There are certainly some dishes that are often closely associated with gourmet olive oil and vinegar. Mediterranean cuisine. A vinaigrette. A bread dipping combination to accompany a meal. A marinade.
While our typical go-to uses for olive oil and vinegar can be quite exciting, those dishes are often just the start of the many wonderful things that you can make with these two powerhouse ingredients.
Here we explore both those savored favorite uses of olive oil and vinegar, as well as unexpected uses that you can try today.
Common Uses for Gourmet Olive Oil & Vinegar
Since olive oil and balsamic vinegar are both very versatile and healthy ingredients, there are so many ways you can savor the flavors in your dishes. There are some dishes that are perhaps more well-known uses for these gourmet ingredients. And for good reason! Chances are, you’ve probably used olive oil and vinegar in dishes like:
Homemade Healthy Salad Dressings
Making a vinaigrette with these two flavor-packed ingredients can be one of the easiest–and most entertaining–ways to use olive oil and vinegar. This is a great way to control the amount of added sugar and salt in your dressing; you don’t need to add them at all! You can easily make your own olive oil and vinegar dressing using just two ingredients.
To make a simple salad dressing, all you need to do is combine a complementary pairing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a ratio of three parts oil to one part balsamic. You can adjust that ratio based on your taste preferences. Shake and pour over your salad just before serving.
Check out the salad section of our recipe page to find a dressing perfect for your salad. And, to make salad dressings even easier, check out our Salad Dressing Jar Kit.
Bread Dipping
You may find it at Italian restaurants as an appetizer before the main course arrives. Warm bread slices and a plate of oil, balsamic, and spices makes for a flavor-packed starter–or snack for any time of day!
While there are so many balsamic vinegars and olive oils that work so well for bread dipping, some of our favorites include Tuscan Herb olive oil and 18 Year balsamic vinegar or any SELECT olive oil and Herbs of Naples balsamic vinegar.
Marinades
How do you make your grilled steak or sautéed chicken taste so juicy and flavorful? A marinade! Using olive oil and balsamic vinegar, you can create a marinade that makes your meat more tender and flavorful.
These marinades are full of flavor so you can massage it into your protein instead of drowning it like you need to with other store-bought products. Typically, you can start with a ratio of three parts oil to one part balsamic for a marinade. Check out the meat and poultry section of our recipe page to discover a marinade perfect for your meat of choice.
In addition to these, you can also use olive oil and vinegar in many other dishes, including:
- Toss olive oil with vegetables before roasting.
- Brush olive oil on bread slices for bruschetta.
- Sauté vegetables in olive oil and then drizzle with a balsamic at the end.
These are just the beginning of the many many ways to enjoy extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. While these may be the most common ways to use these flavor-packed ingredients, they certainly aren’t the only ways.
Next, we’ll share some unexpected ways to enjoy gourmet olive oil and vinegar.
Unexpected Culinary Uses for Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
With such versatility, olive oil and balsamic vinegar can be used in so many delicious dishes. Marinades, salad dressings, and bread dipping is just the start. Here are some perhaps surprising ways you can incorporate these healthy ingredients into your cooking.
Drinks & Cocktails
Cheers! We love the opportunity to infuse that rich balsamic flavor in beverages! With a fruity balsamic like West Michigan Blueberry or Cranberry Pear, you can add that fresh flavor without all the added sugars. Try recipes like this Balsamic Lemonade, which uses Sicilian Lemon balsamic vinegar. Try it in both cocktails and mocktails for your get-togethers!
Plus, have you ever tried a “shrub”? No, not the outdoor greenery but the vinegar-inspired beverage. Check out this blog article to learn all about it.
Top Off Yogurt
Add an extra pop of flavor by drizzling a fruity balsamic in your yogurt. “No sugar added” yogurt never tasted so good! Take it a step further and drizzle that bowl of ice cream with the sweet pop of balsamic vinegar.
Get Baking!
Olive oil can be a great and healthy alternative to include in cakes and other baked goods. This apple pound cake replaces butter with Butter olive oil, making it just a bit healthier, too! Check out this blog article to learn more about baking with olive oil.
Zest Up Cream Soups
If your creamy soup is feeling a bit one-dimensional, add in a drizzle of flavor-infused olive oil to give it a bit of pep. This Broccoli Cheddar soup recipe includes Herbs de Provence olive oil to start the soup on a flavorful note.
Pizza
There are some exciting ways to use both olive oil and balsamic vinegar in your pizza night creations. With the help of Fustini’s Pizza mix, you can whip up a dough really quick using a flavorful olive oil. Then, after you add your toppings and bake (or grill!) the pizza, drizzle a dark balsamic like 18 Year balsamic vinegar for an additional flavor pop.
This works great especially with Italian-inspired pizzas with ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. You can even use our own marinara sauce that has Fustini’s Arbequina SELECT olive oil!
Discover Exciting Uses for Olive Oil & Vinegar
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are such versatile and recipe-friendly ingredients that will have you wanting to use them in everything you make! While marinades and salad dressings are always good, there is so much more these powerful ingredients have to offer.
So pick up your favorite bottles and get cooking! Check out our recipe page for access to so many great recipes. We can’t wait to see what you make!