This beautiful white balsamic vinaigrette is a lovely dressing for your summer salad. It adds a delightful sweet and tangy topping while letting the vibrant colors of your greens shine.
It is the simplest combination, too… made with white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of both salt and pepper.
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Originally published March 18, 2020, this recipe has been updated with fresh content and details on December 7, 2021.
As summer approaches and the girls are out of school, I am not only making lunches for myself but big serving bowls for the entire family. No complaints though – I love watching my family learn to enjoy healthy salads!
One way I keep them coming back is switching up the salad dressings.
This recipe is so easy and tasty, nobody would prefer a store bought dressing. This white balsamic vinaigrette is made with extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper.
White Balsamic Vinaigrette
It is a great dressing, quick and easy and has a longer shelf life than the average vinaigrette recipe.
I love to have quick and healthy packable lunches for day trips too. That is why I turn to this homemade salad dressing. The ingredients themselves do not have to be refrigerated and I can make up a jar and be ready for any last minute event.
This light tangy but slightly sweet dressing goes with just about anything! This recipe is always a crowd pleaser. It’s perfect for potlucks and travels well in a jar.
I feel so much better when I eat a daily salad, and with homemade dressings, I know exactly what is in it. No added ingredients!
Switch up your salad dressing with this vegan and vegetarian vinaigrette. It is also low carb, low calories and works within Paleo, Keto and Whole 30 lifestyle plans.
What Is White Balsamic Vinegar?
White balsamic vinegar is similar to the regular balsamic vinegar. It does not have that deep dark color and is not quite as sweet or syrupy.
Made from the Trebbiano grapes, white balsamic vinegar is cooked slowly under pressure to avoid a dark coloring, instead of being caramelized like regular Balsamic.
It usually is aged in uncharred wooden barrels anywhere from 1-12 years. The longer the vinegar is aged, the higher the price tag. Traditional Balsamic vinegar can be aged up to 25 years, marking another distinct difference between the two.
Why You’ll Love this White Balsamic Dressing
- Sweet and tangy
- The white balsamic will not cover up other flavors and colors like traditional balsamic with its rich brown coloring.
- Greens, bright tomatoes, and even cheeses can shine.
- This dressing also makes a delightful marinade for chicken and fish.
White Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients
One of the most amazing things about making your own fresh, preservative free White Balsamic Dressing is that it’s made with just a few simple ingredients!
- Olive Oil – A quality extra virgin olive oil will always yield the best results.
- White Vinegar – Sweet and tangy, a little bit goes a long way.
- Salt and Pepper – To Taste! I love cracks of big flakes of sea salt and peppercorn grinds.
How to Make White Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients in a small jar and shake vigorously.
- Pour over your favorite salad greens and enjoy.
Variations and Additions
The beauty of vinaigrettes, is that the vinegars can easily be substituted for your favorites, or what you have on hand on your pantry. You can also add herbs, or a creamy element to make the dressing thicker.
More Vinegars To Try
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Wine Vinegar
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
Fresh Herbs To Try
- Minced fresh garlic
- Thyme
- Basil
- Dill
- Parsley
Make it Creamy
Add a tablespoon of mustard or up to half a cup of mayo or yogurt for a creamy white balsamic vinaigrette.
- Dijon Mustard
- Mayonnaise – Learn how to make your own homemade mayonnaise!
- Regular Mustard
- Greek Yogurt
Tips
- Play around with amounts of each ingredient to see what suits your tastes.
- Love a sweeter dressing? Add a tablespoon of white granulated sugar to this vinaigrette.
- I love to shake my dressings in a cute bottle with a spout like this one, because they work for both storage and serving.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
Balsamic vinegar can be aged for as much as 25 years or more, but white balsamic vinegar is aged for much less (no more than 12).
The main difference between the two is that traditional Balsamic vinegar is a touch sweeter, with more of a syrupy consistency than white balsamic vinegar. They can generally be used interchangeably in recipes, however.
White Balsamic has a pale, golden hue, especially in comparison to traditional Balsamic vinegar. However, it’s not a true white color by any stretch!
How to Store
- Room Temperature – This basic white balsamic vinaigrette has a longer shelf life than your average dressing and can be left out at room temperature for up to a day. While the individual ingredients do not need to be refrigerated on their own, once they are opened and mixed together, opt to refrigerate for safety.
- Refrigerator – Keep this vinaigrette stored in an airtight container for up to one month in your refrigerator.
- Freezer – While a vinaigrette dressing can technically be frozen, they don’t thaw well. The ingredients will separate and it’s not recommended.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Vegan
White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a jar.
- Shake vigourously.
Tips
To Make It Creamy Add:
- Dijon Mustard
- Regular Mustard
- Greek Yogurt
Optional Herbs to Add:
- Minced fresh garlic
- Thyme
- Basil
- Dill
- Parsley
Store
It can be stored in a covered container for about 1 month in a cool, dark place. If you decide to add any fresh herbs, or dijon mustard, then refrigerating would be required.Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Thank you so much for this easy go-to dressing. I’m sure we’ll be using it all summer long. Pinning!
Made this last night. My word, so tasty. And so many options to add flavor to it!
There are so many great uses for this vinaigrette!
What an easy recipe to follow, personally love homemade dressing!
We tried this dressing on our salads tonight and it was so flavorful! We loved it, thank you!