How to Make Balsamic Glaze

Balsamic glaze in a small glass jar with a spoon lifting some up and drizzling back into the jar.

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Add a sweet & tangy kick to any dish with this easy balsamic glaze recipe! Learn to make it with a simple process that's ready in 20 minutes!

Course Sauces, Tutorial

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 82kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

Ingredients

2 cups balsamic vinegar
¼ cup brown sugar optional, for sweetness

Instructions

Pour the balsamic vinegar (and brown sugar if using) into a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring the balsamic vinegar to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the vinegar to simmer slowly for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a heat resistant spoon. As it simmers, the balsamic vinegar will reduce and thicken, forming a syrupy consistency. Keep an eye on it to prevent it from burning or boiling over.
To test the consistency of the glaze, dip the spoon into the saucepan and lift it out. The glaze should coat the back of the spoon and slowly drip off. If it's too thin, continue simmering for a few more minutes. If it's too thick, you can add a splash of water or more balsamic vinegar to thin it out.
Once the glaze has reached your desired consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Transfer the glaze to a clean, airtight container and let it cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken slightly more. Makes ½ cup.

Notes

Storage: Transfer the balsamic reduction to an airtight container like a jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Tips:

Heat control. When simmering the balsamic vinegar, it's important to keep an eye on the heat to prevent it from boiling over or burning. This gentle simmering process allows the vinegar to gradually reduce and thicken.

Adjust for sweetness. The brown sugar is optional but provides a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy acidity of the balsamic vinegar. You can leave it out or adjust the amount to suit your taste preference.

Experiment with flavors. This is a basic tutorial on how to make balsamic reduction but you can get creative and experiment with different flavors. Infuse the glaze during simmering with herbs like rosemary or thyme or add a touch of honey for extra sweetness.

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