Name: Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar; ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil; ½ lemon, juiced and zested; 2 teaspoons honey; 1 clove garlic (whole, lightly smashed); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon dried herbs (such as tarragaon, thyme or oregano)

Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC

Updated on September 20, 2019

(15 ratings)

Total Time: 10 min

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 0 min

Servings: 12 (2 T each)

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

129 calories

14g fat

2g carbs

0g protein

Show Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 (2 T each)
Amount per serving
Calories	129
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g	18%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 99mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate 2g	1%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 2g
Includes 1g Added Sugars	2%
Protein 0g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 4mg	0%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 15mg	0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

What you drizzle on your salad is just as important as what veggies you put in it. The healthy fats and other compounds found in olives and olive oil have potent anti-inflammatory properties and provide heart healthy fats that help with nutrient absorption

Incorporating small amounts of plant based oils such as olive oil into your every day cooking and food prep is an ideal way to reap the benefits without going overboard on calories.

Ingredients

¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon, juiced and zested
2 teaspoons honey
1 clove garlic (whole, lightly smashed)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried herbs (such as tarragaon, thyme or oregano)

Preparation

In a jar or other airtight container, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
Cover container and shake well to combine.
Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

When making homemade salad dressings, it’s best to use an extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin varieties have the most flavor and are also incredibly rich in cell-protecting antioxidants.

To change up the flavors of the dressing, replace balsamic vinegar with rice wine or red wine vinegar, but you may need a touch more honey to balance out the extra acidity. Also experiment with orange or lime juice and zest in place of the lemon. Instead of dried herbs, a pinch of finely chopped parsley or tarragon will also add an extra dimension of flavor to this all-purpose salad dressing.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Toss this dressing with a pile of fresh veggies, some simple greens, or in a pasta salad. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken, pork, beef, or fish.

Since there are no preservatives, the dressing will cease up in the fridge. When ready to use, take the dressing out of the fridge and allow it to sit at room temp for 20 to 30 minutes, then shake well before serving.