Balsamic Herb Dressing

Today, we’re dressing to impress with Southern Baked Pie founder Amanda Wilbanks and whipping up this super easy, super flavorful balsamic herb dressing. This dressing is made with just seven ingredients (all of which you probably have in your pantry right now) and can be made in one bowl. But don’t worry, this bright, sweet, herby dressing packs a punch of flavor that makes it the perfect pair for any salad, and a delicious side for our savory pies!

The star of this dressing is balsamic vinegar. Like whiskey and wine, balsamic vinegar just gets better with age. In fact, premium balsamic vinegars are aged for as long as 25 years in wooden barrels. The longer the vinegar ages, the richer its flavor becomes, and well-aged balsamic vinegar will take on a thick, almost syrupy, texture, and a sweet flavor.

Good balsamic vinegar has so much flavor that you need very little else to make it sing. Looking for an easy way to dress up pasta? Try browning a stick of butter in a pan and adding a tablespoon of good quality balsamic vinegar for a to-die-for sauce.

In this recipe, balsamic vinegar combines beautifully with herbs and garlic to create a dressing that’s fresh, sweet, and earthy, making it the perfect accompaniment for lots of different salads. For a light, herby, and crisp salad, we love cherry tomatoes, carrots, English cucumbers, haricot verts, chopped bell pepper, and slivered almonds! For a cooler weather version, opt for massaged kale, roasted butternut squash, shaved parmesan, and toasted pine nuts.

You can also play with the herbs you include. Different combinations will create different, delicious flavors, meaning you can tweak this dressing to suit the salad you’re creating! Some herbs that we love incorporating are parsley, thyme, rosemary, cilantro, basil, and sage.

So, what are you waiting for? All it takes is five minutes to create a dressing that’ll knock your socks off. We can’t wait for you to taste it!

Watch the recipe in action here!

Instructions:
1.) Add Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar to a bowl, whisking to combine

2.) Drizzle in olive oil, whisking the mixture to combine completely

3.) Add your herbs and garlic and check the consistency and flavor of your dressing.

Chef’s note: Keep in mind that a thicker balsamic vinegar will create a thicker dressing and you may need to add extra olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

4.) Toss with mixed greens, butter lettuce, kale, or arugula, and toppings of choice.

Pairs Well With: A mixed green salad and one of our delicious savory pies or quiches, like Quiche Lorraine, Tomato Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, or Chicken Ranchero Pie.

Did you like this recipe? If so, how did it go? Leave a comment here and tell us what you think – we can’t wait to hear! 

For more great recipes and ideas, check out Amanda’s cookbook, Southern Baked: Celebrating Life with Pie, and the rest of the blog!