• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Ease of Preparation 30 Minutes or Less
30 30 Minutes or Less GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free VG Vegetarian 5I 5 ingredients or less

Balsamic Reduction – How to Make Balsamic Glaze | with video

4.44
/5
30 mins
39 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 05/24/2018Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it’s so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

image of caprese salad with balsamic reduction

Last year, my basil did terribly. I don’t remember if I was even able to harvest any of it. This year, I’m sure I’ll try again because a sprinkle of fresh basil instantly brings a taste of summer to any recipe….and I love it so! My chives are already out of control, so at least if nothing else grows, I’ll have chives.

The basil in these photos is compliments of the grocery store, but the caprese salad did not disappoint. Caprese salad is one of my favorite things to eat all summer long. I don’t know what it is about the simple combination of tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella, but it’s a win every time. Whether it’s drizzled with high-quality olive oil or a balsamic reduction (or both!), it’s always delicious.

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

However, balsamic reduction (or balsamic glaze, whatever you prefer) isn’t only for caprese salad. It has the ability to elevate so many dishes like this asparagus tart or this bacon and mushroom flatbread. It’s great drizzled on grilled meat (it’s tasty on chicken or steak), salads, appetizers, and roasted or grilled vegetables. I personally love it on roasted or grilled asparagus.

It’s one of those things that you might not automatically reach for, but once you introduce it into your cooking repertoire, you’re always going to want a bottle of it in your fridge. The great news is, it keeps for a month or more in your fridge, so you can make a big batch and it might last you all summer! Or it might last you two days, once you taste it.

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

How to Make Balsamic Reduction

You guys, I can’t stress enough how easy this is! It’s SO EASY. You literally just simmer balsamic vinegar until it thickens. That’s it!

If you want this to be even more sticky sweet, you can add some sugar or honey to sweeten it up a touch. I find that the vinegar gets sweet enough as it simmers down and reduces, but I am used to things on the less-sweet side, so if you have more of a sweet tooth, you might want to try adding a couple tablespoons of sugar or honey.

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

More things to drizzle this balsamic glaze on:

  • Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Tomatoes and Ricotta
  • Goat Cheese Steak
  • Easy Tomato Bruschetta
  • Caprese Skewers

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

 

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Balsamic Reduction - How to Make Balsamic Glaze

4.44 from 80 votes
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Balsamic Reduction is a simple sauce that can elevate a dish to the next level, and it's so easy to make at home! It only takes one ingredient and just a little time to create this sweet, tangy, syrupy sauce. 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups good quality balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  • Heat vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbling. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer until reduced by about half and thickened. You can stir it occasionally but just keep an eye on it to make sure it's not boiling rapidly...just a low simmer is perfect.
  • Cool and store in fridge for up to a month.

Notes

  • If you prefer this sweeter, add 2 tablespoons of a sweetener of your choice. Honey, brown sugar, or granulated sugar are good choices.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 28kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Sodium: 7mg, Sugar: 5g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Verdict: I love this stuff, I want to pour it on everything! It kind of makes your house smell like vinegar while it reduces, but it’s worth it, plus there are worse smells in this world! I just diffuse some essential oils and my house smells fantastic again.
Husband’s take: Ben loves caprese as much as I do and when I drizzle on this balsamic reduction, he can’t get enough!
Changes I would make: None are necessary, but like I mentioned, I prefer it without sugar. If you like things sweeter, add a touch of sugar or honey!
Difficulty: So easy!!
Free email series

5 Time & Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Perfect for spring, this asparagus gruyere tart is a show-stopping addition to any brunch or appetizer table. You won't believe how easy it is to make! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!
    Asparagus Gruyère Tart with Balsamic Glaze - with Video!
  • Goat cheese topped steak with balsamic drizzle, with tomatoes and parsley on white plate.
    Goat Cheese Steak with Balsamic Glaze
  • Sliced balsamic marinated chicken.
    Balsamic Chicken Marinade
  • Chipotle glazed meatballs in two pita halves with lettuce.
    Chipotle Honey Glazed Meatballs
Image of Instant Pot Cake with Rhubarb
Previous Post
Rhubarb Instant Pot Cake (Rhubarb Upside Down Cake)
Next Post
What’s Poppin’

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

  1. Love them says

    April 16, 2022 at 8:12 pm

    Love this with baked sweet potatoes. Simply bake sweet potatoes wrapped in foil at 385 until oozing. Little sal,t, pepp r, butter and the reduction. Yum!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      Ooooh yum, that sounds delicious!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline Shepherd says

    March 16, 2021 at 6:06 am

    I am a food lover. Every time I try different different item on my dishes. So one day I am searching new ingredients for my dishes then I read your article about balsamic. The information you have shared in your article no one tell about its benefit like you! Thanks for sharing such excellent information.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      March 20, 2021 at 8:15 pm

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply
  3. Jules says

    October 15, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    There should definitely be a warning, this product contains acetic acid which can burn if inhaled. Just don’t put your face over the fumes :) Otherwise great recipes and insanely easy !

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      October 18, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      Good tip, thanks! :)

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    August 22, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    Wow this looks super flavorful and delicious! Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 26, 2020 at 6:32 am

      Thanks! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  5. Melissa says

    August 22, 2020 at 5:17 am

    Worked perfect! I made it without added sugar as I lean more towards tart flavors.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 26, 2020 at 6:32 am

      Thanks! So glad you liked it!

      Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled