Balsamic Glaze

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A thick glaze ideal for drizzling over bruschetta, this balsamic glaze recipe is made with just 2 simple ingredients, it’s nearly effortless to prepare! It’s tangy and slightly sweet–the perfect complement for appetizers, antipasti, chicken, pasta, and more.

Pouring a jar of balsamic glaze into a serving bowl for dipping with veggies, bruschetta, and more. this recipe

Anyone here obsessed with balsamic glaze? I find myself drizzling it on everything, from avocado toast, bruschetta, and caprese skewers to watermelon, figs, and prosciutto! (Don’t even get me started on ice cream.) Today, we’re going to make this super simple and easy 2 ingredient balsamic glaze recipe.

In no time, you’ll find yourself putting it on everything… just like me! 😉

What is Balsamic Glaze?

Balsamic glaze is a thick glaze that’s made by cooking balsamic vinegar over heat along with optional sweeteners like brown sugar or honey until it’s reduced to about half its volume. This glaze is used as a marinade, a drizzle for sweet and savory salads, atop appetizers like caprese skewers and bruschetta, and over desserts.

How to Make Balsamic Glaze

With just a few easy steps, we’ll make the best balsamic glaze! Start by stirring together balsamic vinegar and your sweetener of choice, if using, in a small saucepan.

Two photos showing how to make balsamic glaze brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in prep bowls and pouring vinegar into a saucepan to cook

Bring this mixture to a boil.

Next, reduce the heat enough to maintain a light simmer. You’ll cook this until its reduced by more than half, approximately 10-20 minutes.

whisking sweetener into this recipe to cook it

Cook until the balsamic glaze can coat the back of a spoon.

Lastly, cool completely, then store in an airtight container for about 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

coating the back of a spoon in balsamic glaze recipe to show that its thick enough to stop cooking and the recipe is complete

How to Use Balsamic Glaze

  1. Drizzled over Bruschetta: One of the classic ways to use balsamic glaze is to drizzle it over bruschetta. It’s also used to make the topping!
  2. Roast Veggies: A classic way is to roast Brussels sprouts in this delicious glaze.
  3. Drizzled over fruit salads: any fruit salad would work, but the most delicious one? Peach salad or watermelon salad. Heck, try it on Grape Salad and let me know what you think!
  4. Served with ice cream! Yep, ice cream. The tangy flavor of balsamic glaze goes so well with ice cream. For a sweeter treat, make your balsamic glaze with a higher amount of brown sugar, honey, or other sweetener.
  5. With cooked fish, chicken, and tofu: you can drizzle it over and cook your protein in this balsamic glaze.
  6. Atop half an avocado with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Or use this tasty honey mustard dressing.
  7. Make a variation of bruschetta with any kind of fresh, sweet fruit like mangoes, strawberries, or watermelon. Serve with feta, mozzarella, goat cheese, or any of your favorite cheeses, and top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
  8. Over Pesto Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, or your fave pasta salad
  9. Artfully sprinkled over Caprese Skewers.
Platter of this Italian antipasto on toasted, sliced baguettes topped with tomato, basil, parmesan, and Italian seasoned topping with olive oil.

Variations

  • Add more brown sugar – you can use anywhere from no brown sugar to 1 ¼ cups brown sugar for a sweet balsamic glaze.
  • Add more honey
  • Try different sweeteners: molasses, agave, etc.
  • Make it buttery: add 2 tablespoons butter
  • Make it herby: add 3-4 sprigs of rosemary while cooking for an herbaceous treat.
  • Cut down the sugar but keep it sweet: you can use ½ the amount of sugar by using a few tablespoons of brown sugar replacement like Splenda and a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
  • Change the flavors: instead of using plain balsamic vinegar, you can use flavor-infused kinds like raspberry, pear, or even pomegranate balsamic vinegar.

If you’re looking for more easy homemade glaze recipes, be sure to check out my 2 ingredient lemon glaze and my 3 ingredient easy maple glaze recipe.

close up to show the thickened texture of this vinegar and brown sugar based dip, dressing, and condiment recipe

Tips

  • Don’t make the day you have guests: cooking this glaze will make the house reek!
  • The larger the saucepan, the lower the amount of cook time.
  • When in doubt, cool a bit of the cooked balsamic glaze on the side to test for thickness. Hot glaze always looks runny and thin, and therefore, is deceptive!

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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pouring balsamic glaze into a bowl to show the thickness

Balsamic Glaze

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Description

A thick glaze ideal for drizzling over bruschetta, this balsamic glaze recipe is made with just 2 simple ingredients, it’s nearly effortless to prepare! It’s tangy and slightly sweet–the perfect complement for appetizers, antipasti, chicken, pasta, and more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • For sweetness:
    • 1-4 tablespoons brown sugar, or
    • 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, stir together balsamic vinegar and sweetener (if using) until dissolved. Bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat low enough to maintain a light simmer. Cook until reduced by more than half, about 10-20 minutes. Gradually reduce heat over time if needed to maintain a simmer.*
  3. Cook until the glaze coats the back of a spoon—test this by spooning a bit onto a plate to cool; once cool it will be easier to tell if the glaze is thick enough to coat.
  4. Cool completely, then store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
  5. Drizzle over bruschetta, meats, caprese skewers, roasted vegetables, and more.

Equipment

Notes

Sweetener: you can use honey, Splenda, maple syrup, molasses and more. Or, skip it altogether.

*Cook time will be lower for larger pans.

  • Prep Time: 1 minute
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dips and Dressings
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

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It’s nice to meet you! Erik and I love sharing easy recipes that are fun & approachable. I love cozy movies, chocolate, big hugs, and being out at sea.

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10 Comments

  1. This Balsamic Glaze recipe is fantastic! It’s easy to make and adds a rich, tangy flavor to any dish. Perfect for drizzling over salads, meats, or veggies. Thank you!



    Reply

  2. The rich, tangy sweetness added a delightful depth to my salads and grilled vegetables. I can’t wait to experiment with it on more dishes – it’s become a staple in my kitchen!

    Reply

  4. I never knew just how easy it was to make a balsamic glaze! I am always running to the store; I am so glad I can now make this from home! Delish!



    Reply

  5. Easy and simple to make, thanks for sharing this recipe. I can now make my own balsamic glazed at home



    Reply