?
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steak Bowl | Nutrition Stripped
Eat Well Mar. 1. 2022
Flavor Factor

Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mar. 1. 2022
Flavor Factor
McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

Founder of Nutrition Stripped and the Mindful Nutrition Method™

This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette will add so much flavor to your next delicious homemade salad. 

Our core belief here is that balanced eating should be both nutrient-dense and delicious-dense! One of the unique elements in our Foundational Five system for creating balanced meals is the Flavor Factor, which is all about adding ingredients that help make your meal taste delicious and even more nutritious, including sauces, dressings, spices, and herbs.

Made with dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar, this Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette will quickly become your go-to dressing for all of your homemade salads or bowls! 

Make this Flavor Factor recipe on your batch cooking day and you’ll be able to enjoy it in a variety of ways throughout the week! 

Using The Foundational Five To Create This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

In case you’re new to the NS Community and the Mindful Nutrition Method, the Foundational Five system is part of how we teach you to build balanced meals. It makes it easy for you to give your body the nourishment you need while having the flexibility to enjoy the foods you love without stressing about food.

The Foundational Five is made up of five elements of nutrition. This includes Protein, Fat, Non-starchy Carbohydrates, starchy & Sugary Carbohydrates, and the Flavor Factor. The Flavor Factor brings vibrancy, deliciousness, and enjoyment to your meals! 

You can download our free guide that walks you through our Foundational Five system for creating balanced meals that you can use to meal prep or cook fresh this week!

Balsamic Vinegar Nutrition Benefits

  • Contributes to a healthy gut microbiome due to its acetic acid content 
  • Fights free radicals through a potent antioxidant count
  • Promotes healthy blood sugar levels 
  • Contains antimicrobial properties 

Ingredients Needed To Make This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Garlic or Shallot
  • Mayo (or vegan mayo)

How To Make This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

First, simply gather your ingredients including olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic or shallots, honey, and mayo. Next, combine all in a container with a resealable lid. Lastly, shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified.

Tips for Making This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

There’s a tip you should keep in mind that will help you easily store this Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Store in Air-tight Glass Swing Bottles 

Utilizing air-tight glass swing bottles for storage will keep your dressing tasting fresh and delicious for up to a week. Plus, their pour-friendly tops make it easy to mix into any salad, grain bowl, or stir fry!  

Double or Triple the Recipe!

Want this dressing to last you all week long for many delicious salads and balanced meals? Then just double or triple the recipe amount to fill up a glass jar to coast you through many balanced salads.

What To Serve With This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette To Make It Balanced

This dressing is a great source of flavor factors and fat, meaning it will add a boost of enjoyment and satiety to any meal!

To help round it out and make a Foundational Five meal, be sure to add it to a bowl, dish, or plate that has your other Foundational Five components (protein, starchy or sugary carbohydrates, and non-starchy carbohydrate).  Salads are such an easy way to incorporate all of these ingredients! 

FAQ About How To Make This Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette:

Do I have to use shallots?

Not necessarily! If you don’t have shallots on hand, or you usually don’t prefer them, you can omit them and just use the garlic clove.

How long will this recipe last?

When stored in an air-tight glass container, you can use this dressing for up to a week. 

Foundational Five Breakdown

Protein

  • n/a

Starchy and Sugary Carbohydrates

  • honey

Non-starchy Carbohydrates

  • n/a

Fat

  • olive oil
  • mayonnaise

Flavor Factor 

  • balsamic vinegar
  • dijon mustard
  • shallot
  • honey
  • salt
  • pepper

The Recipe

Serves

Print

Ingredients

⅓ cup olive oil

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)

1 small shallot, finely diced (or 1 clove of garlic minced)

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

In a container with a resealable lid combine all ingredients and shake until combined. You may also pour all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk until combined.

Seal the container tightly and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well combined and emulsified.

Step 2

Store dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week.

After storing, shake dressing before each use to emulsify.

Enjoy!

More Flavor Factor Dressing Recipes

Honey Mustard Dressing

Peanut Sauce

Maple Miso Glaze

Do You Want To Start Experiencing More Balance With Your Eating Habits Today?

Discover the simple yet effective tools you can start using at your next meal to experience more balance with your food choices today, plus the steps to maintain balanced eating habits for life.

Be sure to download our free balanced eating guide that brings you through the Foundational Five so you understand not only what components you need, but also why they’re important for your health and why this way of eating is helpful for creating balanced eating habits. 

Download The Free Guide Now

The Mindful Nutrition Method™

Do You Want To Cultivate A Positive Relationship With Food?

Learn about the 3-part method you need to create and maintain balanced eating habits for life. Plus, how you can get support from my team and me when you apply to join The Mindful Nutrition Method™ program.

Apply Now →

Be Free With Food.

Embrace a Balanced & Peaceful Relationship with Food.

Learn the proven method to feel confident, calm, and in control with food without obsessing or stressing. Start your journey now to experience the freedom and peace that comes with a healthy relationship with food.

🌿 Mindful Nutrition Method™ Course
🌱 Downloadable Worksheets & Templates
✍️ Practice Lab Trainings
🧠 Group Coaching Call Replays
💬 Journal Prompts
🔑 Practical, Effective, & Enjoyable Tools
📱 Self-paced Lessons at Your Fingertips
💫 Built-in Accountability
Start Today →