How To Make Balsamic Glaze - Balsamic Reduction Recipe (2024)

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BySharon Rhodes

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Discover how to make Balsamic Glaze with this easy recipe. Also known as a balsamic reduction which explains how this sweet dressing is made – by reducing balsamic vinegar down to a syrupy sauce to be added to salads, roasted vegetables, and more!

How To Make Balsamic Glaze - Balsamic Reduction Recipe (1)

I had been familiar with balsamic reductions from higher-end restaurants that used them to finish off plates like lovely salads, chicken dishes, and more and I wondered how do you make balsamic glaze from scratch?

It turns out, it’s not that difficult!

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HOW TO MAKE BALSAMIC GLAZE

Is balsamic glaze the same as balsamic reduction? They are! In this recipe, I don’t use any sweetener because when the vinegar reduces I find it sweet enough, but they are in fact the same thing.

What is balsamic glaze made from? Balsamic glaze is simply balsamic vinegar reduced down to a syrup-like consistency by heating it.

Here is what you need:

  • balsamic vinegar
  • honey or sugar (totally optional and I mostly make it without)

And that is it!

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The whole thing takes about twenty minutes and will really clear out your sinuses if you want a good nasal cleansing. Whew!

Basically, heat the vinegar to a low bubbling boil and stir until it reduces to half the amount. I like to use a whisk and keep stirring at a regular consistent pace so that nothing burns. It takes about twenty minutes but if you use a sweetener like honey or sugar the reducing time will be less. More like eight to ten minutes.

Watch to see when it coats the back of a spoon.

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Once the balsamic glaze has reached the desired consistency you will want to remove your pan from the heat and place it on a trivet to cool down. It will reduce more while it cools.

FAQ

Are balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze the same thing? Nope! The glaze or reduction is a cooked down version.

Heating the vinegar mellows the flavour and changes it from tasting acidic to capturing both a mildly sweet and savoury flavour.

What do you use balsamic glaze for? Use it in a salad dressing, drizzle over chicken or salmon. Balsamic reduction is also ah-mazing over cheese. Goat cheese or perhaps a mozzarella.

Here are some recipes using balsamic glaze:

  • Balsamic Strawberries with Mint and Cracked Black Pepper
  • Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Roasted Sweet Potato
  • Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
  • BBQ Chicken Pizza Toast <<—drizzle on this!!
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Is balsamic reduction bad for you? Not if you take it easy on the sweetener. A lot of store-bought products use sugar so I cannot vouch for them. As mentioned before the sweetener in this recipe is optional and if you do use it I recommend a natural source like honey or coconut sugar.

How long does balsamic reduction last? Up to a month.

Should I refrigerate balsamic reduction? It’s not necessary. Store it in a sealed glass jar in a cool, dark spot.

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Originally posted November 24, 2014. Updated November 17, 2020.

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How To Make Balsamic Glaze

Sharon Rhodes

4.98 from 102 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Resting time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 29 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour the vinegar (and sweetener if using) into a small saucepan.

  • Over medium heat, bring the vinegar to a low boil.

  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture lightly simmer, whisking every couple of minutes to make sure nothing sticks and burns.

  • When the vinegar has reduced in half, it should coat a spoon in thickness. If you use just the vinegar this will take about fifteen to twenty minutes. If you used a sweetener it will take less time – about eight to ten minutes.

  • Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down completely.

  • Transfer the balsamic glaze to a glass jar with a lid. This will keep stored in a cool, dark spot for up to a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 24mgSugar: 6gCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

Keyword balsamic reduction recipe, how to make balsamic glaze

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How To Make Balsamic Glaze - Balsamic Reduction Recipe (2024)
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