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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!
For years I bought my salad dressing but once I started making homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing I rarely buy it anymore!
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!
What is a Vinaigrette?
Vinaigrette is a combination of oil and something acidic such as vinegar or lemon juice, this recipe uses balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. You can add salt, herbs or spices to it. It is generally used as a salad dressing but can also be used as a marinade for meats.
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.
Optional Vinaigrette Add Ins
- 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.
Just play with different combinations, using what’s in your pantry and see what you like best.
How to Use Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe:
- 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.
Joan Callaway says
I’m definitely with you about homemade salad dressings. They’re the best.
I sometimes just sprinkle over the greens a bit of seasoned rice vinegar (I discovered this in Japan, as that was what was always served on our little salads…and I found it quite refreshing and delicious.)
To your basic balsamic vinaigrette or one made with red wine vinegar, or seasoned vinegar, I might also had some finely minced fresh ginger for an Asian twist, feta with some Kalamata olives and/or capers for Greek dinner, Parmesan for Italian, etc.
Lisa says
And… I LOVE your font with the little underlined letters! Which font is that?
Lisa says
My friend made an awesome dressing & salad the other day. The dressing was a cranberry dressing (she didn’t have measurements – I hate that!!) but here is her ingredients.
jellied cranberries (canned)
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
salt and pepper
mix in blender and serve.
Or you could use this one (I haven’t tried this one)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Salad-Dressing/Detail.aspx
The salad was:
romaine hearts
spring mix (from Costco)
blue cheese crumbles
glazed walnuts
pears (remove peel & slice thin)
Mix together and serve with cranberry dressing.
This is my favorite salad right now 🙂
Courtney says
i have a couple favorites, i love a good italian dressing. The old spaghetti factory has a great pesto vinaigrette that i love, a good asian and the no fail balsamic! thanks for sharing. i need to start making my own. My mother use to do it when we were younger and I remember thinking it was the best ever.
~~Rhonda says
I’ll give your salad dressing a try. It sounds very good! My favorite dressing (and one of my favorite salads) is here: http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1743,157175-237194,00.html
I use 1/4 c. olive oil and 1/4 c. canola oil for the recipe. Delicious! Also wonderful on spinach with toasted or candied pecans and strawberries. ~~Rhonda