Homemade salad dressing is 100 times better than store bought, cheaper too! With all the flavor, why not make your own? Follow these easy step-by-step directions – How to make Balsamic Vinegar Dressing and you’ll love the result!
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!
How to make balsamic vinaigrette
Have you ever made your own salad dressing? I admit it, sometimes I cheat and use storebought. But then I shake my head, because it tastes so much better when you make it yourself!
This salad dressing is one of my favorites. It’s easy to make – takes just a minute and no chopping, muss or fuss!
My favorite way to mix a vinaigrette is by simply using a mason jar. Add everything in the jar and shake, shake, shake! The salad dressing is done AND leftovers are easily stored!
Deb Clark
Choosing the right ingredients
- Balsamic Vinegar – a good aged balsamic vinegar ranges in prices 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 most!
- 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.
- Brown Sugar, Honey, Agave or White S
ugar – honestly if you use a good aged balsamic you really won’t need to sweeten it, but unless you’re spending big bucks on the vinegar, a little sweetener will only make it taste better! - Pepper – love that peppery bite!
Best Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
Grocery list for Salad Dressing
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- soy sauce
dijon mustard- brown sugar
- pepper
Easy enough, right? In fact you’ll probably have all of these ingredients in your refrigerator and pantry!
There are several uses for good balsamic vinegar! In addition to your favorite salad dressing, it’s perfect
I refrigerate leftover salad dressing.
It will last about two weeks.
More delicious Homemade Salad Dressings!
Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am 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. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.
Here are a few must have’s for making your own salad dressing!
- Pyrex 4-Piece Glass Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons – I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
If you post a photo, please tag me! I’d love to see your pictures! You can tag me with #bowlmeover or if you’re on Instagram use @bowl_me_over I can’t wait to see how yummy this turned out for you!
How to make Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a screw top jar – shake vigorously.
- How easy is that?!!
debi at Life Currents says
June 8, 2019 at 6:09 amI 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!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:30 pmI totally agree, light summer eating at it’s best!!
Madi says
June 9, 2019 at 1:44 pmThis is so good to know! Balsamic vinaigrette is one of my faves but I’ve never tried making it!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:28 pmIt’s so easy to make, I hope you give this a try!
Sandra Shaffer says
June 9, 2019 at 4:27 pmYou 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?
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:27 pmThanks 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!
Julie Menghini says
June 9, 2019 at 6:06 pmHomemade dressing is the best and we love balsamic on salads and freshly roasted veggies!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:22 pmGreat tip for the roasted veggies – thanks Julie!
michele says
June 9, 2019 at 10:05 pmI 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!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:20 pmWonderful – enjoy Michele!
Angela says
June 10, 2019 at 5:38 pmHomemade dressing really is so much better and this certainly has plenty more uses too. I’m loving the flavors in this with the mustard!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:18 pmThe mustard adds a lot and helps emulsify it too – delish! Thanks Angela!!
Kylee says
June 11, 2019 at 6:53 amHomemade vinaigrettes are the BEST! I love how easy this one is!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:17 pmThanks Kylee
Jennifer A Stewart says
June 11, 2019 at 5:42 pmbeing able to make homemade dressing is the best! Once I started, I don’t buy store bought anymore! And it’s much tastier!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:15 pmI completely agree!
Nikki says
June 12, 2019 at 5:29 amSo simple and so delicious! I use this one all the time on my salads and even as a marinade! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
June 13, 2019 at 3:13 pmFabulous, it’s the balsamic, right? Just the BEST flavors!!!