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    Home » What We're Eating » Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Published: Sep 16, 2018 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long vertical collage of homemade healthy balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
    Bottle of balsamic vinaigrette with text overlay

    This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Italian Trade Commission / The Extraordinary Italian Taste. All opinions are 100% mine.

    This Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette is a simple homemade salad dressing that's ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes! The combination of Italian Extra Virgin olive oil, Italian Balsamic Vinegar, honey, garlic, and Dijon mustard, creates an authentic recipe that will soon become a staple in your kitchen.

    Glass bottle of homemade Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing

    Once you realize how fast, easy, and delicious this healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe tastes, you will never go back to the store-bought version again! It's fresh, rich, flavorful and has just the right amount of tang and sweetness.

    Healthy balsamic vinaigrette recipe with a bowl of mixed greens in the background

    HOW DO YOU MAKE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE DRESSING?

    This is really just a 1-step, 5-minute recipe, but I want to highlight the simple ingredients that you'll need: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, Extra Virgin olive oil imported from Italy (Olio Toscano PGI), minced or pressed garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

    When using minimal ingredients, it's important to choose the finest, highest quality options. That's why I recommend using authentic, Italian-imported goods for the best result. There's truly no substitute for Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO or Extra Virgin olive oil imported from Italy (Olio Toscano PGI)!

    Ingredients for honey balsamic vinaigrette

    Check the label to be sure that you’re purchasing genuine products from Italy. Just because they look Italian, doesn’t mean that they are Italian!

    True balsamic vinegar is incredibly complicated and painstaking to make, and there are 3 kinds of certified balsamic vinegars: Balsamic Vinegar from Modena PGI, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena PDO, and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Reggio-Emilia PDO. The Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, which I use here, is produced using only cooked grapes that go through a slow acidification phase derived from natural fermentation. This way it progressively thickens and becomes concentrated -- much different from the imitations that you readily find on the market.

    But that's not all! The balsamic vinegar is then aged using smaller and smaller barrels made from different types of wood, giving the balsamic vinegar layers of flavor without any aromatic substances. Cool, right?! No wonder it's so good!

    Similarly, a true extra virgin olive oil imported from Italy (Olio Toscano PGI) is a far cry from the cheaper imitations at your local grocery store. It's recognizable by its medium-flow fluidity, by the olive, grass, fruit and vegetable aromas.

    A good quality olive oil should have a bitter, spicy taste. The Olio Toscano PGI and the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO truly create the thickest, richest, and most delicious Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette.

    5 basic ingredients for homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing

    And it couldn't be easier! Just whisk everything together and use immediately or refrigerate until you're ready to enjoy.

    I like a ratio of 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar in this recipe. It yields the perfect thick consistency and the best taste!

    Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette in a glass measuring jar with whisk

    For serving, I typically just keep the salad very simple with a bowl full of fresh mixed greens.

    You can obviously use any lettuce or greens that you love, and add in as many "extras" as you like. Sweet, juicy red tomatoes, toasted nuts, or shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese are all great!

    Salad bowl full of fresh mixed greens

    Drizzle and serve!

    Pouring balsamic vinaigrette on salad

    COOK'S TIPS:

    • Make sure that you finely mince, press or grate your garlic. You don't want any big chunks of garlic floating around in your dressing.
    • Prep ahead! You can make a batch of this honey balsamic vinaigrette and keep it in your refrigerator for at least 1 week.
    • Don't forget to check the label to make sure that you're purchasing genuine products from Italy. Trust me, the superior flavor, taste and texture is well worth the slight premium price of these imported goods. They will make the difference between a thin, flavorless, runny salad dressing and a thick, robust, rich balsamic vinaigrette!

    Jar of balsamic vinaigrette with fresh vegetables and herbs in background

    It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to taste amazing — especially when you’re working with the finest Italian ingredients.

    Discover more about the never ending journey through the unique and authentic Italian flavors!

    Print Pin

    Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette

    This Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette is a simple homemade salad dressing that's ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword Balsamic Vinaigrette, Salad Dressing Recipe, Vinaigrette Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 20 tablespoons
    Calories 81kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO
    • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil imported from Italy (Olio Toscano PGI)
    • 3 cloves garlic minced, pressed, or grated
    • 2 Tablespoons honey
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • For serving: mixed greens

    Instructions

    • Whisk (or shake) together all ingredients until completely combined.

    Notes

    COOK'S TIPS:

    • Make sure that you finely mince, press or grate your garlic. You don't want any big chunks of garlic floating around in your dressing.
    • Prep ahead! You can make a batch of this honey balsamic vinaigrette and keep it in your refrigerator for at least 1 week.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 5mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Billy

      October 15, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      Love that this includes dijon mustard! Can't wait to make this the next time I hit the grocery store. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 15, 2018 at 4:25 pm

        Thanks so much, Billy! Enjoy!

        Reply

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