The Best Balsamic Vinaigrette

I make my own condiments and dressings whenever possible, they’re so much more flavorful than anything you’d get at the store. Some of our favorites include dressings for Chinese chicken salad, Olive Garden salad and this super versatile balsamic dressing. I know how easy it is to grab a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette at the store, but I find that pre-made dressings are lacking in flavor, full of sugar and loaded with preservatives. In just 5 minutes you can have your own homemade dressing with minimal effort!

Balsamic Dressing Ingredients

This dressing contains ingredients that you probably already have on hand including olive oil, vinegar, shallot, salt, pepper, mustard and honey.

How do you make balsamic vinaigrette?

Start by placing balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced shallot, Dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk until the ingredients are combined and the dressing has emulsified. Pour the vinaigrette into a jar. Seal and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make a salad.

Tips for the perfect dressing

This is a very simple recipe, so use the highest quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar that you can find. I prefer to use an aged balsamic vinegar whenever possible. This type of balsamic costs a bit more, but has a more intense, well rounded flavor without any overpowering acidity.The recipe calls for shallots, which taste like a cross between onion and garlic. I find that raw shallots have a milder flavor than raw garlic, which is why I’ve opted to use them here. You get a hint of garlic and onion flavor without a harsh aftertaste. If you can’t find shallots or don’t have them on hand, it’s fine to use garlic instead.While this dressing is clearly delicious on a salad, you can also use it to marinate chicken or drizzle over roasted vegetables.This recipe makes quite a bit of dressing, it should be enough for 3-4 salads.

Flavor Variations

This is a basic recipe for balsamic vinaigrette, but there are so many different ingredients you can add to change up the flavors.

Herbs: Feel free to stir in up to tablespoon of fresh herbs such as minced parsley, chives or dill. You can also try 1 teaspoon of dried herbs such as Italian seasoning.Heat: If you like a dressing with a kick, stir in crushed red pepper flakes to taste.Sweetener: Swap out the honey for brown sugar or maple syrup.Vinegar: Use the milder white balsamic instead of the traditional dark balsamic. You can even find balsamic vinegar with flavors added to it such as fig, lemon or pear.

I always have a container of homemade balsamic vinaigrette in my fridge, it’s just that good!