Balsamic Vinaigrette

Published April 28, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette – this incredibly easy to make salad dressing is deliciously tangy, nicely balanced with sweetness, and has a complex, rich flavor. It’s the perfect compliment to a simple green salad.

Balsamic vinaigrette in a glass salad dressing jar set over a small plate. A green salad is shown in the background.

Easy Balsamic Dressing

This classic balsamic vinaigrette is a must in your recipe collection.

It takes just a few minutes to make, only needs a handful of ingredients, and it’s one of the most flavorful dressing recipes. Plus it’s a hundred times better than anything you’ll buy in a bottle on the shelf.

For a slightly thicker, refreshingly cold dressing just prepare an hour or two ahead to allow some time for it to chill in the fridge.

Serve it over a classic crisp green salad with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, or over a spinach salad with strawberries and feta. You can’t go wrong with either one!

Green salad with strawberries and walnuts with balsamic vinaigrette being poured over.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp minced garlic, or 1.5 Tbsp minced shallot
  • 1/4 tsp (heaping) salt, then more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

A Note About Balsamic Vinegar

Every brand of balsamic vinegar has a different level of tartness. I recommend tasting it first, if it’s quite tart you can reduce to 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, or you can add a little more honey.

Ingredients shown that are used in balsamic vinaigrette.

How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette

  1. Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a bowl, or pour into a jar (cover with lid) and shake.
  2. Preferably chill for 1 hour before using. Whisk well before serving or shake well in jar again.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Does It Need to be Refrigerated?

  • Yes. Balsamic vinaigrette dressing should be refrigerated.
  • If dressing becomes thicker than you’d like in the fridge after a day you can just let it rest at room temperature for a while to thin out a bit.
  • It can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Close up photo of salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

More Dressing and Salad Recipes to Try

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Balsamic vinaigrette in a glass salad dressing jar set over a small plate. A green salad is shown in the background.
5 from 1 vote

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This incredibly easy to make salad dressing is deliciously tangy, nicely balanced with sweetness, and has a complex, rich flavor. It's the perfect compliment to a simple green salad.
Servings: 6
Ready in: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl, or pour into a jar (cover with lid) and shake.
  • Preferrably chill for 1 hour before using. Whisk well before serving or shake well in jar again.

Notes

  • *Every brand of balsamic vinegar has a different level of tartness. I recommend tasting it first, if it's quite tart you can reduce to 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar.
  • **The amount of honey can be adjusted based on how sweet you'd like dressing to be.
  • Makes about 1 cup + 2 Tbsp dressing.
Nutrition Facts
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Amount Per Serving
Calories 243 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 18g
Sodium 102mg4%
Potassium 26mg1%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 2IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.