This balsamic reduction takes just one ingredient and 10 minutes to make. This delicious balsamic glaze tastes amazing drizzled over fruit, vegetables, pasta, crostini, and meat.
I love balsamic vinegar! I use it to make macerated Italian strawberries, I add it to my pesto pasta , I even drizzle it over goat cheese crostini. Balsamic vinegar just makes so many recipes taste even more amazing and it adds such an amazing depth of flavor.
When you reduce balsamic vinegar over medium heat on the stovetop, it produces the most delicious sweet and thick glaze. This deepens the flavors of the balsamic and really elevates the sweet notes of the balsamic vinegar.
Any recipe that calls for balsamic vinegar will get a real flavor boost with this balsamic reduction.
How to make balsamic reduction
You only need one simple ingredient to make this balsamic reduction and that is balsamic vinegar. There is no additional sugar or other ingredients that are necessary.
Here is what it looks like:
- Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Allow the balsamic vinegar to simmer for about 10-15 minutes. This timing will depend on your balsamic vinegar and the type of pan you are using.
- Once the balsamic vinegar reduces to about half, remove from the heat and pour into a container to cool.
Tip: You will know when the balsamic is reduced enough when you place a spoon in the vinegar and the balsamic glaze coats the spoon and sticks and the vinegar is reduced by almost half. It will continue to thicken when it cools. If you find you over-reduced your vinegar (too thick), you can add a little more balsamic vinegar to the reduction and mix it well.
Substitutions
For this recipe, I have used a regular balsamic vinegar from Modena which most people are familiar with. There is also a white balsamic vinegar that is available in stores and it can be reduced the same way.
Storage
If you do have any leftover, you can store it in an air-tight container in your pantry for quite a while. Much like storing regular vinegar in the pantry, you want to make sure it is not exposed to light or heat during storage.
FAQ
It will only take about 10-15 minutes to reduce balsamic vinegar over medium heat.
Yes, you can. Just follow the same steps that you use to reduce any balsamic vinegar to achieve a white balsamic reduction.
More Delicious Sauces
Looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
Balsamic Reduction Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Balsamic vinegar preferably from Modena.
- Honey optional. If you prefer a really sweet reduction, add 1 tablespoon of honey.
Instructions
- Add balsamic to a small sauce over medium heat and bring to simmer. If you prefer a very sweet reduction, add 1 tablespoon of honey (optional).2 cups Balsamic vinegar
- Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cook until the balsamic is reduced by half.
- Once reduced, pour balsamic into a small bowl and set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, use over chicken, crostini, fruit or pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer hereTried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Amanda says
We made this balsamic reduction and it was so good! Very easy in fact I was surprised how fast it happens 🙂
Thank you for this recipe.
Melissa says
Hi Amanda. I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂 it does cook up really fast!