23 Tangy Recipes With Balsamic Vinegar
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Balsamic vinegar can turn even the most basic weeknight dinner on its head. Whisk it with extra-virgin olive oil and a little Dijon mustard and suddenly you have the simplest salad dressing. But that bright, bracing balsamic vinaigrette isn’t just for leafy greens. Toss it with roasted veg like brussels sprouts or carrots and parsnips to transform something plain into something downright elegant.
Balsamic vinegar can also work wonders in a marinade for chicken, pork, or tofu. You can simmer it down into a glaze to drizzle on literally anything (fish! A cheese board! Store-bought vanilla ice cream!). So don’t think of this condiment as some mere finishing touch. She’s a team player, ready to be put in at any step of the game. And the recipes below are just a small showcase of how versatile a good balsamic vinegar can truly be.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Lillian Chou2/23Caprese With Crispy Polenta Croutons
Not all Caprese salads are the same. This one gets crunch from croutons of fried premade polenta and an extra-bright balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Photo by Nisha Vora4/23Glazed Torn Beets With Pistachio Butter and Mint
Pistachio butter is everywhere these days, but most packaged versions are sweet. This homemade one goes savory and serves as a bed for roasted, balsamic-glazed root veg. Serve with sliced poached chicken breast drizzled with any remaining balsamic glaze.
Photo by Jerrelle Guy5/23Strawberry Balsamic Shortcakes
If you thought strawberries and cream were a match made in heaven, just wait until you try strawberries and balsamic glaze. Paired with olive oil biscuits (yes.), the duo makes this riff on strawberry shortcakes tangier, fruitier, and brighter. And, yes, there is also whipped cream (we’re not monsters).
Photo by Jim Henkens6/23Broccolini, Balsamic, Burrata, Amen
If burrata is out of your budget, spread ricotta—or, heck, cottage cheese—over crostini for this easy Italian-ish appetizer toast.
Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee8/23Strawberry Honey Balsamic With Black Pepper Ice Cream
We love Salt & Straw ice cream. If you can’t score a pint or scoop wherever you are, make one at home. The recipe relies on store-bought honey-sweetened balsamic vinegar, which shines with floral heat from fresh black pepper, fruity strawberries, and milky cream.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi9/23Balsamic-Glazed Salmon With Spinach, Olives, and Golden Raisins
Alison Miksch11/23Balsamic-Blackberry Crème Brûlée
Enrich Greek yogurt with sour cream and honey, then give the mixture the crème brûlée treatment: Sprinkle the tops of individual portions with sugar and broil to caramelize. The garnish? A saucy mix of blackberries (or raspberries!) marinated in tangy-sweet balsamic vinegar.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow12/23Oysters With Balsamic
No doubt the simplest recipe you’ll see on this list of recipes with balsamic vinegar—as long as you know how to shuck an oyster. Once you get those bivalves open, just spoon on a few drops of vinegar and go.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick13/23Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Roast With Scalloped Potatoes and Easy Steamed Broccoli
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop and Food Styling by Ali Nardi15/23Spiced Pork Tenderloin With Cherry-Thyme Pan Sauce
Frozen cherries and balsamic vinegar make fast friends in this sweet-and-sour pan sauce. To drive home the vibes, serve with a spinach, arugula, and goat cheese salad dressed in our favorite balsamic vinaigrette recipe.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca16/23Tangy Balsamic Pasta With Sungold Tomatoes
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott17/23Crispy Jerusalem Artichokes With Aged Balsamic
Give knobby roasted Jerusalem artichokes a glam makeover by glazing them in balsamic vinegar and melted butter. This makes an excellent side dish to grilled salmon or pork chops.
Photograph by Travis Rainey, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Sean Dooley18/23Divorce Salad
Christopher Testani19/23Ragout of Lamb and Spring Vegetables
This slow braise takes about 2½ hours, but the flavors are worth the investment. Balsamic adds an undercurrent of sweetness while picking up on the bright fruitiness of the red wine. Turnips, asparagus, and dandelion greens make it built for spring, but you could swap them out for squash and other fall or winter veggies if you like.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Sean Dooley, prop styling by Gerri Williams22/23Balsamic Mushroom and Sausage Pasta
