Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
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Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette is an easy and simple balsamic dressing you can use for salads or as a marinade. I like this balsamic vinaigrette recipe SO much more than the store bought stuff and it’s healthier too!
I’m team homemade balsamic dressing
Growing up my mom never brought a bottled dressing into our home. I thought she was just trying to save money until I grew up and realized the taste of of homemade dressings like homemade balsamic vinaigrette is just far superior.
Homemade salad dressings like this balsamic vinegar salad dressing are usually made with better ingredients than the store bought ones. Luckily in 2020 we have some better options like Primal Kitchen dressings, but it still saves a few bucks to make your salad dressings at home.
This healthy balsamic dressing is so versatile. You can use it on salads or as a dip for veggies. You could also thin this dressing with a bit of broth and make a super flavorful grilled balsamic chicken marinade.
What kitchen tools will I need to make this creamy salad balsamic vinaigrette?
How should I use this balsamic vinaigrette dressing?
This simple dressing can help you make some of your favorite recipes even better! I like to use it as a chicken marinade for balsamic grilled chicken.
You could also make a simple caprese pasta salad by tossing cooking pasta, mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes in this easy balsamic vinaigrette.
What is balsamic dressing made of?
You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this balsamic vinegar salad dressing with just a few basic ingredients.
- Honey
- Balsamic vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Extra virgin olive oil – it is important to use good quality olive oil to ensure the best flavor of the creamy balsamic vinaigrette
- Sea Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
I like to keep the seasonings simple so I just use salt, pepper and garlic powder. If you want to add even more flavor you can replace those with some Italian seasoning or even add in some dried herbs.
If you prefer to use fresh garlic, I recommend using just one clove so that you don’t overpower the flavor of the dressing. Mince the fresh garlic prior to placing it in the blender.
How do you make balsamic vinaigrette?
Step 1: Add all ingredients except oil to a blender
First, add honey, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a blender. Then, blend together on high until full combined.
Step 2: Blend in the oil
Next, stream the oil into the blender while the blender is running on medium-low. Continue blending until the oil is fully incorporated. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
My favorite salad combos to eat with this homemade balsamic vinaigrette recipe
Try this homemade vinaigrette with one of these easy recipes for a quick lunch or side dish!
- Strawberry Spinach Salad – Start with baby spinach and top with fresh sliced strawberries, grilled chicken, crumbled feta and toasted almonds
- Chopped Romaine Salad – Start with a base of finely chopped romaine lettuce and top with red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled steak and blue cheese
- Classic Caprese Salad – Slice large heirloom tomatoes into rounds and layer with thick slices of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Simple balsamic marinade recipe
You can use this basic vinaigrette as a base for a versatile marinade. Take 1 cup of this creamy balsamic dressing and whisk it together with 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth.
Then, smash 5 cloves of garlic and mix the garlic cloves into the liquid. Chop up 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves and mix into the bowl. Pour this marinade over your protein of choice and marinate for at least 4 hours.
Can I use an immersion blender to make this creamy balsamic dressing?
Yes! If you want to use an immersion blender to make this balsamic vinaigrette, just add all ingredients to the blender cup and blend.
Pull the blender up slowly as you blend until all of the oil is incorporated. You can also use a food processor and follow the same steps as you would for the blender.
Check out these other healthy homemade salad dressing recipes!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Easy homemade balsamic dressing for salads or marinating.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add honey, vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a blender
- Blend on high until a smooth even mixture remains
- With the blender running on medium-low, pour in the EVOO in an even steady stream
- Increase the speed of the blender as you add the oil
- Blend until the oil is fully incorporated
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container
Christene says
Perfect, so yummy. Thankyou!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
You’re welcome!
Misty says
What makes this so high in fat?
Madeline says
The extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use a lower fat oil if you prefer
Catherine Joy says
Loved it, thank you!
★★★★★
Madeline says
So glad!! Thank you for sharing!
Leah says
So good the first 5 times I had to make it again for a bday dinner for my hubby and BIL. Will be a nice accompaniment to my homemade spaghetti. Thanks again Maddie @mad_about_food❤️
Madeline says
Amazing!! Thank you!!
Leah says
Round 3? 4? 5? So glad I asked for this recipe!! Thanks again Madeline.
Madeline says
amazing!!!
Carolyn says
Just made this easy dressing & it is delicious!! Can’t wait to have it on hand to use it on salads each week!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay! so glad!
Amy says
Balsamic vinaigrette is my favorite dressing, but this is amazing!! I’ve made this numerous times & can’t get enough of it!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you so much!!
Danielle says
Love this dressing as with all of your salad dressings! Its so easy to make and has a nice tangy to it!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful! Thank you!
Kayla says
This is a delicious dressing that is very versatile.
★★★★★
Lizzie says
Made this using my immersion blender and it was delicious (and fun!)
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! thank you!!
Gina Lockwood says
You can’t go wrong with any of Madeline’s recipes! Always easy to make and absolutely delicious. I made this dressing and it was a hit with all the guests including my 4 year old granddaughter.
★★★★★
Lisa says
Love this recipe but it’sa little thick for my taste. How could I make it a little thinner?
Madeline says
Hi Lisa! You can add a bit of warm water and blend. Keep adding it until its the desired consistency.
Silvia says
How long does this last in the fridge after making it?
Madeline says
I would give it up to 4-5 days in an airtight container, just be sure to give it a good shake before use again!
Randee Morris says
Holy mother of balsamic dressings! All I had on hand was an aged balsamic that was already thicker. So the dressing came out THICC and I am not mad about it. Not sure how you do it but every recipe I’ve tried of yours is ON POINT. Thank you!
★★★★★
Casey says
Really yummy and easy! I will be adding this to salads all week!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay! so glas!!
Shana B says
This is so good and so versatile for a dressing! Love it! I must confess… I’ve had it in my fridge for probably a month… hasn’t killed me yet for keeping it this long! Haha! Will definitely make again!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Haha, love to hear it! Thanks, Casey!
David Miller says
I was really interested in your recipe but do to all the pop ups and disruptive advertising I found the page too difficult to even scroll through. I will be sure to avoid anything you post in the future.
Madeline says
hey David, I’m sorry you had difficulty scrolling through. the pop-ups and ads are a source of income for me, which helps make it possible for me to post free content like all the recipes on my site. most all food blogs will provide similar experiences.
Rachel says
I live in South America and have never found Dijon mustard in my city. Is regular mustard an acceptable substitute? I hope so, because this looks so yummy!
Madeline says
Yes! any kind of mustard would work
Jessica says
I made this more heart healthy for us and it is delicious. I used water to replace half the olive oil, but kept everything else in the exact proportions. It is so creamy and tastes amazing on kale & citrus salad. I can’t wait to try it on other things. We are vegan and I see I will be using this recipe for basting vegetables to roast, marinating tofu and or nectarines for grilling. It is so easy to make if you have a good blender.
★★★★★
Madeline says
thanks Jessica!
Debbie Raffaelli says
Delicious and all ny friends wanted the recipe.
★★★★★
Madeline says
aww love that! thank you!!
Sue Coombs says
Delishious
★★★★★
Madeline says
thank you!!
Shana says
This is a wonderful dressing! Easy to make. We have an amazing olive oil and balsamic vinegar store in town so I used their Fig Balsamic Vinegar, so good; otherwise I followed recipe as is! I have been using it on grilled romaine salads with shaved Parmesan and pistachios!
★★★★★
Madeline says
oooo fig balsamic sounds fabulous as does that salad!
April says
How long do you think this would be ok in the fridge for ?
Madeline says
Hi, April! For 5-7 days in an air-tight container.
Jaclyn says
Fantastic recipe!!
Madeline says
Thank you!
Caitlin says
This balsamic recipe is by far my favorite! We don’t buy store dressings anymore and only make this one and the Apple cider vinaigrette. Thank you!
★★★★★
Madeline says
That is a huge compliment! Thanks, Caitlin!
Romi says
Delicious!!’ There is no better homemade recipe for creamy balsamic dressing. Other recipes I’ve tried and store bought dressing doesn’t even come close. Make it, you’ll love it, and it will become a staple in your fridge. Kudos Madeline and thank you!!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Wow, thanks, Romi!!!