Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar

Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar are a delicious and easy way to jazz up strawberries and go so well with so many foods. Many people might not think of balsamic and strawberries together but believe me, it really sweetens them up beautifully. It is the Italian way to make macerated strawberries.

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My favorite part about this balsamic strawberries recipe is I get to take the strawberries that I left in the fridge for too long and that are just starting to not look great, and by adding the balsamic and some sugar, it totally hides all of the imperfections. We all know strawberries turn bad quickly (just a couple days sometimes) and this strawberry recipe will totally hide that.

If you are familiar with macerated strawberries, this is the same process but we are going to add some sweet balsamic vinegar as well. You mix it all together let it sit for a little bit and then you are left with the most amazing topping for desserts, drinks or cakes.

Here are the ingredients that you will need to make these Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar:

1. Fresh strawberries
2. Sugar
3. Balsamic vinegar

Very manageable and a great unexpected way to serve strawberries to guests! I love waiting to see how pleasantly surprised people are when they first try this combo of favors and love it. It really is delicious.

The process (as I mentioned earlier) is the same as macerating strawberries, which is just a simple process of adding sugar to fruit and allowing the sugar to draw the juices out.

Here is what the process of macerating the strawberries with balsamic and sugar looks like:

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As I said earlier, these strawberries go so well so many things. I love making a simple dessert with balsamic strawberries over store bought ice cream but here are some more ideas for how to use them.

Ideas for how to use balsamic strawberries:

• On top of goat cheese crostini with an extra drizzle of honey (my favorite!)- Steps to make this is in the recipe below.
• As a topping for ice cream (my second favorite)
• As a topping to Panna cotta (another really easy Italian dessert you should try!)
• As an add in to lemonade. A spoonful of these berries with some of the balsamic in your lemonade is amazing!
• In my strawberry and basil mocktail! So good.
• To serve alongside cake (my favorite cake for this is angel food cake).
• This recipe for a no bake Balsamic strawberry tiramisu from the Seaside Baker.
• As an add in for cocktails.
• On it's own!
• Over pancakes or French toast.
• Or any recipe that calls for strawberries.

Tips for making these Balsamic Strawberries:

Sugar in the balsamic strawberries-

The balsamic vinegar actually helps make the strawberries sweeter so you will not need as much sugar when you are macerating them. You will notice that the recipe calls for only 3 tablespoon for an entire pint of strawberries.

This makes the strawberries plenty sweet when combined with the vinegar. If you decide you want even more sugar after tasting them, just add 1 extra tablespoon, mix well and wait 5 more minutes.

Alternately, if you decide you want to use less, start out with 2 tablespoons with the vinegar and strawberries and let it sit for a bit. Taste to see if it is sweet enough for your taste. If you need more sugar just add 1 more tablespoon, mix well and let it sit for 5 more minutes.

Should you refrigerate the strawberries after you make it?

I always make the balsamic strawberries a few hours before I need them and leave them out on the counter covered in plastic wrap until I am ready to use them.

If I have any leftover after using them that day, I do store them in the fridge covered.

You can store them for up to 2 days. After that the strawberries will just become too soft.

Can I substitute honey for the sugar in this recipe?

Yes! You will want to mix the honey and balsamic vinegar very well in your bowl before adding the strawberries to make sure the honey is well incorporated. The honey will add a light floral not that the sugar does not but it will be delicious.

Can I add other ingredients like herbs to the strawberries and balsamic?

Definitely! Adding basil to balsamic strawberries is my favorite combination. You can also add thyme or mint and they would taste wonderful.

These are so simple and so delicious which is my type of recipe! I hope you give this Balsamic strawberries a try. I know you'll love it.