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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Pizza
- Avocado Toast
- Salad or Grilled Romaine
- Fresh Fruit Salad
- Beef, Seafood or Fish
- Grilled Cheese
- Grilled Chicken
- Brussels Sprouts
- With Caramelized Onions
- Air Fryer Burrata
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.
Recipes that use Balsamic Vinegar:
Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe
Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze Recipe
Grilled Watermelon Skewers with Shrimp
Balsamic Reduction Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Dash of fine sea salt
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!
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!
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).
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!!
This is a very good reduction. I’m on my second making of this recipe. Love it on my caprese salad.
So glad you loved it!
Thanks!
It was yummy!
I am from Costa Rica.
Very welcome! Thanks for coming back to let us know!
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.
Thank you! One of our favorites too!
How long is the reduction good for if keeping in the refrigerator?
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.
What is the shelf life? Should it be refrigerated?
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.