Balsamic Reduction (Balsamic Glaze)

A Balsamic Reduction Sauce, sometimes known as a balsamic glaze, is one of the most basic and used sauces for layering and plating. One element that can elevate any dish, savory or sweet.

balsamic glaze on a gold spoon


 

Balsamic Reduction

There are a couple of simple things a home cook can do to achieve restaurant quality food in the kitchen. Layering foods to add texture, flavor and sophistication is the easiest.

Homemade balsamic reduction is an easy way to achieve this. A thick, velvety sauce that can be made ahead and is ready in a snap.

balsamic reduction sauce with fresh tomatoes

For my sauce, I use a cheaper balsamic vinegar (not the super cheap stuff, the middle of the road stuff). I find that after reducing and adding some brown sugar, I could save my 15-year aged balsamic for salads and dressings that needed those impactful notes.

Naturally gluten free and dairy free, this sauce be used on so many things. You can also reduce the sugar or omit it altogether for a fully healthy sauce.

Feel free to add fresh herbs to the mix to complement your dish even further. Fresh thyme, oregano or basil are all great. Allow the whole herb to simmer with the sauce and then fish it out after reducing.

Balsamic Vinegar & White Balsamic

Balsamic is Italian in origin and made from grape must, a freshly pressed combo of grape, skin, seeds and even vine. It is boiled and then fermented into the acidic flavor of vinegar.

angle view of balsamic reduction with fresh tomatoes

Quality of grapes and length of aging is what determines the final taste. An aged vinegar will be dark and rich in flavor, while a younger version still tangy, but thinner and light. Both have their uses and are perfectly acceptable.

White balsamic is made using white Trebbiano grapes in the same process, but it a pale yellowish color. You can use either to make a reduction or glaze.

pea shoots, fresh mozzarella and quartered tomatoes with balsamic reduction sauce

How to Make Balsamic Reduction

In its most basic form, balsamic reduction from scratch only uses one ingredient: vinegar. But mine adds a little molasses and sweetness from brown sugar and then a dab of zing from salt.

The salt helps to balance out the acid and sweet flavors using the culinary trifecta of salt, acid and sweet. These three ingredients provide a syrupy sweet and acidic profile that is used in savory and sweet dishes.

balsamic reduction drizzling onto a caprese salad

The process is simple, pour your vinegar and sugar into a small saucepan, bring it to a low simmer and let it reduce by about half.

It won’t get super syrupy on the stove, that will happen as it cools. At this point, add your salt, if desired. Just a pinch will do.

Caprese Skewers are the perfect party appetizer made with fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, garlicky croutons, and zesty pepperoni, all drizzled with a tangy balsamic reduction sauce! #capresesalad #capreseappetizer www.savoryexperiments.com
Caprese Salad Kabobs

Balsamic Glaze

Is balsamic glaze and balsamic reduction the same thing?

Yes! The two are interchangeable as far as terms go. Either can be dressed up with fresh herbs or spices. Some balsamic glazes use honey or agave nectar instead of sugar. White sugar can also be used, but I like the molasses flavors in light or dark brown sugar.

There are also variations on balsamic reduction, like this savory blueberry sauce or even a similar version with cherries.

glass jar of balsamic thyme sauce

Make Ahead & Storage

Can you make balsamic reduction ahead of time?

Yes! By all means, yes! It takes a little time to reduce and then you’ll want to use it at room temperture because that is when it thickens.

balsamic reduction drizzled on caprese salad

If storing for longer than a few hours (which you can do at room temperture), place in the refrigerator, but allow for an hour or so to come to room temp before using.

Uses

What can I use balsamic reduction on? Um, literally, anything! The list will go on and on. A balsamic glaze can be used on desserts or just a bowl of vanilla ice cream or savory dishes like grilled watermelon steaks.

Grilled Watermelon Steaks with balsamic reduction and feta cheese are an easy BBQ side dish. Caramelized, juicy watermelon with savory cheese and sticky reduction is delicious! #grilledwatermelon #watermelonrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com
Grilled Watermelon Steak

Caprese salad is probably one of the most popular uses. A simple combination of mozzarella cheese and freshly sliced tomatoes with basil. The deer are eating all my basil at the moment, so I made my salad with fresh pea shoots instead.

balsamic reduction sauce for pinterest

Recipes that use Balsamic Vinegar:

plate of seared beef tenderloin with tomatoes and scallions

Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe

Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin will add a whole new flavor dimension to your roast! Serve with delicious whipped horseradish sauce.
See The Recipe!
Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze is an easy ham glaze for your Christmas ham or any baked ham throughout the year. Tart cherries, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar lend bold flavors. #hamglaze #christmasham #hamrecipe www.savoryexperiments.com

Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze Recipe

Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze is an easy ham glaze for your Christmas ham or any baked ham throughout the year. Tart cherries, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar lend bold flavors.
See The Recipe!
close up overhead shot of platter of grilled watermelon shrimp kabobs

Grilled Watermelon Skewers with Shrimp

Watermelon Shrimp Kabobs combine grilled shrimp with grilled watermelon with a sweet balsamic reduction and zesty lime. A healthy kabob recipe on the grill.
See The Recipe!
close up of a spoon coated in balsamic glaze sauce
balsamic reduction sauce with fresh tomatoes

Balsamic Reduction Sauce

4.53 from 46 votes
How to make a balsamic reduction sauce just like the restaurants! Tastes like 15 year aged balsamic, but cheap and made in 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Instructions

  • Stir both ingredients together in a small sauce pan. Allow to simmer on low and reduce by half, approximately 15 minutes. Mixture will thicken when cooling, should coat the back of a spoon. It will not appear thick while still hot, allow it to cool to get the right consistency.
  • Stir in dash of fine sea salt.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments and ratings!

Video

Notes

Brown sugar can be omitted, reduced or substituted for agave nectar, honey or white sugar. 

Nutrition

Calories: 315 kcal, Carbohydrates: 66 g, Protein: 1 g, Sodium: 65 mg, Potassium: 285 mg, Sugar: 61 g, Calcium: 89 mg, Iron: 1.8 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 315
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Balsamic reduction sauce
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.53 from 46 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! I’ve made balsamic glaze and homemade vinegars for years, however, never added brown sugar or salt to the glaze. Both additions are fabulous little taste treats! I made a cup last night, it practically disappeared before my eyes. We used it on pork chops, a broccoli salad, and grilled peaches with ice cream. I had happy guests!

    I usually reduce a gallon at a time, in small batches, in order to share. Since I label the glass bottles, I wanted to give folks a “made” date, as well as a “use by” date. So years ago, I called the FDA to inquire. They advised that it would last up to 18 months refrigerated. (It would never last that long at my house 😉 but I do put 1 yr on the bottles as a reference)
    I was curious why you said it only lasts 4-5 days? Is it because of the sugar?

    Thanks for sharing! Will definitely be using your recipe going forward!

    1. The sugar but also that it doesn’t have any preservatives or additives in it. I don’t like to advise anything that has the potential to be contaminated (evern with just a little yuck left in the storage container).

  2. 5 stars
    Never even HEARD of a balsamic reduction before until a separate recipe called for it. This is incredibly well balanced, soo good, and extremely easy to make! I put it in a measure cup in the freezer so it would cool down quickly. I needed the balsamic reduction to top off a dish I was making. We’re keeping this recipe forever and have found other creative recipes in which to use it, like grilled watermelon! Make this!!

  3. 5 stars
    I have made 2 batches of this and I do 3 cups in each batch . I and all my family think it is awesome. Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Hi Kevin, I’d say about a week. Since it doesn’t have preservatives and heaping loads of salt, it isn’t as shelf stable as the stuff you buy in the store.

    1. Hi there, since there aren’t any preservatives other than salt, it stays good for about 4-5 days in the fridge, however it is best fresh.