Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 07, 2021, Updated Feb 22, 2024

5 from 10 votes

35 Comments

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This maple balsamic vinaigrette dressing is made in 2 minutes with 5 ingredients. It’s the most delicious dressing and it’s so much better than store-bought (with no artificial ingredients). Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free & vegan.

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2)

Today I’m sharinghow to make this healthy & delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe! This dressing literally takes 3 minutes to make and only contains five ingredients. It’s a healthy and delicious way to make any salad taste amazing.

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (3)

Why Should you Make Homemade Salad Dressing?

  • No Chemicals.We eat a lot of salad in this house. As a result, I make this dressing all the time. It adds richflavor to your salad while skippingall the chemicals & sugars found in many store-bought dressings.
  • Nutritious.This Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette is made using healthy oil, natural sweetener, and high-quality balsamic vinegar. It is completely dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan & paleo.
  • Easy & Convenient.Once you give this a try & see just how easy it is to make your own dressing at home…you will never have to worry aboutrunning to the store for the bottled stuff ever again.
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Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette: Ingredients & Substituions

This Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette is my favorite dressing. However, I do have to pause for a moment to implore you to use high-quality ingredients when making this recipe.

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  • Balsamic Vinegar.Thereis a differencebetweenexcellent balsamic vinegar and your run-of-the-mill varieties. As I’ve discussed before, traditional balsamic vinegar should be so thick that it pours like syrup. It should be dark brown and taste sweet.It should most definitelyNOTbe thin, watery, or sour-tasting.My absolute favorite balsamic vinegar in the entire world can be found here. If you haven’t tried true, aged, high-quality balsamic vinegar yet, please please give it a whirl. You will NOT be disappointed.
  • Olive oil.The same holds true for high-quality olive oil. One way I enjoy mixing this recipe up is using flavor-infused olive oils instead of plain. They really add an extra special flavor.
  • Mustard.Any variety of mustard works well in this recipe.
  • Maple syrup.Pure maple syrup is my favorite way to sweeten this homemade salad dressing recipe, because it really imparts a beautiful flavor. However honey is also a great choice.

How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette

This recipe is really easy to make. Simply put the ingredients in a glass jar, secure the lid and shake it up. Here are the steps, don’t forget to watch the video, too.

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Begin by putting the ingredients into a glass jar with a lid.

In these photos I used a regular glass jar, however I have thisSalad Dressing Mixer Jar and I love it! It is almost always sitting in my fridge with some variety of homemade dressing (like this Greek dressing or pomegranate dressing) or another (usually this balsamic vinaigrette).

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One the ingredients are in the jar, secure the lid and shake it up. The ingredients will separate as it sits so you’ll need to shake it up before serving.

Store

Store this balsamic vinaigrette in a glass container in the refrigerator. It keeps for up to a month in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Make sure to remove it from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving, then give it a good shake to re-incorporate all the ingredients (which can separate when chilled).

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Serve

There is not resting or waiting time needed between mixing and serving. You can pour this balsamic vinaigrette over your favorite salad right away, or store it to serve later. Here are some of our favorite salads:

  • Balsamic caprese quinoa salad
  • The best kale salad.
  • Brussels sprouts salad – so yummy.
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Recipe FAQs

Is balsamic vinaigrette healthy?

Yes! Balsamic vinaigrette contains very little sugar and fats.

Is there a difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette?

Yes! Balsamic vinaigrette has more ingredients and is sweeter.

Does balsamic vinegar need to be refrigerated?

Store this balsamic vinaigrette in one of the aforementioned glass containers in the refrigerator. It keeps for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, although it never lasts that long in my house.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

I find that this recipe makes enough for a medium-sized crowd. But if you are serving more people, it is very easy to double or even triple this maple balsamic vinaigrette recipe.

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Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (11)

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (12)

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Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Laura

This maple balsamic vinaigrette dressing is made in 2 minutes with 5 ingredients. It's the most delicious dressing and it's so much better than store-bought (with no artificial ingredients). Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free & vegan.

5 from 10 votes

Course condiment, Salad

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 77.4

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Total Time5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add ingredients into a glass container or jar (with a lid) in the order listed.

  • Shake jar vigorously until completely combined.

  • Serve on your favorite salad or store in the refrigerator to use later!

Video

Notes

Ingredients Substitutions

  • Balsamic Vinegar. Good balsamic vinegar is thick and it pours like syrup. It should be dark brown and taste sweet. It should notbe thin, watery, or sour-tasting.My absolute favorite balsamic vinegar in the entire world can be found here.
  • Olive oil.The same holds true for high-quality olive oil. One way I enjoy mixing this recipe up is using flavor-infused olive oils instead of plain. They really add an extra special flavor.
  • Mustard.Any variety of mustard works well in this recipe.
  • Maple syrup.Pure maple syrup is my favorite way to sweeten this homemade salad dressing recipe, because it really imparts a beautiful flavor. However honey is also a great choice.

Store

Store this balsamic vinaigrette in a glass container in the refrigerator. It keeps for up to a month in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Make sure to remove it from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving, then give it a good shake to re-incorporate all the ingredients (which can separate when chilled).

Double/Tripling the Recipe

I find that this recipe makes enough for a medium-sized crowd. But if you are serving more people, it is very easy to double or even triple this maple balsamic vinaigrette recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 77.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 0.1mg | Sugar: 3.3g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Panzanella Salad Recipe

Greek Salad Dressing

Kale Salad Recipe

Burrata Salad

Pomegranate Dressing (Pomegranate Vinaigrette)

Ranch Dressing Mix (Ranch Seasoning)

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you do with maple balsamic vinegar? ›

You can use Vermont Maple Balsamic Vinegar almost anywhere you use maple syrup. Think pancakes, waffles yogurt, and oatmeal. Drizzling it over ice cream or bread pudding, use it in cakes and frosting, toss fruit in it, glaze pork (especially bacon, pork chops, and ham), and more!

How many calories are in a maple balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
165Calories
16gFat
5gCarbs

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

12 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Homemade Vinaigrette
  • Estimating measurements for all ingredients. inspiredbyart/Shutterstock. ...
  • Using the wrong oil. ...
  • Using the wrong vinegar. ...
  • Leaving out the emulsifier. ...
  • Skipping the mustard. ...
  • Forgetting to check expiration dates. ...
  • Not using fresh herbs. ...
  • Using vinaigrette only on salad.
Aug 18, 2022

What is in President's Choice balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Ingredients: water, soybean oil, balsamic vinegar (wine vinegar, cookedgrape must, concentrated grape juice, caramel colour, sulphites),balsamic vinegar reduction (wine vinegar, concentrated grape must,caramel colour, natural flavour, sulphites), sugar, extra virgin oliveoil, salt, herbs and spice, garlic, citric acid, ...

What is best to pair with balsamic vinegar? ›

One way to get the most flavor out of your balsamic vinegar is to splash some on a slice of cheese. Balsamic tastes the best when it's paired with something creamy. A good slice of cheese is no exception to this rule. The tartness of the balsamic is a nice addition to the sweetness of the peaches.

Does balsamic vinegar go bad? ›

We can say that aged balsamic vinegar has an indefinite shelf life. However, it would be convenient to use the product once opened, within two to three years, and the one that has yet to be opened, within five years. After that time, its color may change, and the flavor will no longer be as bright and fresh as before.

Why is balsamic vinaigrette so high in calories? ›

Typically the healthiest salad dressings are those that are oil-based, because they are made with heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, nut oils, and canola oil. However, because the standard ratio to making a vinaigrette is three parts oil to one part vinegar, even the healthiest salad dressings are high in calories.

Is balsamic vinaigrette healthy to eat? ›

Improves digestion and gut health

The enzymes in balsamic vinegar help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, making this an excellent addition to any diet plan. Protein – Balsamic vinegar helps with protein digestion by breaking down the amino acids and making them more absorbable by your body.

Is balsamic vinaigrette the healthiest dressing? ›

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Martin says, "It's got a hint of sweetness with little to no added sugar and is packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats." Plus, the lack of sugar can be good for those looking to lose weight in particular, as well as for those on low-sugar and low-carb diet plans.

How do you know if homemade vinaigrette is bad? ›

According to Reader's Digest, oil-based salad dressings, such as a balsamic vinaigrette or Italian dressing, tend to last longer than mayo-based dressings. In general, these dressings can last for up to a few weeks (via Know Your Pantry). However, once they've expired, they will give off a noticeable rancid smell.

What does vinaigrette do to your body? ›

Supports Blood Sugar Regulation

Aged Balsamic vinegar has shown potential in supporting blood sugar regulation. Studies suggest that it may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the glycemic response after a meal. Overall, aged balsamic vinegar is a flavorful and healthful addition to any vinaigrette dressing.

What's the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette? ›

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.

Which vinegar would give the most flavor to a vinaigrette? ›

Red wine vinegar

It has a sharp tang and a relatively strong flavor profile, making it a good choice for more robust salads as well as meat marinades. This vinegar will also impart a pink hue to other ingredients, which you may or may not want, so keep that in mind when cooking with it.

How do you consume balsamic vinegar? ›

While balsamic is mostly associated with savory dishes, it can be the perfect complement to certain kinds of desserts, namely fruits and also vanilla-flavored dishes. You can use the balsamic vinegar on its own, or sweeten it up by mixing it with sugar and reducing it on the stovetop until it becomes a syrup.

Do you put balsamic vinegar on before or after cooking? ›

Do use it as a finishing flavor. Whether its vegetables or meat, balsamic shines when its flavor hasn't been overheated. If you want to use it to finish a pork filet or a nice risotto, add it right at the end of the cooking time. Add about a teaspoon per person.

Is balsamic vinegar the same as balsamic syrup? ›

Balsamic vinegar offers a blend of sweetness, acidity, and woody undertones in a liquid form, ideal for dressings, marinades, and salads. In contrast, balsamic glaze is thicker and syrupy, with sweetness from added sugars and a rapid reduction process.

How do you eat fancy balsamic vinegar? ›

How you get the best out your precious Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
  1. Balsamic on Gelato. Vanilla Gelato at Osteria Francescana. ...
  2. Salad with Balsamic. Roasted Radicchio, Speck and Balsamic Salad. ...
  3. Risotto Parmigiano and Balsamic. ...
  4. With Parmigiano Reggiano. ...
  5. Balsamic Vinegar as a Digestive.
Feb 5, 2018

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