Balsamic Glaze Recipe (Balsamic Reduction) (2024)

FAQs

Is balsamic glaze the same as balsamic reduction? ›

Balsamic glaze is also called a “balsamic reduction.” It is essentially a reduction of balsamic vinegar. Additional sweeteners like honey or sugar can be added. The balsamic vinegar is simmered in a saucepan until it has reduced down and thickened to a maple-syrup consistency.

The vinegar won't thicken immediately! Reduce to ½ or ⅓ cup and then allow to cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Don't cook for too long because you're worried that it isn't reducing.

To make a glaze, you only need that one ingredient: balsamic vinegar. Many recipes call for an added sweetener of some sort — usually sugar or honey. Cooking it down with those additions helps it cook faster while adding a hint of flavour to the glaze.

For every 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar.

This product does not need to be refrigerated after opening. If you like your glaze chilled it may be stored in the refrigerator. This is personal preference.

If you reduce the vinegar too much, it will harden when it cools. Next time, try reducing the cook time. If you need to salvage hardened balsamic reduction, you can reheat it with a bit of water to thin it out.

It has a dark, almost honey-like sweetness and complexity, with a hint of residual tartness. By reducing the balsamic vinegar, you decrease the sourness and make the sugars even more pronounced. The flavor is difficult to describe because it is uniquely its own.

Just add one cup of balsamic vinegar to a small pot. Bring that to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.

In the case of a balsamic reduction, the high acid and sugar content will stop bacterial growth. Since the reduction also contains acid, anything that could have been oxidized has already oxidized. Therefore a balsamic reduction should last pretty much forever.

This versatile vinegar may enhance skin health, support healthy weight maintenance by increasing satiety, promote digestive health, lower blood pressure and improve blood sugar control. However, overconsumption may damage tooth enamel and lead to acid reflux or heartburn.

Why is balsamic glaze so expensive? ›

It takes 12 years to make the best, aceto balsamico tradizionale (traditional balsamic vinegar), and at least 25 to make the finest, extra Vecchio. Because of traditional balsamic vinegar's painstaking artisanal production process, supplies are limited, and it tends to be rather pricey.

The first important concept to understand is that Balsamic glaze, also called Balsamic cream, is a reduction of Balsamic Vinegar. Its preparation then starts from this product, to which various ingredients are added, such as sugar, flour, starch and butter.

Crystallization is due to the rearrangements of the α-d-glucose monohydrate molecules; while, jamming is caused by the crowding of amorphous long-living colloids of unidentified substances that eventually separated into a space-limited solid-like phase or into a gel network spanning the available volume.

The main difference between balsamic glaze and balsamic vinaigrette lies in their consistency and usage. Balsamic glaze has a thick syrupy consistency, while balsamic vinaigrette is thinner and pourable.

White balsamic vinegar substitute: Substitute white balsamic vinegar with white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar to prevent color changes in your recipe.

Glaze is more of a topping, it adds a lot of sweetness with a bit of zing. The vinegar form is obviously very acid, so it's better for dressings. You can also add it to your olive oil and put it on vegetables to roast in the oven.