Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is sweet and tangy and while it is delicious on almost any salad, it pairs especially well with salads that contain fruit.
I made it the first time to serve with this Blueberry Apple Walnut Salad, but it also works really well with the Strawberry Spinach Salad, the Grape and Candied Walnut Salad, and The Ultimate Winter Salad.
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
I’m particular about the dressings I put on my salad. Since homemade dressings are so easy to make, I rarely reach for the bottled store-bought stuff anymore.
The BEST Balsamic Vinaigrette has been one of my go-to homemade dressings for a while now. I’ve enjoyed creating spins on that recipe for different salads. Spicy Tomato Vinaigrette added so much flavor to a simple cucumber salad and Strawberry Grape Vinaigrette worked wonders on a spicy spinach salad.
For salads that contain fruit, I like my dressings to have a nice balance between sweet and tangy. When I was looking for the right dressing for a salad with blueberry, apples, and walnuts, the idea of a honey-based dressing came to mind.
I’ve never been a fan of super sweet salad dressings so a lot of honey vinaigrette dressings just don’t do it for me. This Honey Balsamic Dressing, thought? It’s as perfect as it gets.
Honey Vinaigrette
With olive oil, balsamic vinegar and just a couple spoonfuls of honey, Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is a light and refreshing dressing. It’s so good on any salad containing fruit, but I think it would also taste delicious on a simple garden salad, too.
I like to use light olive oil for this recipe. The milder flavor of this oil pairs well with the bolder taste of the vinegar and honey. That said, I’m sure it would taste good with whatever kind of olive oil you have in your cupboard!
Like I mentioned before, I prefer my salad dressings be on the tangier side without too much sweetness. If you like a sweeter dressing, feel free to add a bit more honey.
Start with the amount listed in the recipe, taste and add a half-teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired sweetness. That’s the benefit of homemade salad dressing; you can easily tinker with the recipe to suit your preferences.
Fruit Salad
Don’t forget to grab the new salad recipe I created to serve with the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette!
The Blueberry Apple Walnut Salad pictured here is loaded with apples, blueberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. A generous sprinkling of parsley adds a bright fresh taste. This salad is so good, I made it several days in a row after I shot the photos. It is now in my regular rotation.
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette will keep nicely at room temperature for a couple of weeks. You can also store in the refrigerator if that’s more your style. Just let the dressing come to room temp and shake well before drizzling it over your salad.
Honey Balsamic Dressing
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette brings rich honey and bright flavor to whatever you put it on. Try it on Strawberry Chicken Salad or this Irresistible Mandarin Broccoli Salad for a refreshing lunch or light dinner.
Once you get in the habit of mixing together your own salad dressings, you’ll be hooked. Homemade dressings have so much more flavor than the typical bottled dressing and save you some money, too!
Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe
We have dozens of salad dressing recipes I love to pair with different types of salads.
If you like creamy dressings on your salad, check out this Homemade Ranch Dressing, Poppyseed Dressing, and Bacon Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
Vinaigrette dressings are a favorite around here. You’ll love this White Balsamic Vinaigrette and this Honey Lime Jalapeño Vinaigrette for something with a little kick. Champagne Vinaigrette tastes amazing on anything, especially a Strawberry Spinach Salad.
Everyone loves Orange Citrus Vinaigrette and this Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette on a warm winter salad as well.
Orange Poppyseed Dressing is another dressing we really enjoy on fruit based salads, along with my classic Creamy Poppyseed Dressing.
For Mediterranean salad lovers, this Mediterranean Chicken Salad with Sumac Dressing and this Shake In A Jar Mediterranean Salad Dressing are both delicious options as well.
For a sweet and tangy (sure to be a favorite) salad dressing, this Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette from Mama Loves Salad works well on any number of salads.
Kitchen Tip: I use this jar to make this recipe.
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 ½ – 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small jar. Close tightly with lid and shake well to combine. Store at room temperature.
Nutrition
{originally published 3/19/18 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/24/22}
Pshyra says
Great tasting Balsamic Vinaigrette! Saving this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear that you like it!
Nancy says
Best salad dressing ever! I also use it to baste chicken when grilling and:or baking.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Nancy!
Shannon F says
I was standing in the produce department, considering buying a pricey balsamic vinaigrette dressing to top a salad I was craving. I googled and this came up. Basically three ingredients that I already have? Winner! This was absolutely perfect for my salad–spring mix and baby spinach with crumbled feta, Craisons and pecans.
Mary Younkin says
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that you like it, Shannon! That salad sounds delicious.
Sandy says
This was delicious and easy. I wanted a dressing for my salmon salad and this was perfect and I have leftovers for the future.
Judy Ledbetter says
Mary, which balsamic vinegar do you use? White, dark, aged?
Lots of good ratings but no mention of type used.
Thanks,
Judy
Mary Younkin says
This recipe uses standard dark balsamic vinegar. “Regular” or “traditional” balsamic vinegar. You could also make it with white balsamic vinegar. And while it would be delicious with aged balsamic vinegar, I’ve found that an aged vinegar doesn’t change the results enough to justify the pricier ingredient.
Elizabeth says
Thank you for sharing, Mary! This dressing is fantastic!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you love it, Elizabeth!
Tracey says
I substituted light agave for the honey and used white balsamic vinegar – same measurements as the recipe. Salad was spinach, blueberries, apples, and chicken. WOW! Definitely using this again and again!
Mary Younkin says
Your salad sounds delicious, Tracey.
Kim Barrett says
Absolutely delicious and simple! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
Thank you, Kim.
Danielle says
Very good dressing. Thank you so much. Just put it over some arugula and veggies.
Mary Younkin says
Danielle – I love this dressing on arugula, too!
Nicole E says
Yummy. Very similar to my favorite restaurant’s dressing.
Mary Younkin says
Glad you enjoy it, Nicole.
Lauren says
Hi, what happened to the recipe for the honey balsamic vinaigrette that contained, onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper? That dressing was absolutely wonderful! I see the picture of it on your recipe section, but it redirects to this page which isn’t the same. Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
Lauren – I have a couple of different versions of this dressing. I think this is the one you are looking for: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/best-balsamic-vinaigrette/
Lauren says
Thank you for the reply, but it isn’t that one. The one I’m thinking of is pureed in a blender and winds up looking more like gravy, which is why I’m assuming you photographed it in a gravy boat. You mentioned your husband loved it on the page.
Mary Younkin says
Found it for you! I’m so glad you like it, Lauren. Thanks for the reminder. I should probably reshoot this one one of these days. Sean really does love this one. https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/honey-balsamic-vinaigrette/
Kat says
This is delicious! I use it in chicken Milanese .
Mary Younkin says
That sounds delicious, Kat.
Mary says
Is this histamine diet friendly ingredients? It looks so delicious 😋! If not do you have any ?
Mary Younkin says
I am hesitant to say yes as I am not familiar with the requirements fora histamine diet.
Christina says
I’ve made this dressing twice for family and it’s been a hit! Even my husband who isn’t into dressing liked it. Thanks for sharing!
Mary Younkin says
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful comment, Christina.
Teresa says
Delicious!! I have served this for several parties and I’m always asked for the recipe.
Mary Younkin says
Happy to hear that the vinaigrette has been a hit, Teresa. Happy cooking!
Nicole B says
Easy and delicious!
Mary Younkin says
Happy to hear that you’re loving the vinaigrette, Nicole.