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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
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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!
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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!!
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  1. James says

    August 22, 2020 at 4:19 am

    it’s so easy to make at home!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 26, 2020 at 6:32 am

      It really is so easy!

      Reply
  2. Gabriel says

    July 2, 2020 at 10:13 pm

    Yummy – I just made my first balsamic reduction for my caprese panini!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      July 5, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      Perfect, it just screams summer, doesn’t it? Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  3. Roger says

    June 2, 2020 at 4:00 am

    Thank you! I used the brown sugar because I wanted balsamic glazed brussel sprouts but my family is less into vinegar than I am. The glaze was such a hit my 9 year old added it to his salmon, too!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 2, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  4. Dianne says

    May 19, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    I just made it. This is so easy! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 23, 2020 at 8:01 am

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    May 10, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    Thank you! Been trying to figure out how to make a balsamic reduction turns out I was over complecting the entire process. Lol Love this recipe, goes great with brussel sprouts and maple bacon, and also love to drizzle it over fresh fruit, throw it on top of honey Greek yogurt. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 11, 2020 at 7:06 am

      I’m so glad this was helpful to you! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  6. Meg says

    May 6, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    I had to call poison control because of the fumes that burnt my eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. I’m surprised there’s no mention of this being a potential issue. I left it on for under 10 minutes on low heat.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 8, 2020 at 11:35 am

      Hi Meg, vinegar does have a strong smell that not everyone can handle. I’m sorry to hear you had a hard time with it. I hope you’ve fully recovered ;)

      Reply
  7. JENNIFER CLARK says

    April 13, 2020 at 8:18 pm

    I think your calorie count is inaccurate.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 14, 2020 at 9:04 am

      You’re very right! Thanks for the heads up! All fixed now. :)

      Reply
  8. Elle West says

    March 24, 2020 at 2:05 am

    Can you use a double boiler?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      March 27, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Should work, but it’s not really necessary and will increase cooking time.

      Reply
  9. Susan Dubose says

    March 3, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    Love it on a burger. mozzarella and balsamic reduction absolute favorite

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      March 3, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      Yes, so yummy!

      Reply
  10. Rimmy says

    February 24, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    Omg! So Good! I did on flat bread with mozzarella roasted tomatoes bacon and scallions and drizzled the glaze over it.It was hit of party. Thank you for sharing?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 25, 2020 at 8:09 am

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  11. Liz says

    October 31, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    The nutritional information is for the entire recipe and not the serving size of 1 tablespoon.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 1, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      You’re absolutely right – thanks for letting me know about that! I really appreciate it. I corrected it. :)

      Reply
  12. Paulette Melanson says

    September 2, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    I made maple balsamic reduction and now it has hardened in the bottle I stored it in. Is there a way to soften it and turn it back to liquid?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      September 4, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      Oh no! You may have reduced it a little too far. I’d try putting it in warm water bath to see if that softens it up, but it might be a lost cause. :( You could also try warming it carefully in the microwave if your bottle is microwave-safe. I’d do it on 30% or 40% power and warm it really slowly so it doesn’t cook more…just to kind of melt it? Let me know how it goes.

      Reply
  13. Rob E says

    December 1, 2018 at 9:42 am

    If people like sweater, drop the balsamic by a 1/2 cup and add in the same amount of a good maple syrup. PERFECT on pork.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 2, 2018 at 7:38 am

      Great tip! So good on pork! Thanks Rob!

      Reply
  14. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    July 6, 2018 at 1:14 am

    I love balsamic reduction! Definitely a staple around here! 

    Reply
  15. Shannon says

    May 30, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    This turned out so well and it was so easy to make! It’s not going to last very long because I’ve been drizzling it over everything!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 30, 2018 at 2:49 pm

      I’m so glad you like it, Shannon! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
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