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The best Balsamic Vinaigrette is made in ten minutes with just four simple ingredients: balsamic vinegar, shallot, honey and olive oil. Make it once and I bet it will become a staple salad dressing in your house just like it is in ours.

pouring balsamic vinaigrette from glass pitcher
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This is my go-to dressing not only for this amazing Strawberry Spinach Salad, but for so many leafy green salads. It pairs perfectly with endless cheese and nut varieties and salads with both dried and fresh fruits.

Pairing Suggestions:

  • Mixed Baby Greens
  • Bitter Greens: radicchio, endive, arugula
  • Cheeses: blue cheese, goat cheese / chèvre, feta
  • Nuts: hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts
  • Dried Fruits: cranberries, cherries, pears
  • Fresh Fruits: apples, berries, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots

More Homemade Salad Dressings

Imagine all of the delicious salads you can create! And for more salad dressing inspiration, don’t miss these favorites:

FAQs

How long does Balsamic Vinaigrette last?

Balsamic Vinaigrette will keep for up to two weeks in your refrigerator. If the oil hardens on top, let it stand at room temperature for fifteen minutes before serving to give the the oil time to liquify. Then swirl or whisk the vinaigrette to combine and serve.

My refrigerator is rarely without a pitcher of this salad dressing. And I predict that once you try it, you’ll keep it on hand as well.

How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette

Step 1: Add balsamic vinegar, shallot and honey to a blender pitcher; blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

blending balsamic vinaigrette ingredients until smooth

Step 2: With blender running, add olive oil in a steady stream to balsamic vinegar mixture; blend until emulsified.

adding olive oil to blender of balsamic vinaigrette ingredients

Step 3: Transfer dressing to small pitcher and serve.

pouring balsamic vinaigrette from blender into serving pitcher

Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 from 11 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 96
Servings: 8 people
With a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes, you can make the best Balsamic Vinaigrette you’ve ever tasted! So good, you’ll want to pour it on everything!

Video

Ingredients  

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small shallot coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Add vinegar, shallot and honey to a blender pitcher. Season lightly with salt and pepper; blend until smooth. 
  • With blender running, add olive oil in a steady stream; blend until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste and blend until combined. Transfer to pitcher and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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28 Comments

  1. Barbara says:

    5 stars
    This is our absolute favorite! And so easy!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      I love to hear that, Barbara! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

  2. annie@ciaochowbambina says:

    5 stars
    I predict my refrigerator will rarely be without a pitcher of this too! Nothing like a delicious balsamic vinaigrette!

    1. Marissa says:

      You know I love hearing that, Annie! xo

  3. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says:

    5 stars
    I really enjoy balsamic dressing but since I stopped buying salad dressings, I haven’t had it as much. I usually just add straight up balsamic vinegar to my salads! I will definitely need to try this version. Love that it has minimal ingredients and will last in the fridge for a while!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you, Leanne! I hope you’ll give this a try – I’d love to hear what you think. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    One of my favorite dressings Marissa! And homemade is always better than store-bought.

    1. Marissa says:

      Thanks, Mary Ann! And, so true! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Katherine | Love In My Oven says:

    Homemade is the way to go!! My husband is a big fan of balsamic vinaigrette! I’ll give your recipe a go!

    1. Marissa says:

      Love to hear that, Katherine. Thank you!

  6. Valentina says:

    5 stars
    I love having homemade dressings and vinaigrettes at the ready. This one looks SO rich and creamy. I love that you blend the onion right into it. Can’t wait to try it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Marissa says:

      I can’t wait for you to try it, Valentina! The combo of shallot and honey blended makes this so creamy and delicious!

  7. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says:

    5 stars
    Homemade salad dressing is so much better than store-bought! And balsamic is always my go-to. I need to try your recipe!

    1. Marissa says:

      I’m excited for you to try it, Kelsie! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

  8. David @ Spiced says:

    5 stars
    Ever since seeing this video on Instagram, I’ve been craving a salad! Seriously! I love how easy this vinaigrette is to make. I’m thinking I should pick up some spring mix and whip up a batch of this dressing for easy lunches next week. It sounds delicious!

    1. Marissa says:

      That makes me happy, David. Thank you!

  9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says:

    5 stars
    Nothing like homemade vinaigrettes! I always make at home instead of buying and this one is a must try! Perfect for the upcoming season ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Marissa says:

      So much better than the bottled stuff! Thanks, Dawn!

  10. Lorelle says:

    Just wondered if it might work with maple syrup or something else instead of honey? My niece is vegan and whilst I think this recipe is delicious, I’m looking to when she will visit.
    thanks!

    1. Marissa says:

      Hi Lorelle! I think maple syrup would be a delicious substitution here!

  11. angiesrecipes says:

    Love balsamic based dressing! Can’t wait to try your recipe ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Marissa says:

      Yay! Thank you, Angie!

  12. Kevin says:

    5 stars
    Fabulous vinaigrette! Might just be my must have this summer! You make it look so easy!

    1. Marissa says:

      It really is SO easy. I said 10 minutes to make it, but it’s more like 5! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  13. Liz says:

    5 stars
    My go to salad dressing 99% of the time. Your recipe is perfect!!!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you so much, Liz!

  14. Joanne says:

    5 stars
    Great step by step Marissa. This is a staple

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you, Joanne! It really is – a go-to in our house all year long.