• RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • NEWSLETTER
  • COOKBOOK
  • SAVED RECIPES
  • Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook
Love and LemonsMenu

Navigation

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • My Saved Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Social

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Skip the store-bought salad dressing! Instead, make this balsamic vinaigrette at home. It's rich, tangy, and SO easy to make. Just 7 ingredients!

dressings & sauces — Jump to recipe

Balsamic vinaigrette

If you keep a bottle of balsamic vinegar in your pantry, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be making your own balsamic vinaigrette at home. Really, skip the store-bought stuff: this balsamic vinaigrette recipe calls for 7 ingredients and comes together in under 5 minutes. It doesn’t get simpler than that!

And this recipe isn’t just simple – it’s flavorful, too. Thanks to the balsamic, mustard, and a touch of honey, it’s bold, sweet, and tangy. It’s a perfect way to jazz up salads, roasted veggies, and more. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked.

Balsamic vinaigrette recipe ingredients

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this balsamic dressing recipe:

  • Balsamic vinegar – It fills the dressing with bold, sweet, and tangy flavor.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – It gives the dressing body and richness.
  • Dijon mustard – For extra tang.
  • Honey or maple syrup – It mellows the acidity of the mustard and balsamic.
  • Garlic – For sharp, savory depth of flavor.
  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Whisking vinegar in small bowl while pouring in olive oil

You can make this balsamic dressing two ways: in a small bowl or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

If you’re making it in a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Then, drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. When the dressing is emulsified, season to taste.

If you want to make the dressing in a jar, add all the ingredients (oil included!), and secure the lid. Shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified. So easy!

Whisking balsamic dressing in small bowl

How to Use Balsamic Vinaigrette

This homemade balsamic vinaigrette is as versatile as it is delicious. I hope you enjoy finding different ways to use it! Here are a few of my favorites to get you started:

  • Toss it with a salad, like this beet salad, this pear salad, or any simple green salad.
  • Drizzle it over a Caprese salad or Caprese skewers. Who doesn’t love tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella with balsamic?
  • Use it as a marinade. Try it with these grilled portobello mushroom burgers!
  • Spoon it over roasted veggies, like Brussels sprouts, fennel, beets, or butternut squash.
  • Or grilled veggies. I love it on eggplant, zucchini, onions, or these grilled veggie skewers.

How do you like to use balsamic vinaigrette? Let me know in the comments!

Balsamic vinaigrette recipe ingredients

More Favorite Dressing Recipes

If you love this balsamic vinaigrette, try one of these delicious dressing recipes next:

  • Greek Salad Dressing
  • Homemade Italian Dressing
  • Honey Mustard Dressing
  • Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
  • Green Goddess Dressing
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing
  • Homemade Caesar Dressing
  • Lemon Vinaigrette

Get This Recipe In Your Inbox
Share your email, and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy daily doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!

Balsamic Vinaigrette

rate this recipe:
5 from 111 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Serves 6 to 8
Save Recipe Print Recipe
This easy balsamic vinaigrette is bold, sweet, and tangy. Use it as a salad dressing, or drizzle it over roasted veggies and more!

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, garlic, mustard, salt, and several grinds of pepper.
  • Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking and continue to whisk until the dressing is emulsified. Alternatively, combine everything in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to combine.
Love and Lemons Book Preorder
Did you make the recipe? I want to see!
Tag @loveandlemons on Instagram.
Fast and Easy Dinners My tips, strategies, and recipes for simple, healthy, and flavorful meals A composite of two healthy bowls, tacos, and a soup
Free Bonus:
5 Tips for Fast & Easy Dinners

No thanks

You may like these too...

  1. Avocado Sauce
  2. Vegan Sour Cream
  3. Balsamic Reduction (Balsamic Glaze)
  4. 15 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
  5. Arugula Pesto
  6. Peanut Sauce

91 comments

Previous Comments
5 from 111 votes (68 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Dar
    06.06.2025

    5 stars
    Soooo good, I make this all the time. I use garlic powder when I’m feeling lazy and it’s not a huge diff!

    Reply ↓
  2. Ian Johnson
    05.28.2025

    5 stars
    How long does this dressing last for please ?

    Reply ↓
  3. Stephanie
    05.11.2025

    Great easy recipe! Used blackberry balsamic vinegar we picked up in Temecula added shallots over butter lettuce and avocado! Amazing!

    Reply ↓
  4. Geraldine
    04.29.2025

    5 stars
    I just made this, this week. Waah! I can finally stop wondering why restaurant dressings taste better. This is so awesome, I will likely make this often from now on. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.30.2025

      Hi Geraldine, aww so glad you loved it!

      Reply ↓
  5. Christine
    04.17.2025

    5 stars
    My husband and I both loved this dressing! It is the perfect combination of ingredients. It will definitely be made often. Thank you!

    Reply ↓
    • Jeanine Donofrio
      04.17.2025

      I’m so glad you loved it!

      Reply ↓
  6. Chef Jill Miranda
    04.12.2025

    5 stars
    Perfection. I added 1 more tablespoon of oil to tsme the acidity for my kids, but so delish!!

    Reply ↓
  7. Helene
    04.03.2025

    5 stars
    This took just a few minutes with ingredients that I had in the kitchen. Fast , easy and tasty,
    Doesn’t get better than that

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.04.2025

      So glad you loved it, Helene!

      Reply ↓
  8. Heather Hannan
    03.28.2025

    5 stars
    Love love love this recipe. Delicious and was a hit at my party!

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.04.2025

      So glad it was a hit, Heather!

      Reply ↓
  9. Matt Klinger
    03.24.2025

    5 stars
    Very delicious and very quick and easy to make!!!

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.28.2025

      Hi Matt, so glad you loved the dressing!

      Reply ↓
  10. sonia
    03.08.2025

    5 stars
    Loved this, I’m a bit of a beginner and this was perfect! Easy to remember also.

    Reply ↓
  11. Dar
    02.16.2025

    5 stars
    This is now my go to dressing recipe, I have it on hand at all times!!

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      02.21.2025

      I’m so glad you love it!

      Reply ↓
  12. Patricia Lopez
    02.16.2025

    Hi, do I need to refrigerate this to keep leftovers?

    Reply ↓
    • trish
      02.16.2025

      Sorry just saw your last response!

      Reply ↓
  13. Carol
    01.23.2025

    Do we refrigerate this dressing?

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      01.24.2025

      Hi Carol, yep! It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.

      Reply ↓
  14. MH
    01.10.2025

    5 stars
    The easiest and best dressing I’ve made in a long time. We will be making this a lot!

    Reply ↓
    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      01.10.2025

      Hi, I’m so glad you loved the vinaigrette!

      Reply ↓
  15. Alicia Azar
    01.06.2025

    5 stars
    Okay I’m not great about leaving reviews for recipes but I just had to for this salad dressing! I’ve made it for three different events and every time several people have commented on how good it is and at least 1-2 people ask for the recipe. The kicker is that it takes less than 5 minutes for it to all come together! So it goes without saying that this is going to be a staple in our house moving forward. So delicious and so fresh tasting! Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply ↓
    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.08.2025

      Hi Alicia, thank you for your sweet comment, I’m glad it’s become a staple!

      Reply ↓
  16. Ramon
    12.26.2024

    I just made this dressing and it’s fantastic.

    Reply ↓
A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
SEARCH RECIPES
Search Recipes Search Recipes
breakfast  /  main-dish  /  dessert
vegan  /  gluten free
ALL RECIPES >>
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.

Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter Facebook
Various Shop Items
PRIOR POST
NEXT POST
Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook
Top Recipes
  • Healthy Breakfast Ideas
  • Easy Dinner Ideas
  • Healthy Lunch Ideas
  • Best Brunch Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Best Salad Recipes
  • Best Soup Recipes
  • Easy Appetizer Recipes
Cooking With Vegetables
  • Avocado
  • Beets
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Butternut Squash
  • Cauliflower
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • Sweet Potato
Plant-Based Cooking Basics
  • Brown Rice
  • Lentils
  • Roasted Chickpeas
  • Farro
  • Tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Quinoa
  • Zucchini Noodles
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • COOKBOOK
  • SHOP
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CONTACT
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Click here to view our privacy policy.
Copyright © 2025 Love and Lemons, LLC. All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.