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This homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe will eliminate the need to ever buy salad dressing again. It is perfect on any salad, over vegetables or as a marinade for meat or fish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Homemade is Better! For years I bought my salad dressing but once I started making homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing I rarely buy it anymore!
Go To Recipe: Today’s dressing recipe is one of those basic recipes that everyone should have. It can be a starting point, a recipe to be played with and tweaked or used just the way it is! It only takes a few minutes to mix up and is so much better than store bought and cheaper too!
Ingredients Ingredients:
- Dijon Mustard. You can use your favorite mustard such as a honey mustard or a spicy mustard,
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Honey. You can also use sugar, agave or maple syrup
- Garlic. Minced garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Lemon
How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Combine all your ingredients into a container or jar. I start with my olive oil and then add in all remaining ingredients, it doesn’t matter what order they are added.
- Stir or whisk all ingredients together to combine. Dressing will separate as it sits and you will need to stir or shake the jar before using.
- If you prefer a creamier texture to your homemade salad dressing blend it together in the blender.
Tips
- To change up the flavor, use a flavored vinegar such as raspberry or red wine instead of balsamic. You can also add some dried onion, some Italian seasoning or any other herbs you like.
- Vinaigrette makes a great marinade for meat as well.
Pair This With
- Over Spinach Salad, Arugula Salad, any kind of lettuce or salad greens.
- Marinade roasted vegetables in it.
- Use as a marinade for chicken.
- It makes a great marinade for flank steak or chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this balsamic vinaigrette recipe last?
Stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, it will last about a month.
What is the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette?
Balsamic Vinaigrette is a salad dressing that uses balsamic vinegar as a main ingredient along with oil, a sweetener and other ingredients.
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Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients until combined.
Tips & Notes:
- Sugar can be used instead of honey
- Use a flavored vinegar such as raspberry or red wine or just use plain old white vinegar instead of balsamic.
- Try spicy mustard instead of Dijon
- Leave the garlic out or use garlic powder.
- Add some dried onion, some Italian seasoning or any other herbs you like.
- And yes, I only use fresh lemon juice. Fresh lemons are part of my regular shopping list.
Nutrition Facts:
Toni says
One of our favorites!
Rebecca @This Nest is Best says
Leigh Anne, this dressing is amaaazing! Our absolute favorite and a breeze to make. Thank you so much for sharing!
Liz says
Hi,
After savoring Spaghetti Factory’s Greek Salad, I decided to – what else? – search the net. Yours was the first Italian dressing recipe I came upon. I loved the crisp, clean taste of SF’s and am going to go give yours a try, in about five little minutes! 🙂 Thanks!
Leigh Anne says
I’ve never had the SF Greek Salad but let me know what you think of the salad drsesing.
Marybeth Whalen says
I am on a very strict diet right now, so I make my salad dressing every day using only 2 tsp of balsamic vinegar and 4 tsp of cold pressed olive oil. Then I add some sea salt and some fresh ground pepper. I find that it brings out the flavors of the salad so much– whereas the dressings I used to use only covered up the flavors. I doubt I will ever use storebought dressing again!
Taryn says
Thanks for the idea- I have been thinking about trying to make my own dressing- but now I have a good recipe to try! Thanks.