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    Home » Recipes » Dressing » Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Published: May 21, 2018 · Modified: Apr 1, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

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    A glass pitcher containing brown balsamic vinaigrette, a plate of salad in the background

    When I lived in California, my friend, Sonia introduced me to a really tasty balsamic vinaigrette recipe that she used on her salads.

    I remember it was a very simple recipe, with the star of the show being Trader Joe’s Hot and Sweet Mustard.

    Unfortunately, last I checked, Trader Joe’s does not exist here in Hong Kong.

    No Trader Joe’s. No Trader Joe’s Hot and Sweet Mustard.

    Granted, I could buy a couple jars of it when I visit California and bring it back to Hong Kong with me.

    But then what would be the fun of that when I can try and figure out how to make this own my own??

    While it has been years since I had Sonia’s balsamic vinaigrette, and I can’t do a side-by-side comparison, I think my version is pretty darned good!

    It is the perfect balance of sweet, peppery, and tangy…packing a flavor punch to elevate your salad from boring to bold!

    A black plate containing sliced tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, avocado chunks, and basil leaves, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette

    I love drizzling it over a Caprese salad…sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves. And just for the record, I like sliced avocado in my version of Caprese salad because avocado just makes everything better! It is fabulously yummy!

    Balsamic vinaigrette drizzled over a fried egg and roasted vegetables

    Another dish that benefits from this balsamic vinaigrette? Fried eggs over roasted vegetables. This is one of my husband’s favorite dishes, and he loves the dressing drizzled on top. It makes an already tasty dish even better!

    This is also the dressing I use for my Spring Balsamic Avocado Feta Salad...avocados and feta and pine nuts and dried cranberries and tender leafy greens with this vinaigrette?? FAA-bulous!

    Did I mention that this vinaigrette comes together in 5 minutes? Yes, really!

    Balsamic vinaigrette being poured over a salad of avocado, feta, pine nuts, and lettuce greens

    All you need are some basic pantry ingredients and in a few minutes, you’ve got a fabulous and flavorful versatile dressing. There is simply no excuse to spend money on store-bought balsamic vinaigrette when you can make it cheaply, easily, and simply in your own kitchen!

    ~ Lisa.

    Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette

    This balsamic vinaigrette packs the perfect flavor balance of sweet, peppery, and tangy in this versatile and tasty salad dressing!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: balsamic, dressing, vinaigrette
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Makes: 1 cup
    Author: Lisa from A Day in the Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 3 tbs dijon mustard
    • 4 teaspoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 8 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
    • 6 tbs balsamic vinegar

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients and mix well with a whisk.
    • Adjust the amounts of honey, salt, and pepper as needed, according to taste.
    • Store any leftover vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    • For a stronger peppery flavor, add more black pepper to the dressing, ¼ teaspoon at a time.
    • Perfect for drizzling over a fresh Caprese Salad (sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves)!
    • Also tastes great drizzled over oven-roasted vegetables or fried eggs!
    • Mix it with some mayo and use it as a sandwich spread!
    • Leftover dressing keeps for at least one week in the fridge.
    • This recipe can easily be halved.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @dayinthekitchen or tag #adayinthekitchen!

    If you make this recipe, share your photo on Facebook or Instagram and tag me @dayinthekitchen!


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    A closeup of balsamic vinaigrette in a glass pitcher next to a salad in a white plate

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole | What She Ate

      May 31, 2018 at 4:25 am

      5 stars
      This is the kind of dressing that would have me eating nothing but salads all day, everyday. Yum!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        May 31, 2018 at 7:32 am

        That's how I feel sometimes...I just want a salad everyday with this dressing!

        Reply
    2. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      May 30, 2018 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      Balsamic vinaigrette is my favorite dressing for salads, but I've never tried making my own. I definitely need to change that and give this recipe a try!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        May 31, 2018 at 7:31 am

        It's so easy to make, Leanne...I think you'll always want to make your own after trying this out!

        Reply
    3. Cathy

      May 30, 2018 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a wonderful looking salad dressing! I must try this.

      Reply
    4. Nathalie

      May 30, 2018 at 4:20 am

      It's a good "passe-partout" dressing ! The light in your picture is beautiful. Good job!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        May 30, 2018 at 8:40 am

        Thanks for the kind words, Nathalie!

        Reply
    5. Elaine

      May 29, 2018 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      It's always great to have a few favourite dressing recipes in your repertoire--and this is certainly one that everyone should have!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        May 30, 2018 at 8:39 am

        Thanks, Elaine! It is definitely a favorite of mine!

        Reply
    6. Carolyn Hetke

      May 29, 2018 at 1:53 am

      The dressing sounds good but your photos just jump off the page... I am soooo hungry right now!!!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        May 30, 2018 at 8:38 am

        Thanks, Carolyn!

        Reply

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    I cook up big ideas in my small kitchen in Hong Kong! My recipes are big on healthy eating, real food, and international flavors that you can create in any size kitchen. I also specialize in gluten-free cooking and baking, demystifying gluten-free and showing you how easy and delicious it can be!

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