DIY Balsamic Glaze Recipe

I will be the first person to admit that my love for balsamic glaze goes way beyond love.. I am an addict. There is almost nothing in this world that isn't made better by this dark & sweet glaze: pizza; tomatoes; salads; fruits...yep, the list goes on and on. I always ask for it in restaurants when available but have never purchased it for my home due to one main thing...COST.

As we all know, I am first- organic and second -frugal and sadly the options on the retail market didn't fit either. The ingredients lists on most available glazes have things like added sugar, modified starches, and stabilizers - none of which fit my diet needs and the cost is typically a few times higher than a regular bottle of balsamic vinegar!

So, I finally decided it was time to do a little DIY. I was happy to find that making your own glaze was sooo easy!  It really is just reduced balsamic vinegar. You only need one ingredient!

You CAN make it Organic!

What you will need:
Balsamic Vinegar (any brand)

Directions: This honestly can't get any easier

1.  Pour 2 cups of balsamic glaze into a pan and bring to a simmer
2. Reduce Heat and let it go for about 20-30 minutes.
3. Continually check your glaze as burnt vinegar does NOT smell good!
4. Let it cool and enjoy it. You may find that your glaze gets very firm when stored in the refrigerator. No problem! Just warm it slightly in the microwave before using .

That's it! It is honestly that easy! When your reduction is finished, you will have about 1/4 of the vinegar that you started with. Use this dark goodness on pizzas, pork & chicken dishes,  breads, salads, and even strawberries for a classy sophisticated touch.

Once you make the traditional glaze, you may find yourself wanting to experiment! You can start getting creative by adding in things like fresh herbs and spices. Some people may like to add a little bit of sugar to the vinegar before it simmers to kick up the sweet notes. If you are really feeling sassy, throw in a few blackberries!

If you are looking for something exciting to try your new glaze on...try my O-O Mushetta Pizza! It's inspired by the Holy Shitake pizza from Mellow Mushroom and is a real crowd pleaser!

I promise that the pictures don't do it any justice!

I hope you enjoy your glaze! Be sure to follow me on social media to keep up with all of my healthy and frugal living tips!

Are you addicted to balsamic glaze like I am!? What do you put your glaze on?