Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette? ›

Give steak, chicken, fish, tofu, or olives a bold and tangy flavor profile by using balsamic vinaigrette as a quick and easy marinade option. The longer you let your favorite protein soak up the flavors, the better!

- Add some sugar or honey to the dish. Sugar and honey can counteract the sourness of vinegar and add some sweetness to the dish. You can start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.

Balsamic vinegar: Makes a bold, slightly sweet dressing that is wonderful on green salads with fruit, such as apples, strawberries or peaches. Red wine vinegar: Packs a punch and works well with other bold flavors and bright veggies, like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, cabbage and more (think Greek salads).

If the mixture is too acidic, thin it out with a bit more olive oil or balance the flavors with a little more maple syrup or honey. If the mixture is a little blah, add another pinch or two of salt. If it doesn't have enough zing, add vinegar by the teaspoon.

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

2 Ingredients: The basics

Traditional vinaigrette recipes call for a ratio of three parts oil to one part vinegar. However, some people—like me—prefer their dressings to pack more punch and choose a 2:1 oil-to-vinegar ratio.

An emulsifier is used in a vinaigrette to stabilize the oil and vinegar. Common emulsifiers include egg yolks, soy lecithin, and mustard. These ingredients all include lecithin--the stabilizing compound. In many vinaigrettes, mustard is the go-to stabilizer.

How Long Does Homemade Vinaigrette Last? Traditional vinaigrettes, like the balsamic version listed below, will last longer—sometimes up to a few weeks. However, anything with fresh garlic should be consumed within a few days, as the combination of garlic and oil can form harmful bacteria over time.

A Splash Of Water Makes A Smoother-Tasting Vinaigrette

Most ingredients in salad dressings, especially vinaigrettes, bring pretty strong flavors — vinegar, citrus, herbs, onions, garlic, and so on. Adding a touch of water won't suppress all those flavors, it'll just tone down the acidic bite.

What do Italians put balsamic vinegar on? ›

Versatility. Balsamic vinegar belongs to the local culinary tradition. Families from Modena use the less aged one daily on meat or vegetables, in salads, or on ice cream, for example.

If you're using balsamic vinegars primarily for salads and like them chilled, they can be refrigerated. If you're using them for sauces, marinades, and reductions, store them in a cupboard.

Balsamic Vinegar pairs well with hard aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano or aged Goudas. Drizzle Balsamic Vinegar over cheese or dip a piece of cheese in a small bowl of Balsamic Vinegar for the best balance of flavors.

Increase the red wine vinegar to the dressing to decrease the sweetness. Start with small amount and mix it in. Then taste if it is still sweeter than you like add a little more, until you achieve the taste you like. You could just reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Dressing that is too sweet can be evened out with something savory, such as soy sauce, capers, miso, and tahini. Garlic Delight recommends tasting the dressing as you go to prevent making the mix too sugary.

Sugar, just like salt, is a crucial component to vinaigrette — dressings can taste harsh or overpowering if not seasoned correctly. A touch of sweetness mellows the vinaigrette and helps balance the flavors. We recommend using sweeteners that are already in liquid form to make sure they completely dissolve.