30 Balsamic Vinegar Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever (2024)

These highly-rated recipes take on the rich and tart flavor of balsamic vinegar. From delicious roasted veggies to healthy and convenient entrées, every dish in this collection has earned four- and five-star reviews from EatingWell readers, so you can rest assured that these are worth the make. Recipes like our Slow-Cooker Balsamic Short Ribs and Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan ensure that your bottle of sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar never gets left behind.

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Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

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The florets are roasted with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic and Parmesan in this easy cauliflower recipe, which makes a delicious addition to any weeknight meal.

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Slow-Cooker Balsamic Short Ribs

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Now here's a beef short ribs recipe you can serve to company—even on a holiday.

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Balsamic Berry Vinaigrette Winter Salad

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This festive winter salad recipe features colorful greens, fruit and cheese tossed with a light and zesty dressing.

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Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Parmesan Chicken & Vegetables

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This flavorful dish--with the combination of balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese--makes a great weeknight meal since it requires little legwork (and only one pan!). The marjoram adds a distinct earthy aroma. If you don't have marjoram in your spice arsenal, you can use dried oregano instead. Both have a woodsy flavor that complements the dish beautifully.

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Balsamic Vinaigrette

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In this balsamic vinaigrette recipe, the addition of Italian seasoning adds an extra layer of flavor and spice. Use as a quick and easy balsamic vinegar salad dressing or as a balsamic marinade for chicken that's delicious and moist.

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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan

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Flattening broccoli florets increases their surface area, which means more space to absorb the flavors of Parmesan cheese and a sweet balsamic vinegar drizzle.

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Sautéed Mushrooms with Balsamic & Parmesan

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Tender cremini mushrooms soak up the tart-sweet flavor of balsamic vinegar, while nutty Parmesan cheese adds a savory note. This easy technique works well with other mushrooms too, like oyster mushrooms or shiitakes, so feel free to mix it up. Serve this big-flavored side alongside grilled steak,or make it a main dish by serving the mushrooms topped with a poached egg and a slice of grilled bread.

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Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots

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Roasting carrots in the oven brings out their sweetness, which is enhanced further with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze. Serve these balsamic roasted carrots as an easy weeknight side dish.

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Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach

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Tender spinach with a hint of garlic, Parmesan cheese and sweet balsamic vinegar makes a quick and flavorful side dish. The sturdy leaves of mature spinach hold up best during cooking.

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Broccoli with Balsamic Mushrooms

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Just a touch of butter adds silkiness to the balsamic sauce that coats broccoli and meaty mushrooms in this easy broccoli side dish recipe.

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Chicken with Tomato-Balsamic Pan Sauce

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Fennel seeds give this tomato and balsamic sauce an extra kick, but if you don't have them on hand, try using cumin or coriander seeds, or 1 teaspoon of a ground herb or spice. Serve this easy chicken breast recipe with whole-wheat spaghetti or crusty bread to sop up the sauce. Save the unused chicken tenders in an airtight container in your freezer for up to 3 months. Once you have enough, thaw them out for another use.

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Honey, Balsamic & Rosemary Roasted Figs

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These roasted figs are brimming with sweet-and-savory flavors. The final dish tastes like a less sweet, chunkier version of fig jam but also delivers savory depth, thanks to the rosemary and salt. Add these roasted figs atop yogurt, ice cream, toast or even grilled pork or chicken.

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Balsamic Roasted Zucchini with Feta

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We've got a great way to use up your garden zucchini! Zucchini softens while roasting and soaks up the flavor of balsamic vinegar. The sweet flavors are complemented by salty feta cheese sprinkled on just before serving. It's an easy summer side you'll come back to again and again.

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Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

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This healthy side dish recipe couldn't be simpler--or more delicious. Broccoli is roasted until brown and crispy, then topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar for a savory and sweet flavor combination that can't be beaten. Try this quick vegetable dish along with chicken, fish or really any main course. It's also great in salads or warm grain bowls. Tip: Preheating the pan helps the broccoli to brown and develop nutty flavors.

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Parmesan-Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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These roasted Brussels sprouts are about to be your new favorite side dish. In addition to getting brown and crispy in the oven, they're topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar for a hit of salty, savory flavor. This makes a great vegetable side to serve with roasted meats.

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20-Minute Balsamic Mushroom & Spinach Pasta

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This 20-minute veggie pasta dish is super savory, thanks to meaty mushrooms, while the natural sweetness from the balsamic vinegar, basil and pistachios brighten up this quick, healthy vegetarian dinner.

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Balsamic Marinade

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Sweet-tart balsamic vinegar spiked with garlic and Italian seasoning makes a fast and flavorful marinade for just about anything you're inspired to grill for dinner.

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Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

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To round out this healthy chicken dinner recipe, put some farro on to cook before you start cooking the chicken. Add some steamed broccoli and serve with a glass of pinot noir.

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Caramelized Balsamic Onions

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As these onion halves cook, the balsamic mixture becomes syrupy and caramelizes the onions, giving them a bronzed caramel color and a luscious, rich flavor.

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Balsamic Roasted Cabbage

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These roasted cabbage wedges with honey and balsamic vinegar make an attractive and healthy side dish that's also very easy to prepare. You can use red or green cabbage--or make a double batch with one of each for a pretty presentation.

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Kale Salad with Balsamic & Parmesan

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In this healthy kale salad recipe, you massage the dressing into the kale, tenderizing the leaves and infusing the salad with sweet balsamic flavor. Creamy pine nuts and salty Parmesan cheese added at the end balance the flavors. Enjoy this salad on its own as a side dish or add cooked chicken, shrimp or steak to make it a full meal.

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Lemon-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

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These quick lemon-balsamic chicken thighs are perfect for busy weeknights. The sweet and tangy onions complement the chicken that's slathered in a buttery sauce.

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Balsamic-Dijon Chicken

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Experiment with various flavored mustards to add a different spin to this simple marinade recipe. It's low in fat and carbs because it's oil- and sugar-free.

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Balsamic-Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan

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Sweet balsamic vinegar and nutty Parmesan cheese complement roasted green beans and shallots in this easy and healthy side dish. Roasting the green beans gives them a sweet, caramelized flavor while they still retain some bite. Serve with chicken, fish, pork--you name it. These green beans are also a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving meal.

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Pork Chops with Balsamic Sweet Onions

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Balsamic onions and raisins add a burst of sweet and savory flavor to pan-seared pork chops. Round out this healthy dinner recipe with sweet potatoes and green beans.

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Balsamic Steak & Mushroom Skewers

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Sweet balsamic vinegar packs a punch in these balsamic steak and mushroom skewers. Top sirloin is tender and less expensive compared to other cuts of meat, but for a little more flavor, strip steak is a good alternative. If you have leftovers, use them up in salad or tuck them intopita bread with hummus for a delicious lunch the next day.

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Balsamic-Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks

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These balsamic-Parmesan cauliflower steaks make the perfect vegetarian dinner. Dried oregano and fresh thyme and rosemary flavor the cauliflower. Balsamic vinegar paired with Parmesan cheese adds a nice sweet and savory balance to the dish.

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Balsamic-Butter Salmon Bites

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These tender and buttery salmon bites are coated with a sweet balsamic glaze that clings nicely to the salmon after a few minutes under the broiler. Serve this easy appetizer with wooden picks and pack away any leftovers to use as a salad topper or wrap filling. Turn this appetizer into a main dish by making it the star of your next grain bowl.

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Balsamic Glaze & Parmesan

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This whole roasted cauliflower recipe is incredibly easy—and requires just 5 minutes of active time—but delivers a healthy side dish that's impressive enough for entertaining. A mixture of Parmesan cheese and balsamic glaze adds tons of flavor. Serve the whole roasted cauliflower with roast chicken, turkey or pork or as part of a vegetarian meal.

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Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Parmesan

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Topped with Parmesan cheeseandbalsamic vinegar, these flavorful Brussels sprouts will be the star on any table. Smashing the sprouts creates a wide surface area that gets mouthwateringly crispy in the oven.

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30 Balsamic Vinegar Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever (2024)

FAQs

What does too much balsamic vinegar do to your body? ›

This versatile vinegar may enhance skin health, support healthy weight maintenance by increasing satiety, promote digestive health, lower blood pressure and improve blood sugar control. However, overconsumption may damage tooth enamel and lead to acid reflux or heartburn.

How long will homemade balsamic vinegar last? ›

Like other vinegars, balsamic vinegar is extremely high in acid. This means that it is very resistant to bacterial growth that causes other products to have a short shelf life. When properly stored (emphasis on the “properly”), balsamic vinegar can last anywhere between three to five years.

How to use balsamic vinegar for weight loss? ›

Topping off your salad dishes, chicken marinades with a tasty Balsamic Vinegar should keep you full and off the kitchen for quite a while, therefore helping you a lot in your weight loss journey. Keep in mind that maintaining a caloric deficit is still an important part.

What meat goes well with balsamic vinegar? ›

Give steak, chicken, fish, tofu, or olives a bold and tangy flavor profile by using balsamic vinaigrette as a quick and easy marinade option. The longer you let your favorite protein soak up the flavors, the better!

Is it OK to eat balsamic vinegar every day? ›

A person should limit their intake to about 2 tablespoons or less, as drinking too much can cause an upset stomach and other issues. People should pay careful attention to the label of the balsamic vinegar they buy. Genuine balsamic may be expensive but does not contain added sugars.

Is balsamic vinegar good for blood pressure? ›

Heart health and blood pressure

Balsamic vinegar can reduce the concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the body; these have been linked to heart attacks and stroke. Also, due to its low saturated fat content, balsamic vinegar is believed to enhance heart health and reduce high blood pressure.

Should you refrigerate balsamic vinegar? ›

Balsamics' enemies are light and heat, so cool, dark storage spaces are best. If you're using balsamic vinegars primarily for salads and like them chilled, they can be refrigerated. If you're using them for sauces, marinades, and reductions, store them in a cupboard.

How can you tell if balsamic vinegar is high quality? ›

Identification: Traditional balsamic vinegar is always labelled Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and carries a D.O.P. ("Denominazione di Origine Protetta") stamp — a European Union certification that guarantees an ingredient's quality, production, and place of origin. The only ingredient is grape must.

What are the chunks in balsamic vinegar? ›

When you find a bit of stringy sediment, large or small, in a bottle of vinegar don't fret. In fact — congratulations — you have a mother. A mother of vinegar, that is. Yes, it looks rather grungy and scary, floating on the top of the vinegar like that, but this spongy mass of bacteria is completely harmless.

Does balsamic vinegar burn belly fat? ›

A lab study also found acetic acid in vinegar had fat-lowering characteristics in mice. So while balsamic vinegar won't melt excess fat overnight, it might be a helpful tool for a healthy weight loss journey, if that's your goal.

Which vinegar is best for weight loss? ›

Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat.

Does balsamic vinegar curb appetite? ›

It's been proven effective to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure. Some research suggests it can also work as an appetite suppressant, and it contains strains of probiotic bacteria. It's also simple to add to your food, and tastes delicious.

What do Italians eat balsamic vinegar with? ›

Italians put balsamic vinegar on a variety of dishes including salads, risotto, grilled meats, and cheeses. It's also used to flavor strawberries and other fruits.

What cheese goes well with balsamic vinegar? ›

Balsamic Vinegar pairs well with hard aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano or aged Goudas. Drizzle Balsamic Vinegar over cheese or dip a piece of cheese in a small bowl of Balsamic Vinegar for the best balance of flavors.

Does soaking meat in vinegar make it taste like vinegar? ›

According to the Journal of Meat Science, when meat is soaked in an acidic substance like vinegar, the acid interacts with it, enhancing the flavor. Because the crucial ingredient here is lactic acid, and all types of vinegar have it, you can essentially use any vinegar as a soak!

Is balsamic vinegar inflammatory? ›

Last but not least, consuming balsamic vinegar can have an anti-inflammatory effect as well. Long-term, high levels of inflammation can be extremely detrimental to your health, and research shows inflammation plays a role in whether you develop chronic conditions, diseases, and even cancer.

Does balsamic vinegar increase uric acid? ›

Low in Purines: Balsamic vinegar is generally low in purines, which are substances that can contribute to the formation of uric acid. A low-purine diet is often recommended for individuals with gout to help manage symptoms.

Are sulfites in balsamic vinegar bad for you? ›

Sulfites occur naturally during the fermentation process and help kill off bacteria. It's the vinegars with added sulfites that you'll want to avoid. For the safest vinegar, choose sulfite-free or organic varieties, and be particularly cautious of sulfites if you have a known reaction to them.

Does balsamic vinegar slow digestion? ›

Vinegar is associated to an improved digestive function and glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals, appetite stimulation, and reduction of hyperlipidemia and obesity.

References

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