrette is made of two basic ingredients - olive oil and balsamic.

What is the best ratio for vinegar? ›

Most applications call for a 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar so the strength of the acid isn't too intense or damaging, and it can be stored in a jar or a spray bottle for easy access. Here's how we use white vinegar to clean 18 things in our kitchens.

What is the healthiest salad dressing? ›

8 Simple and Healthy Salad Dressings
  1. Sesame ginger. This simple salad dressing doubles as an easy marinade for meat, poultry, or roasted veggies. ...
  2. Balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  3. Avocado lime. ...
  4. Lemon vinaigrette. ...
  5. Honey mustard. ...
  6. Greek yogurt ranch. ...
  7. Apple cider vinaigrette. ...
  8. Ginger turmeric.
Jul 27, 2023

Is oil and vinegar better than balsamic vinaigrette? ›

A balsamic vinaigrette typically involves adding oil, sugar, and/or mustard to balsamic vinegar, along with seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. While it can be made in a way that makes it healthier than several other salad dressing options, it can't compare to simply using the vinegar and oil.

What type of balsamic vinegar is best for salad? ›

stamp are the most expensive, but they contain only grape must, so they're thicker, sweeter, and more flavorful compared to vinegars without the stamp. 1 Heat can destroy the flavor of traditional balsamic vinegars, so they're best used for drizzling atop cooked dishes, desserts, and salads to let the flavor shine.

What is balsamic vinegar made by? ›

True Balsamic vinegar is an artisan product from Modena, in Emilia Romagna, Italy, and is made with grape must (juice) that is simmered to make a concentrate, allowed to ferment, then, for a minimum of 12 years, matured in barrels of progressively decreasing size, made from different woods in order to impart different ...

Can you make balsamic vinegar from scratch? ›

Red wine vinegar is pretty easy to make from red wine. But balsamic vinegar is made from a syrup that's fermented and aged very slowly. If you want to make balsamic at home, you'll need to get some Italian grapes like Trebbiano, Ancellotta or Lambrusco—which, interestingly, are all white wine grapes.

What should be the first ingredient in balsamic vinegar? ›

Instead, the first ingredient in a bottle of good balsamic vinegar should be cooked grape must.

What is the raw material of balsamic vinegar? ›

The main ingredient of any Balsamic Vinegar is cooked grape must. What is this? The cooked grape must, also called “Saba” in ancient times, is obtained thanks to the slow cooking of the unfermented grape must in a copper pot.

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