White Balsamic Maple Dressing

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Looking for a balsamic dressing that hits the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and herby? This White Balsamic Maple Dressing is silky, golden, and way more exciting than anything in a bottle. It pours smooth, clings beautifully to greens, and gives every bite that “oh, wow” factor. Plus, it’s made with real maple syrup for natural sweetness and a touch of elegance without being fussy.

A hand pours yellow salad dressing from a jar over a bowl filled with chickpeas, chopped vegetables, kale salad greens, and walnuts.


 

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This balsamic dressing uses simple ingredients, but each one brings real flavor. The maple syrup balances the tangy vinegar, the garlic adds depth, and the tarragon brings a subtle, slightly sweet herbal note.

  • Garlic – Fresh garlic mashed into a paste adds richness that raw chunks just don’t deliver.
  • Maple Syrup – Real maple syrup (not pancake syrup) gives a natural, smooth sweetness.
  • White Balsamic Vinegar – Milder than dark balsamic, it’s light and slightly fruity.
  • Tarragon – Adds a soft, anise-like flavor. You can swap in fresh basil, parsley, or thyme if desired.
  • Olive Oil – Choose a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 2

How to Make White Balsamic Maple Dressing

This balsamic dressing couldn’t be easier. You just smash, whisk, and shake… then drizzle away. For full recipe details, including ingredients needed and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Prep the Garlic

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 11

finely chop garlic

A hand chopping garlic with a chef’s knife on a stone cutting board, prepping ingredients for a fresh kale salad; gold utensils and a napkin sit in the background.

mash garlic with salt into a smooth paste using the side of a knife or spoon

Step 2: Mix the Base

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 20

add maple syrup to the garlic paste

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 22

add tarragon

A hand pours a light-colored liquid from a bowl into a larger bowl containing herbs, brown liquid, minced garlic, and ingredients for a Kale Salad.

add vinegar

Step 3: Emulsify

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whisk in olive oil

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whisk until creamy and fully blended

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

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season with more salt and pepper to your liking

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 41

Tips for Success

  • Mash garlic into a paste so it blends smoothly instead of leaving sharp chunks.
  • Use coarse sea salt to give the garlic some texture for easier mashing.
  • Use a jar with a tight lid for easy shaking and storing.
  • Chill the dressing for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
  • If it separates after sitting, just shake it again.
Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing 54

What to Serve with White Balsamic Maple Dressing

This balsamic dressing is versatile and pairs with so many recipes:

This White Balsamic Maple Dressing is quick to make, full of fresh flavor, and guaranteed to make any salad shine. Once you try it, you’ll keep it on repeat. The printable recipe is below. Have a great day, friends!

A glass jar filled with yellow salad dressing sits on a wooden surface, perfect for drizzling over a fresh kale salad, with a red and white checked lid nearby.

White Balsamic Maple Dressing

Katie Cooksey
This White Balsamic Maple Dressing is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, made with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s smooth, slightly creamy, and great on leafy greens, grain bowls, or roasted veggies.
Be the first to rate this recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 202 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cloves garlic fresh
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup real maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Peel and chop garlic very finely. Sprinkle salt on garlic and using the side of your knife or the back of a spoon, mash the garlic into a paste using the salt as an abrasive. Place garlic and salt into the bottom of a salad dressing container or small bowl.
  • Stir in maple syrup, tarragon and vinegar. Add oil in a constant stream while whisking, or if you’re using a container with a lid, pour it all in and shake it up.
  • You want to emulsify the dressing, or suspend the oil in the other ingredients so it’s evenly mixed. It’ll look sort of creamy when it’s emulsified.
  • Taste and add more salt and pepper to your liking.

Video

Notes

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigerator – Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
  • Shake Before Serving – The oil may separate, but a quick shake brings it back together.
  • Make Ahead – Great to prep in advance, just keep it chilled.
  • Freezer – This balsamic dressing isn’t ideal for freezing since oil and vinegar separate when thawed.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0.2gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 151mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword balsamic dressing, white balsamic maple dressing
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Variations

  • Fresh Herbs – Swap dried tarragon for fresh parsley, basil, or thyme.
  • Citrus Twist – Add a squeeze of lemon or orange juice for extra brightness.
  • Mustard Kick – Whisk in a teaspoon of Dijon for a tangier, creamier dressing.
  • Honey Option – Sub in honey if maple syrup isn’t on hand.

More Recipes to Try

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

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Hi, I'm Katie, a professional recipe developer who spends countless hours perfecting recipes so you can know with confidence that what you see is exactly what you’ll get.

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