This straightforward balsamic French dressing takes minutes to make with simply 4 easy components. It’s candy and tangy, good for salads or grain bowls!
Once I first began studying to prepare dinner, I nonetheless bear in mind the “aha” second of realizing I may make salad dressing at dwelling. That straightforward do-it-yourself balsamic French dressing tasted brisker and extra vibrant than something I’d ever purchased bottled, and it took me lower than 5 minutes to make.
Now this 4-ingredient recipe has turn out to be my absolute go-to dressing. I’ve spent over a decade perfecting this recipe, and it’s one which our family and friends continuously request! It transforms all the things from strawberry salad to roasted greens to grain bowls all through the week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Right here’s why I this you’ll love this recipe:
- Simply 4 easy components: Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup are all you want
- Prepared in 5 minutes: Sooner than driving to the shop for a bottle
- Completely balanced taste: Candy and tangy with simply the correct quantity of acidity
- Stays emulsified: The Dijon mustard retains it creamy and prevents separation
5-Star Reader Opinions




“Made for a ladies’ weekend, and salad and dressing acquired rave opinions. Simple to place collectively and attractive every time we used it. Will certainly make once more.” -Cyn




“This actually is the most effective balsamic French dressing! Made it final evening to go along with your beet and goat cheese salad, and everybody raved. And my household isn’t that keen on salad, in order that’s a fairly good endorsement.” -Josianne
Ingredient Notes
I’ve realized that with so few components, high quality issues. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Aged balsamic vinegar: The standard of your balsamic does make a distinction! I like to recommend a mid-priced industrial grade balsamic vinegar, often known as balsamic vinegar of Modena (IGP). It has that good stability of tangy and candy flavors with out breaking the financial institution (search for bottles within the $8-15 vary). Conventional aged balsamic (DOP) is just too costly for mixing into dressing, and the most cost effective condiment-grade variations lack depth.
- Dijon mustard: This ingredient provides tangy taste and helps the dressing to turn out to be thick and creamy, locking within the emulsion. This system works in lots of different French dressing salad dressing recipes, like this Italian dressing recipe.
- Maple syrup or honey: I want actual maple syrup for its advanced taste, however honey works superbly too. Begin with 1 tablespoon for a extra savory dressing, or use 2 for one thing sweeter (good for fruit salads).
- Further virgin olive oil: Use a very good high quality olive oil that you simply benefit from the style of by itself. You can substitute avocado oil for a extra impartial taste, however I really like the fruity notes {that a} good olive oil brings (plus, it’s one of many healthiest cooking oils).

The best way to Make Balsamic French dressing Dressing
Making do-it-yourself balsamic French dressing is surprisingly easy, however the method issues for getting it correctly emulsified. Right here’s my foolproof methodology (or go to the full recipe):

Step 1: Begin by whisking collectively the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, and in a medium bowl. Make certain your bowl has sufficient room for vigorous whisking: you want area for the whisk to actually transfer.

Step 2: Right here’s the important thing to good emulsification: add your olive oil step by step, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously after every addition. This sluggish addition lets the mustard work its magic, binding the oil and vinegar right into a creamy dressing.

Step 3: Take pleasure in on the salad of your alternative!
Professional tip: You too can use the jar-shake methodology once you’re in a rush. Add all components to a mason jar, seal tightly, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. The confined area creates agitation, serving to all the things emulsify shortly. Plus, you may retailer it proper within the jar.
In case your French dressing does separate after storing, merely re-whisk or shake it again collectively. The Dijon mustard makes it straightforward to re-emulsify. For greatest outcomes, let it come to room temperature first.
Methods to Use It
This balsamic French dressing recipe is extremely versatile: it’s extra than simply salad dressing! Listed here are my favourite methods to make use of it:
- On Inexperienced Salads: Drizzle over spinach salad, butter lettuce salad, radicchio salad, arugula salad or endive salad. It’s particularly good on beet salad or candy potato salad the place the sweetness enhances the earthy greens.
- On Fruit-Primarily based Salads: It’s scrumptious on apple salad, strawberry salad, apple walnut salad, or pear salad.
- As a Marinade: This dressing doubles as a wonderful marinade for grilled hen or baked tofu. Marinate for half-hour to 2 hours earlier than grilling or roasting.
- Roasted Greens: Toss with balsamic Brussels sprouts or drizzle over any roasted greens over the past 5 minutes of cooking.
- Grain Bowls: It makes an instantaneous sauce for a farro bowl, energy bowl or rice bowl.

The best way to Retailer
Retailer your do-it-yourself balsamic French dressing in an hermetic container (I usually use a mason jar) within the fridge for to 2 to three weeks. The olive oil will solidify when chilly, which is completely regular. Let the dressing sit at room temperature a couple of minutes earlier than utilizing, then give it a very good shake or whisk to re-emulsify.
Don’t attempt to freeze vinaigrettes: the feel of the emulsion received’t come again collectively correctly when thawed. Because it solely takes 5 minutes to make, it’s simpler to make a recent batch.
For those who discover separation throughout storage, that’s regular! Simply shake or whisk earlier than every use.
Dietary notes
This balsamic French dressing recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Steadily requested questions
This do-it-yourself model is far more healthy than store-bought choices. It comprises heart-healthy olive oil, no preservatives or synthetic components, and also you management the quantity of sweetener.
place to begin is a 3:1 ratio of oil to vinegar. You possibly can modify this to your style desire – extra vinegar for a tangier dressing, extra oil for a milder taste.
Completely! This dressing makes a wonderful marinade. The acid within the vinegar helps tenderize meat whereas the oil retains it moist throughout cooking. For hen, marinate for half-hour to 2 hours. For harder cuts of beef or pork, you may marinate as much as 24 hours.
Sure, the standard of your balsamic vinegar considerably impacts the ultimate taste. Search for Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (IGP) within the $8-15 vary for the most effective outcomes. Keep away from the most cost effective bottles (below $5) which are sometimes simply wine vinegar with caramel coloring and added sweeteners. Save costly conventional balsamic (DOP) for drizzling.
Balsamic French dressing
This straightforward balsamic French dressing recipe makes use of solely 4 components (plus salt) and whips up in minutes! With its stability of candy, tangy, and savory, it would turn out to be your go-to salad dressing. Ditch retailer purchased dressing for good!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Whole Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About ½ cup
- Class: Salad Dressing
- Technique: Whisked
- Delicacies: American
- Weight loss program: Vegan
Components
- 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 tablespoons* pure maple syrup or honey
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and salt till totally mixed.
- Regularly whisk within the olive oil, including 1 tablespoon at a time and whisking till it incorporates, till an emulsion types.* Serve instantly. Retailer refrigerated and produce to room temperature earlier than serving (retains not less than 2 weeks).
Notes
*For those who’re on the lookout for a balsamic dressing on the candy facet for salads like a strawberry salad, use 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup. For a balsamic dressing with extra savory notes, use 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup.
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Extra Selfmade Dressings to Strive
- Selfmade Ranch Dressing
- Caesar Dressing
- Inexperienced Goddess Dressing
- Italian Dressing,
- Primarily based French dressing




