Unlock the secret to vibrant, flavorful salads and dishes with this incredibly simple and delicious balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Crafted from just a few everyday pantry staples, this real food recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their meals with healthy, wholesome ingredients. It’s perfectly suited for everything from crisp green salads and hearty grain bowls to savory roasted vegetables, offering a burst of tangy-sweet goodness. Best of all, it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and completely free from refined sugars, making it an ideal choice for a clean eating lifestyle.

Are you tired of store-bought salad dressings that come loaded with questionable ingredients like refined oils, excessive added sugars, emulsifying gums, and artificial preservatives? It’s time to bid them farewell! This homemade balsamic vinaigrette offers a fresher, healthier, and far more delicious alternative that’s surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen.

When you’re committed to clean eating, swapping out pre-made dressings for homemade versions is one of the simplest yet most impactful changes you can make. Not only are homemade dressings incredibly straightforward to prepare, requiring minimal effort and no fancy equipment, but they are also significantly more budget-friendly than their store-bought counterparts. You control every ingredient, ensuring only the best goes into your body.

This particular balsamic vinaigrette recipe takes merely 5 minutes to prepare from start to finish. We’re confident you already have most, if not all, of the essential ingredients waiting in your pantry or fridge, ready to be transformed into this delightful dressing.

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Why This Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Is Your New Go-To

This isn’t just another dressing; it’s a simple culinary tool that enhances your healthy eating journey. Here’s why this balsamic vinaigrette recipe stands out:

• Effortlessly Easy: Forget complicated techniques or specialized kitchen gadgets. This dressing is ready in under 5 minutes with just a mason jar and a good shake, or a bowl and a whisk. It’s truly that simple, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu meal prep.
• Pantry Power: You likely won’t need a special trip to the grocery store. All the core ingredients – quality balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, a touch of honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and salt – are common kitchen staples, making it accessible and convenient.
• Real Food Integrity: Unlike many commercial dressings that hide refined oils (like soybean or canola oil), artificial sweeteners, gums for texture, and synthetic preservatives, our recipe celebrates whole, unprocessed ingredients. You get pure flavor and genuine nutrition without any hidden nasties.
• Unmatched Versatility & Customization: This humble balsamic vinaigrette is a culinary chameleon! It complements a vast array of dishes, from a simple mixed greens salad to elaborate grain bowls, and pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables. The best part? Its flavor profile is incredibly adaptable. Want it a little sweeter to balance tart berries in a salad? Add more honey. Craving a bolder, tangier kick for your grilled chicken? Increase the balsamic vinegar. It’s your kitchen, your rules!
• Health Benefits Galore: Made with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and antioxidant-rich balsamic vinegar, this dressing contributes positively to your diet. When you make it yourself, you avoid the inflammatory oils and sugars often found in store-bought options.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette

For a complete list of exact ingredients and precise amounts, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down the page. Here are some detailed notes to guide you in selecting the best quality ingredients for an exceptional dressing.

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• Balsamic Vinegar: The star of the show! For the best flavor, opt for a good quality balsamic vinegar, ideally one labeled “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” with either IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) or DOP (Denominazione d’Origine Protetta) certification. These certifications ensure the vinegar’s authenticity and adherence to traditional production methods, guaranteeing a richer, more complex flavor. A higher quality balsamic will offer a balance of sweetness and acidity that truly shines.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: The base of any great vinaigrette. I personally favor the robust, sometimes peppery flavor of a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for this dressing, as it adds depth and character. However, if you prefer a milder taste or have dietary restrictions, unrefined avocado oil can be an excellent substitute. Just be aware that it will result in a less assertive flavor profile. Always choose cold-pressed, unrefined oils for maximum nutritional benefits and flavor.
• Honey (or Pure Maple Syrup): Our natural sweetener of choice. Honey adds a lovely depth and balances the acidity of the vinegar beautifully. If you need this recipe to be vegan-friendly, pure maple syrup is an excellent 1:1 substitute that maintains the natural sweetness without compromising flavor. Look for raw, unfiltered honey for the best quality and nutritional value.
• Dijon Mustard: More than just a flavor enhancer, Dijon mustard plays a crucial role as a natural emulsifier. It helps to bind the oil and vinegar together, preventing them from separating too quickly and creating a smoother, creamier consistency. Its distinct tangy and slightly spicy notes also add a wonderful complexity to the dressing.
• Fine Sea Salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Fine sea salt dissolves easily and distributes evenly throughout the dressing, ensuring every bite is perfectly seasoned. Freshly ground black pepper is also a welcome addition for an extra layer of flavor.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Balsamic Vinaigrette

Creating this homemade dressing is incredibly straightforward and a true breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfectly emulsified and flavorful vinaigrette every time:

1. Combine Ingredients: Gather all your measured ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and fine sea salt. Add them all into a clean mason jar (a 12-16 oz jar works perfectly) or a small mixing bowl.
2. Emulsify:
   • If using a mason jar: Secure the lid tightly. Then, vigorously shake the jar for about 30-60 seconds. The goal is to thoroughly combine the oil and vinegar, which naturally want to separate. The Dijon mustard will act as an emulsifier, helping them come together into a creamy, uniform consistency. Continue shaking until the dressing appears smooth and well-blended.
   • If using a bowl: Use a whisk and whisk the ingredients together vigorously for about 1-2 minutes. Pay attention to scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated and emulsified.
3. Taste and Adjust: Once emulsified, taste a small amount of the dressing. This is your chance to customize it! If you prefer a sweeter profile, add a touch more honey. For a tangier kick, a bit more balsamic vinegar will do the trick. A pinch more salt or a grind of fresh black pepper can also enhance the overall flavor.
4. Serve or Store: Your homemade balsamic vinaigrette is now ready to use! Drizzle it over your favorite salads, roasted vegetables, or use it as a marinade.

Beyond Salads: Creative Ways to Use Balsamic Vinaigrette

This versatile dressing extends far beyond the confines of a simple green salad. Its tangy-sweet profile makes it a fantastic addition to a multitude of dishes. Get creative in your kitchen and use it as:

• A Drizzle for Roasted Vegetables: Elevate the natural sweetness of roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, asparagus, or broccoli with a generous drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette just after they come out of the oven. The warmth of the vegetables helps the dressing absorb beautifully, adding a lovely glaze and depth of flavor.
• A Flavorful Marinade: This vinaigrette makes an excellent marinade for various proteins. Use it to tenderize and flavor chicken breasts or thighs, pork tenderloin, firm fish (like salmon or cod), or even tofu before grilling, baking, or pan-searing. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
• The Perfect Dressing for Fruit-Based Salads: Its balance of sweet and tangy makes it a dream pairing for salads featuring fresh fruit. Try it on an easy strawberry and spinach salad, perhaps with crumbled feta and toasted pecans, or on a refreshing peach and goat cheese salad (like this delightful recipe).
• A Topping for Grain Bowls and Pasta Salads: Transform a simple grain bowl (quinoa, farro, brown rice) into a gourmet meal by tossing it with this vinaigrette and your favorite veggies and protein. It also works wonderfully in pasta salads, bringing a bright, zesty flavor that perfectly coats every noodle and ingredient.
• A Bruschetta Topping or Bread Dipper: Drizzle it over fresh tomato bruschetta for an extra layer of flavor, or serve it alongside crusty bread as an irresistible dipping oil before a meal.
• A Finishing Touch for Soups and Stews: A small swirl of balsamic vinaigrette over a hearty vegetable soup or a simple lentil stew just before serving can add a surprising pop of acidity and brightness that awakens the entire dish.

I personally adore it on my peach and goat cheese salad or as a delightful, tangy twist in place of other dressings in my superfood salad. The culinary options are truly endless!

Frequently Asked Questions About Balsamic Vinaigrette

Discover More Delicious Homemade Dressing Recipes

If you’ve loved the simplicity and flavor of this balsamic vinaigrette, you’re in for a treat! Explore our other favorite homemade, clean eating dressing recipes:

If you give this delightful homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing a try, we would absolutely love to hear your thoughts! Please consider leaving a star rating and/or a comment below to share your experience. And don’t forget to capture a photo of your delicious creation and share it on Instagram or Facebook, making sure to mention or tag @CleanPlateMama!

Eat Clean. Be Well!
-Sara