This Homemade Balsamic Glaze (Balsamic Reduction) is a great condiment to have on hand. In just 15 minutes, using two simple ingredients, you can make this syrupy glaze with complex sweet and tangy flavours. You will find many ways in which to use it; it can turn a simple dish into something special with its perfectly balanced, intense flavour and rich colour.
Sterilise the jar or bottle you'll be using to store the Homemade Balsamic Glaze.Choose a glass jar/bottle with an airtight lid and ensure they have been washed by hand in hot soapy water then rinsed well.Preheat your oven to 130 Degrees C (270 F) and place the jar/bottle in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Allow the lid to air dry.
For the Homemade Balsamic Glaze:
Combine the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a small non-reactive saucepan. (See Note 2.)Cook, stirring occasionally, over low heat for about 4 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 15 – 17 minutes or until reduced by about half. Remove from the heat and allow the glaze to cool.The time it takes to reduce will depend on the surface area of your saucepan and the amount of heat applied.
It is best to not over-reduce your balsamic glaze. It will continue to thicken as it cools. When yours has cooled, if it is not as thick as you would like, you can always put it back on the stove for a short time.If you have over-reduced it, add a small amount of water and warm through to thin it slightly.Pour the cooled glaze into a sterilised jar or bottle and store in the fridge for up to one month.
Notes
Tablespoon: we use a standard Australian tablespoon which is 20 ml (4 teaspoons).
Non-reactive saucepans: are those which are ceramic, stainless steel, glass or enamelled cookware. Copper, iron and aluminium pans are reactive. Acidic foods, such as vinegar, may take on a metallic taste and discolour if cooked in such pans.
Storage: store in the fridge in the sterilised jar or bottle for up to a month.
Nutritional information: is estimated based on the entire jar.