Step 1

Combine extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar. It’s easiest to pour 0.75 cups (180 ml) of olive oil and 0.25 cups (59 ml) of balsamic vinegar directly into a jar with a sealable lid. If you don’t have a sealable jar, pour the olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a small bowl.The jar or similar container will be shaken, making it important that the seal is tight and secure.If you’re using a bowl, you’ll be whisking the ingredients together instead of shaking them.

Step 2

Sprinkle 0.25 tsp (1.2 ml) each of salt and pepper into the liquid. If you’d rather not measure out the seasoning exactly, just add a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. It’s best to add smaller amounts of salt and pepper at a time, as you can always add more if desired.

Step 3

Add extra flavor to the dressing by adding optional ingredients. Some people like adding 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of whole grain mustard to the dressing, while others also like adding fresh minced garlic or shallots. If you like the taste of any of these ingredients, add a small amount at a time before tasting the dressing.Adding mustard helps the vinegar and oil combine more easily.Other ingredients you might want to use include Dijon mustard, sugar, honey, strawberries for a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, or egg yolk to thicken the consistency.

Step 4

Attach the lid securely and shake the jar to combine the ingredients. Screw the lid onto the jar so that liquid won’t leak through. Shake the jar for 10-15 seconds, helping the ingredients mix together thoroughly. Once the dressing is shaken, it’s ready to be tasted.If you poured the ingredients into a bowl, use a whisk to stir everything together thoroughly.

Step 5

Play around with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar proportions. The most common ratio is 3 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic vinegar. However, some people like more vinegar in their dressing, while others might want less vinegar. Test the balsamic vinaigrette once it’s been shaken to decide whether you’d like to add any additional ingredients to create the best flavor.Consider dipping a piece of lettuce in the dressing to taste it.

Step 6

Keep the dressing in the fridge for several weeks. If you made the vinaigrette with just olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, it’s not necessary to keep it in the fridge. However, once you add fresh ingredients it’s best to keep the dressing in the refrigerator to be able to use it for several weeks.Keep the jar sealed when it’s stored on the counter or in the fridge.If you created the vinaigrette in a bowl, transfer it to a sealable container or place a cloth, foil, or plastic wrap over the bowl.