5 Aged Balsamic Drizzle Combos That Elevate Any Salad
Autumn brings with it heady greens, juicy stone fruits, and fresh cold bounty. This fall, if you're using all of this to build your salads, we have a surprise in store for you.
Elevate your salads with aged balsamic glaze. It is thick, syrupy, complex, and versatile, making even the simplest salad present gourmet.
Whether grilling it up for a guest at your home or packing a lunch for the week, we bring to you five combinations that will inspire you to rethink your salads.
Let's indulge in some salads with the deliciousness of balsamic glaze.
What Makes Aged Balsamic the Ultimate Salad Upgrade
Aged balsamic is aged in wood barrels for a long time, creating a thick and syrupy texture, along with layers of complex sweet-tangy flavor.
It is not your store-bought vinaigrette. Unlike any commercial dressing, it can stand alone as a dressing simply on its own. A drizzle of this liquid gold dressing will enhance every bite, without overpowering the more delicate autumn ingredients. Balsamic glaze has myriad health benefits, too.
Old-world balsamic dressing is also wonderfully balanced, allowing intense flavors to play off of additional subtle textures, while balancing thicker textures to enhance flavor.
Combo #1: Roasted butternut, Burrata, and Sage with Balsamic Glaze
A classic reimagined, this combination is a celebration of the best seasonal fruits and vegetables available. This smooshy, creamy burrata complements any level of acidity, and the aged balsamic glaze brings everything together nicely with its brightness.
Ingredients:
- Roasted butternut
- Burrata, squashed or creamy
- Sage
- Aged balsamic glaze
- Sea salt flakes
Final Touch:
Build layers of tomatoes and cheese on a platter. Generously drizzle balsamic glaze over the top. Top them with cracked pepper and microgreens for the prettiest presentation ever.
Combo #2: Roasted pears, Arugula, and Prosciutto with Toasted Walnuts
Roasted pears contribute an excellent smoky touch, while the prosciutto provides a good bit of salt. The peppery taste of the arugula and the crunch of the walnuts offset it, and with dressing, that is, our favorite balsamic drizzle, this salad is at the top of your must-try list.
Ingredients:
- Roasted pears
- Baby arugula
- Prosciutto, thinly sliced
- Toasted walnuts
- Aged balsamic glaze
Final Touch:
The balsamic's richness cuts the sugar and salt of every forkful to create a symphony of flavor. Additionally, if you want to go extra creamy, dollop some ricotta on top of the roasted pears.
Combo #3: Watermelon, Feta, and Roasted delicata squash with Lime-Balsamic Drizzle
Bright & Unexpected
A lighter version of autumn-time salads. Watermelon and salty feta are a combo made in heaven, and the thyme and lime-balsamic glaze gives it a little zippiness.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Cubed Feta cheese
- Roasted delicata squash
- Crumbled thyme
- Lime juice
- Aged balsamic glaze
Final Touch:
Take it up a notch and serve it chilled in cocktail glasses as a beautiful party starter. It's as stunning on Instagram as it is to eat!
Combo #4: Roasted Beet, Apples, and Goat Cheese with Pecans
Roasted Beet Salad with Orange and Goat Cheese is a salad that feels like a dish. This salad dressing combines earthy roasted beets and apples, candied pecans, and creamy goat cheese. Balsamic glaze lends a sweet-tart flourish to everything.
Ingredients:
- Roasted beets (sliced)
- Roasted apples
- Candied pecans
- Goat cheese (crumbled)
- Drizzle of aged balsamic
Final Touch:
There's a fair amount of balsamic glaze in this salad, so watch out. To keep everything crispy, plate in layers just before it hits the table.
Combo #5: Baby Kale, Quinoa, and Brussels sprouts with Balsamic Vinaigrette
This salad dressing not only tastes great, but also makes you feel complete with its fiber and protein content. The nuttiness of quinoa and roasted Brussels sprouts complements the acidity and sweetness.
Ingredients:
- Baby kale
- Quinoa (cooked)
- Brussels sprouts (roasted)
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Aged balsamic glaze
Final Touch:
You can also jar it for meal prep or carry on-the-go work lunches, especially as a weekday wellness bowl; just shake and eat!
Where to Source the Best Aged Balsamic for Season Cooking
Choosing the right aged balsamic will improve your seasonal salads tremendously! Here's how to choose the best bottle for your culinary ideas.
To truly elevate your salads, invest in quality aged balsamic. Here's what you should look for:
Labels: Look for labels that read, “Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP” or “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale.”
Production: Look for artisanal and barrel-aged creations. Watch out for added sugars and caramel coloring.
Seek aged balsamic glaze at upscale gourmet shops or specialty sites like the Epicurean Trader.
Let the Dressing Do the Work
When the autumn produce is as fresh and in season as it could be, there isn't much you need to do to have a mouth-watering salad on the table: a drizzle of something great like aged balsamic, and your salad will sing. When autumn's harvest is in full swing, there is no need for elaborate recipes like those with cinnamon or nutmeg.
Whether you’re craving something with rustic roots or just plain (surprisingly) fresh and appealing, these five salad combinations are sure to send you running back out for more!
Ready to move your salads into new territory? Get a good aged balsamic for your salads today!