Balsamic Glaze For Caprese Salad

Name: Balsamic Glaze For Caprese Salad
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup balsamic vinegar; 1 to 2 tbsp honey (optional)

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This balsamic glaze for caprese salad drizzles perfectly over any type of fresh caprese salad. It’s easy to make this balsamic reduction at home, saving you money buying it premade.

Overhead view of tomatoes and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic glaze for caprese salad.

Traditional caprese salad is actually never served with balsamic vinegar – this is an American variation.

A classic caprese salad is made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and olive oil.

However it does taste delicious with a drizzle of thick balsamic glaze. Plus, this balsamic reduction can be used on lots of other types of salads, such as this strawberry goat cheese salad.

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Recipe Highlights
Ingredients & Substitutions
Equipment
Instructions
Storage
Expert Tips
FAQ
📖 Recipe

Recipe Highlights

This balsamic glaze adds a delicious sweet and tangy flavor to fresh caprese salad.
You only need one ingredient for this recipe – balsamic vinegar.
Although you can find pre-made balsamic reduction in the store, it is much less expensive to make it yourself at home.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Overhead view of a jar of balsamic vinegar on a grey marble table.

Balsamic Vinegar: The only ingredient you need is balsamic vinegar. Use a high quality balsamic vinegar that you enjoy the flavor of.

Equipment

A small saucepan to make the glaze in.
A mason jar to store the balsamic glaze in.

Instructions

Step 1: Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan over medium to high heat. Bring the vinegar to a low simmer, adjusting the temperature as needed.

Step 2: Continue to simmer the vinegar for about 5 to 10 minutes, until it has reduced in volume. It should be slightly thicker and coat the back of a wooden spoon.

Process photos illustrating steps 1 and 2.

Storage

First, allow the glaze to fully cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

If the glaze is too thick when you remove it from the fridge, let it warm to room temperature or microwave it for 5 to 15 seconds before serving it.

Expert Tips

Don’t over-boil the balsamic vinegar. Stop heating it as soon as it has reduced in volume by half, even if it looks too liquidy. It will thicken up as it cools. Overboiling the glaze can turn it into a thick, gooey mess.
For a slightly sweeter glaze, mix in 1 - 2 tablespoons of honey into the balsamic vinegar before making the glaze.
Serve this glaze with a classic caprese salad, or experiment and try it with a caprese salad variation, such as this peach caprese salad or these caprese skewers.

FAQ

Why is the balsamic glaze gooey?

If the balsamic was boiled for too long or at too high of a temperature, it will reduce too much. If this happens, it will become goopy and extremely sticky once cooled.

Is balsamic vinegar part of an authentic caprese salad?

No, an authentic caprese salad has only 4 ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil and basil. This is an Americanized addition.

What type of tomatoes should you use for caprese salad?

Any type of tomatoes work well for a caprese salad, as long as they are fresh, ripe and juicy.

Caprese salad on a white rectangular plate, garnished with fresh basil leaves and drizzled with balsamic glaze.

📖 Recipe