This simple Creamy Balsamic Dressing recipe has a shortlist of ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. All you need is mayo, balsamic and red wine vinegar, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and a quick minute to blend it all together.
There’s no shame in store-bought salad dressing. These days there are some really good ones to choose from made with squeaky-clean ingredients. Still, even the best store-bought dressing doesn’t hold a candle to making dressings from scratch. Not to mention, it can be more budget-friendly when you already have the ingredients on hand.
For instance, this homemade creamy balsamic dressing is made with real mayo, EVOO, balsamic, and red wine vinegar, plus just enough maple syrup, salt, and pepper to tie dimensional flavors together.
It’s easy to make and so downright delicious that you’ll never want to reach for a bottle of store-bought dressing again!
Best of all, this delicious creamy balsamic dressing doubles as THE BEST marinade for grilled chicken, pork, steak, and even veggie skewers!
Why You'll Love This Dressing
- It’s quick, easy, and produces an all-around better-tasting and better-for-you salad dressing than store-bought.
- It takes less than a minute to make with five basic ingredients plus salt and pepper.
- It’s not just a great salad dressing but also a delicious marinade.
- It's Paleo diet friendly made with avocado oil mayo or olive oil mayo.
What is creamy balsamic dressing made with?
- Mayo – I like Chosen Foods brand avocado oil mayo (made with a healthier fat source), but any thick, creamy mayo works. Go with your favorite here because mayo flavor does vary by brand and ingredients. Or make homemade paleo-friendly Olive Oil Mayo. You won’t regret whipping it up from scratch, as it takes this salad dressing over the top.
- Balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar – Using good bottles of vinegar results in a much better-tasting vinaigrette. Check the gourmet foods department at Home Goods for an excellent selection of vinegar and oils at a great price. I also like buying balsamic vinegar from local olive oil and vinegar shops. High-quality balsamic is rich, thick, and has more intense flavor than less expensive store-bought brands.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Again, the better your oil, the better your dressing will taste.
- Real maple syrup – For balancing sweetness, you can use sugar, honey, agave syrup, or date syrup instead of maple syrup, but the dressing will taste different.
- Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, if possible.
How To Make Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Making this creamy balsamic dressing happens in one step: add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl, whisk until smooth, and that’s it!
Recipe Tips
- Another way to combine salad dressing ingredients is by shaking them until incorporated in a blender jar or mason jar.
- The oil and vinegar will naturally begin to pull away from the mayonnaise as the dressing sits. If you notice it isn’t as cohesive as it should be, give the container a good shake before using it.
Variations
To customize – I don’t recommend deviating far from the core ingredients, but you can always enhance the dressing with garlic, shallots, Dijon mustard, and freshly chopped herbs like basil, parsley, tarragon, and dill. Or dried herb blends like Italian and Greek seasoning.
To make it lighter – If you were hoping for a creamy balsamic dressing with less fat and fewer calories, that’s easy. Simply substitute regular mayo for light mayo or blend it with Greek yogurt to slash calories and fat and boost the protein content instantly.
Serving Suggestions
The most challenging part about making this creamy balsamic is when you’re finished making it and left to decide what type of salad to use it on first. Here are some of the many delicious salads that pair nicely. Swap the dressing listed in the recipe with this one:
Storing
Some homemade dressings are okay at room temperature, but this mayo-based dressing is best kept in a glass airtight jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 5 days. If separation occurs, give the container a solid shake to recombine. Freezing isn’t recommended.
Recipe FAQs
It won’t taste exactly the same, but you can create a similar sweet and tangy flavor and thick, glossy consistency by using all red wine vinegar (so between 3-4 tablespoons total) and increasing the maple syrup to about 1 tablespoon, plus more to taste.
Absolutely. One of the best ways to make tender, flavorful flavor chicken breast, pork chops, steak tips, etc., is by soaking them in a mayo-based dressing before cooking over high heat in a pan or on the grill. The layer of extra fat on the surface helps lock in the mouthwatering juices and improves the browning on the surface.
More must-make salad dressing recipes
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Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise I often use Chosen Foods avocado oil mayo or homemade olive oil mayo. Feel free to go with your favorite brand of mayo here.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 2.5 tablespoon good quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon real maple syrup
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Serve with your favorite salad.
Notes
- Another way to combine salad dressing ingredients is by shaking them until incorporated in a blender jar or mason jar.
- The oil and vinegar will naturally begin to pull away from the mayonnaise as the dressing sits. If you notice it isn’t as cohesive as it should be, give the container a good shake before using it.
Nutrition
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jennifer F
I want to eat that salad RIGHT NOW!
Amee Livingston
Thank you for stopping by Jennifer! Hope all is well! xo~
Keto Recipes
Absolutely delicious.
This is a 5 stars recipe.
Amee Livingston
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe!
Amee Livingston
Thank you so much! Glad that you enjoyed it!