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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressings and Sauces

Sweet Balsamic Dressing

Published: Jun 20, 2022 · Modified: Jan 12, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 18 Comments

This tangy dressing made with simple ingredients is the most flavorful vinaigrette!
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Homemade salad dressing is 100 times better than store-bought salad dressing, and cheaper too! With all the flavor, why not make your own? Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to make this sweet balsamic dressing. It's the perfect balance for your salad and will quickly become your favorite vinaigrette!

Whether you're making a great Steakhouse Salad or a pasta salad homemade salad dressing from scratch makes all the difference in flavor and taste!

step by step instructions how to make balsamic vinaigrette
Best Balsamic Vinaigrette
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's   
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with 
  • Sweet Balsamic Dressing

Why you'll love this recipe

Have you ever made your own salad dressing? I admit it, sometimes I cheat and use store-bought. But why??? This sweet balsamic vinaigrette recipe is my

✔️ It's fresh.

✔️ It's easy to make and uses real ingredients.

✔️ It tastes a ton better than store bought.

Ingredients

  • Balsamic Vinegar - pro tip! Buy good quality vinegars. They range in price from a few bucks to over a hundred dollars - eek! The moral of the story? Buy the best you can afford without breaking the budget!
  • Olive Oil - good olive makes all the difference. Extra-virgin olive oil is my first choice and they vary in flavor from fruity to peppery - choose the flavor you enjoy.
  • Soy Sauce - I often choose soy sauce over salt because I like the depth of extra flavor it offers.
  • Dijon Mustard - I use Grey Poupon often or a grainy mustard. 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 really enhances the flavor and also helps the emulsion process.
  • Sweeten with a little brown sugar, touch of honey, agave, maple syrup or white sugar. You won't need much added sugar, just a little sweetness.
  • Black Pepper - love that peppery bite!

Easy enough, right? In fact you'll probably have all of these ingredients in your refrigerator and pantry!

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions for this easy recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a resealable or mason jar.
  2. Shake vigorously. 

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

  • Pyrex 4-Piece Glass Measuring Cups
  • Squeezable Vinaigrette Bottle
  • Measuring Spoons - I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
Homemade Balsamic Vinegar Salad Dressing poured over antipasto salad
Just pour homemade balsamic glaze over the salad and toss.

FAQ's   

What is balsamic vinegar used for?

There are several uses for good balsamic vinegar! In addition to your favorite salad dressing, it's perfect for finish a stew or to add a drizzle to your homemade pasta sauce.

Does balsamic vinaigrette need to be refrigerated?

Yes, refrigerate leftover salad dressing.

Does balsamic vinegar expire?

Yes, but it has a long shelf life, it can also up to five years.

Is balsamic vinegar is bad for you?

It can make your throat raw if you drink it straight, but hey...we're not talking about doing that!

Easy southwest salad recipe being topped with a homemade vinaigrette pour from an orange container.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

Storage

Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container. This Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe will last up to 5 days refrigerated.

Related recipes

  • Thousand Island Salad Dressing - homemade is so simple with ingredients you already have on hand.
  • Blue Cheese Salad Dressing - perfect for a salad or for dipping chicken wings.
  • Poppy Seed Salad Dressing - you'll love how easy this is to make and how much better it tastes than store bought!

Serve with 

  • Southwest Salad - I originally created this recipe specifically for this salad. It's the perfect combination of flavors!
  • Fresh Garden Salad - yum, yum, yum - another great green salad!
  • Antipasto Pasta Salad - even with this rich salad, the flavors of the dressing go perfectly.
  • Tomato Salad - it's perfect with the balsamic dressing recipe.

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette being poured over green salad.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Sweet Balsamic Dressing

This tangy dressing made with simple ingredients is the most flavorful vinaigrette!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Course: Salad Dressing
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 171kcal
Author: Deb Clark
Cost: $2
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup olive oil

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a screw top jar - give it a good shake. 
  • If a jar isn't available, pour ingredients into a small bowl, whisk to combine .

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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More Salad Dressings and Sauce Recipes

  • Cilantro Garlic Sauce {Copycat Pollo Tropical}
  • Texas Roadhouse Butter Recipe
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning Recipe
  • Authentic Fajita Seasoning Recipe

About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nikki

    June 12, 2019 at 5:29 am

    5 stars
    So simple and so delicious! I use this one all the time on my salads and even as a marinade! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      Fabulous, it's the balsamic, right? Just the BEST flavors!!!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer A Stewart

    June 11, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    being able to make homemade dressing is the best! Once I started, I don't buy store bought anymore! And it's much tastier!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:15 pm

      I completely agree!

      Reply
  3. Kylee

    June 11, 2019 at 6:53 am

    5 stars
    Homemade vinaigrettes are the BEST! I love how easy this one is!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:17 pm

      Thanks Kylee

      Reply
  4. Angela

    June 10, 2019 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade dressing really is so much better and this certainly has plenty more uses too. I'm loving the flavors in this with the mustard!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      The mustard adds a lot and helps emulsify it too - delish! Thanks Angela!!

      Reply
  5. michele

    June 09, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    5 stars
    I wholeheartedly agree... homemade is best! Im looking forward to trying your version, and love the tip of using soy sauce instead of salt... it sounds so interesting and can totally see the depth it will add to a dressing!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      Wonderful - enjoy Michele!

      Reply
  6. Julie Menghini

    June 09, 2019 at 6:06 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade dressing is the best and we love balsamic on salads and freshly roasted veggies!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Great tip for the roasted veggies - thanks Julie!

      Reply
  7. Sandra Shaffer

    June 09, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    You can't beat a good homemade balsamic vinaigrette! I really dislike having tons of purchased salad dressing jars in the refrigerator, so make a dressing and use it right away is definitely the way to go. I love your pretty serving jar. Is that Fiesta?

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:27 pm

      Thanks Sandra! That little pitcher was my Grandma and it's probably 60 years old. I just checked it's not Fiestaware, there's not even a stamp on the bottom. It's my fav color and I just love it!

      Reply
  8. Madi

    June 09, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good to know! Balsamic vinaigrette is one of my faves but I've never tried making it!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      It's so easy to make, I hope you give this a try!

      Reply
  9. debi at Life Currents

    June 08, 2019 at 6:09 am

    5 stars
    I love how easy it is to grab a few ingredients from my cupboard and make a delicious salad dressing. And with summer and all the lighter fresher eating, this was delicious! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:30 pm

      I totally agree, light summer eating at it's best!!

      Reply

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