This Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette literally saved my marriage to salad. Confession: I’m literally addicted to ranch salad dressing. So what’s the big deal? Well I can’t have dairy…comfortably. So after years of trying to find a ranch substitute I have discovered that ranch is ranch and I just need to not have it or have the real deal and pay the consequences. There is no ranch substitute that I have found that satisfies my ranch addiction. In fact, it usually makes me want real ranch that much more.
So why in Hades am I talking about ranch dressing?
Because I needed to find a dressing that I liked just as much as ranch but was healthier and didn’t have such negative affects on my body. I LOVE the flavor of balsamic vinegar but balsamic vinaigrette is usually a little too acidic for me. As a toddler boy Mom and business owner I also need something that is fast and easy to whip up.
After years of experimenting I finally nailed it! My husband loves it and there is always a container of this in our fridge. It’s a pretty flexible recipe so you can change it up if you like and not feel like it’s getting “messed up”. I’m not a recipe gal by nature, I love to mess around with ingredients and measurements. For me a recipe is more or less an idea, inspiration, or a guideline. But I have a super close friend that always tells me , just tell me how to do it so I don’t mess it up, and that’s why we make recipes! The kitchen is your command station, run it how you like!
So let’s get down to the good stuff.
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
2/3 cup Olive oil (I like to use a “light tasting” but a flavored oil would be amazing as well. I have used basil flavored and it scrumptious!)
1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar*** (if you can find an “aged” one it really enhances the flavor and you often need less honey, bonus!)
1 Tablespoon water (optional, it will be a little thicker without it)
2-3 Tablespoons Honey (Adjust for desired sweetness)
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1/2 Tablespoon seasoning of choice (Basil is a great option, as is my Bread Winner Seasoning.)
Sea Salt and Pepper
(Makes about 1 1/2 cups)
Procedure
- Combine all ingredients in a lidded container or mini blender (I use the one I use for my shakes!)
- Shake or blend until well combined! (If using a jar, you can always use an immersion blender!)
- Season with salt and pepper, combine, and taste. Adjust as desired ( maybe it needs more honey, more seasoning, etc…)
- Enjoy!
Helpful hints
If you want to use fresh herbs in this recipe just double up!
This dressing is perfect for my Balsamic Cobb Salad!
*** I often use Dafni Aged Balsamic Vinegar and you literally don’t need any honey it is so sweet because it is aged something like 12 years. I get it twice a year when they come to our local arts festival but they sell online as well. It is seriously amazing stuff and no they aren’t paying me to say so. When I use this particular vinegar I omit the water and do a 50/50 ratio of vinegar to oil. It is THAT awesome. I would never use vinegar that generously but this is the super hero of balsamic! So be on the lookout for long aged balsamic!