Homemade Balsamic Glaze (Balsamic Reduction)
Total Time
13 minutes
Prep Time
1 minute
Cook Time
12 minutes
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(5)
Ingredients
1/2 cup
- 1 cup (or more) runny balsamic vinegar
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Preparation
Step 1
Bring the vinegar to a boil in a small, thick bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
Step 2
Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often, until the vinegar is reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes (or considerably longer if starting with more than 1 cup vinegar). You will likely need to dial down the heat over time.
Step 3
Allow the reduction to cool. Drizzle as desired! Transfer leftover glaze to an air-tight jar and store in the pantry for up to 6 months.
Step 4
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Chef's notes
Start with a decent runny balsamic vinegar. It needn’t cost a lot, but watch out for any strange additives in the ingredients list, like caramel coloring.
Use a small, heavy-bottomed pot. If your pot is too large, your vinegar can evaporate too quickly and scorch.
Run your exhaust fan. This recipe will make your kitchen smell like vinegar, and running your exhaust fan and cracking a window will help reduce the smell.
Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. As the volume of liquid decreases, continue dialing down the heat.
Stir often and keep an eye on the stove. It’s very easy to get distracted while making this glaze. Keep an eye on it so the vinegar doesn’t bubble over the pot or scorch over high heat.
