If your only use for balsamic vinegar is salad dressing, you’re missing out, especially with real, aged DOP balsamic from Modena. Thick, syrupy, and complex, it’s a finishing ingredient that elevates both savory and sweet dishes. Here’s how to use it.

Savory ideas

• Drizzle over grilled vegetables, steak, or roasted tomatoes.
• Finish risotto or a creamy soup with a few drops.
• Pair with Parmigiano-Reggiano, a classic Modena combination.
• Add to a cheese board alongside your olive oil.

Sweet ideas (yes, really)

• Drizzle over fresh strawberries or figs.
• Finish vanilla gelato or panna cotta.
• Add depth to dark chocolate desserts.

A little goes a long way

Real DOP balsamic is concentrated, aged 12 to 25 years, so use it as a finishing touch, not a pour. Shop our DOP balsamic →

Keep reading

• What Is DOP Balsamic Vinegar?
• Umbria: Heart of Italian Olive Oil
• Cooking vs. Finishing

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