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Light and Tangy White Balsamic Vinaigrette (5 Minutes)

DF Dairy-Free GF Gluten-Free V Vegetarian
Posted by Jess Larson on August 14th, 2024
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Simple White Balsamic Vinaigrette made with 5 staple ingredients, ready in just 5 minutes! White balsamic vinegar is pale, mild, and tangy-sweet—perfect for a light, bright salad dressing. Drizzle it over fresh, seasonal produce for a vibrant and delicious finishing touch.

Naturally Vegetarian. Easily Vegan.

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A close-up angled shot of white balsamic vinaigrette being drizzled from a spoon into a jar of dressing on a white plate atop a white marbled surface. A bottle and glass of vinegar sit in the background.
Photography by Gayle McLeod
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 0 min
Yield: 1/3 cup

White Balsamic Vinaigrette – a Light and Bright Finishing Touch for Vibrant Seasonal Salads!

Balsamic vinaigrette is a classic for a reason, and I’ve got two go-to recipes. When I want bold flavor with a touch of sweetness, my Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette is perfect for hearty salads and grain bowls.

But sometimes, a dish calls for that balsamic tang without the intense flavor—enter this Simple White Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe!

An angled overhead shot of white balsamic vinaigrette in a glass jar atop a white plate with a spoon of dressing sitting beside it. The plate is surrounded by a plate of salad, a striped cloth, a jar and glass of vinegar, and a small bowl of honey. this Recipe for Later!
Lighter in color and tangier in flavor, white balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch for any fresh salad with vibrant colors!

White balsamic vinegar offers that same tangy flavor as its darker counterparts but with a nearly colorless appearance and a lighter, less syrupy texture. It’s ideal when you want a pop of balsamic flavor without losing the vibrant colors and fresh taste of seasonal produce—think a springtime asparagus pasta, a gorgeous tomato salad, or a platter of juicy summer peaches.

Plus, this white balsamic vinegar dressing couldn’t be easier to whip up with simple pantry ingredients. Just whisk it together and drizzle it over anything that needs a beautiful pop of brightness.

More Must-Have Vinaigrette Recipes! ⇢ Love quick and simple salad dressings? Then don’t miss my Tangy Red Wine Vinaigrette, Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette, and Easy Greek Vinaigrette. They’re all made with pantry staple ingredients and ready in 5 minutes or less!

White Balsamic Vinegar – Your Pantry’s Secret Weapon!

Many folks don’t realize that balsamic vinegar comes in different varieties. But once I tasted the clean, crisp flavor of white balsamic, I was hooked!

A clear glass measuring cup of white balsamic vinegar on a white marbled surface. A bottle of white balsamic vinegar and a wooden board with dressing ingredients sit in the background.
White balsamic vinegar is a nearly colorless variety with a lighter, tangier flavor—a must-have ingredient to elevate your pantry!

White Balsamic Vinegar vs. Dark Balsamic Vinegar. ⇢ Balsamic vinegar, made from fermented grapes, is a staple in Italian cuisine. The key difference between white balsamic and its darker counterpart lies in the aging process:

  • Dark balsamic vinegar, aged in wood-fired barrels for at least 12 years, develops a thick, syrupy consistency with intense, jammy sweetness.
  • White balsamic vinegar, made from overripe grapes and aged in white oak barrels for about a year, is lighter in both color and texture with a tangier sweetness.

Because of this, white balsamic vinegar is perfect for preserving the vibrant colors and delicate flavors of fresh ingredients. While darker, aged balsamic can overpower hyper-seasonal produce, white balsamic’s light, acidic sweetness enhances the natural flavors and crisp textures of ripe tomatoes and juicy peaches without overshadowing them.

Simple Recipe Substitute! ⇢ Can’t find white balsamic in the condiments aisle at your grocery store? Swap it out with a good rice wine vinegar for similar light, zingy sweetness.

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How to Make Homemade White Balsamic Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette comes together in 5 minutes or less—it couldn’t be easier!

An overhead shot of ingredients displayed on a wooden board and a white marbled surface: garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, white balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
This recipe starts with 5 ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey.

Easy Recipe Variation. ⇢ For a vegan white balsamic vinaigrette, swap the honey with pure maple syrup or agave nectar.

An overhead shot of vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a glass bowl atop a white marble surface. Dishes of honey and Dijon mustard sit alongside the bowl.
Simply add all of the ingredients to a bowl…
An overhead shot of a whisk stirring a glass bowl of white balsamic dressing on a white marbled surface alongside dishes of honey and Dijon mustard.
…and whisk to combine well. For an extra-creamy vinaigrette, use an immersion blender or high-speed blender to emulsify the mixture.
An angled shot of a spoonful of white balsamic vinaigrette being held over a small jar of dressing on a white marbled surface. Garlic and a glass of vinegar sit in the background.
The vinaigrette is ready once it emulsifies into a smooth mixture. Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Serving Suggestions

This white balsamic dressing pairs perfectly with delicate spring and summer produce. It complements rather than overpowers the juicy flavors and vibrant colors of peak-season ingredients like tomatoes and peaches.

An overhead shot of tomato goat cheese salad with a serving fork on a white oval platter sitting upon a white marbled surface.
15-Minute Tomato Goat Cheese Salad
6-Ingredient Tomato Peach Caprese Salad

I can’t wait for you to try this White Balsamic Vinaigrette! I think you’ll come back to it time and time again since it’s quick and easy to make and packs a big punch of zippy flavor – I know I do!

If you do give it a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!

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A close-up shot of white balsamic vinaigrette being drizzled from a spoon into a jar of dressing on a white plate atop a white marbled surface. Dishes of honey and pepper, garlic cloves and a glass of vinegar sit in the background.

Simplest 5-Ingredient White Balsamic Vinaigrette (5 Minutes)

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  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ⅓ cup 1x
  • Category: Sauces & Condiments, Entrée Salads & Bowls
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

White balsamic vinegar is pale, mild, and tangy-sweet—perfect for a light, bright salad dressing!

Made with 5 pantry staples and ready in 5 minutes or less, this Simple White Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe is exactly that. Whisk it up and drizzle it over your favorite fresh, seasonal produce for a vibrant and delicious finishing touch!

Naturally Vegetarian. Easily Vegan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (see Recipe Notes)
  • 2 teaspoons honey (if vegan, sub pure maple syrup or agave nectar)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

Instructions

  1. Whisk the white balsamic vinaigrette: Combine all listed ingredients in a small bowl or jar, seasoning with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper if desired. Whisk or shake to combine well. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.An overhead shot of vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a glass bowl atop a white marble surface. Dishes of black pepper and Dijon mustard sit alongside the bowl. An overhead shot of a whisk stirring a glass bowl of white balsamic dressing on a white marbled surface alongside dishes of Dijon mustard and black pepper.
  2. Serve: Enjoy your white balsamic vinaigrette immediately. My personal favorite pairings are this Simple Peach Arugula Salad or my viral 15-Minute Tomato Goat Cheese Salad. Enjoy!An overhead shot of a spoonful of white balsamic vinaigrette being held over a small jar of dressing on a white marbled surface. Bowls of garlic, salt and pepper sit alongside it.

Equipment

Notes

White balsamic vinegar is a variety of balsamic vinegar that’s a little less caramelly & syrupy than traditional balsamic vinegar – its flavor is a little milder & its color is significantly lighter. I use it any time I want to avoid giving a vibrant, fresh salad a murky appearance.

Storage: This white balsamic vinaigrette will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. If the vinaigrette separates and solidifies in the refrigerator, simply warm it slightly in the microwave until it’s liquid again, then whisk to combine well and serve as desired.

Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!

Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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