Best Olive Oil & Balsamic Pairings Guide

Pairings are infinite — but these are our go-to combinations that make salads brighter, proteins bolder, and weeknight dinners ridiculously easy.  Explore, experiment, and have fun.

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar pairing board — EVOO Marketplace

Tip: For dipping, try 1:1. For vinaigrette, start with 2:1 (oil:balsamic).
Food Key
🥗 V = Vegetables & Salads
🐖 P = Pork
🍗 C = Chicken
🥩 B = Beef
🍤 S = Seafood
Perfect Vinaigrette Ratio
Start with 2 parts olive oil : 1 part balsamic.
Adjust to taste depending on sweetness and acidity.

⭐ The Essential Pairings

These are our most versatile combinations and the best place to start. Each balsamic below pairs beautifully with a wide range of olive oils, so you can confidently build vinaigrettes, marinades, roasted vegetables, and everyday “go-to” dishes.

18 Year Traditional • 12 Year Dark • Ultra White • Ultra Rosé

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥩 B

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥩 B

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🍤 S

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🍤 S

 

🍋 Citrus Pairings

Bright, fresh, and incredibly versatile. Citrus olive oils bring lift and balance to salads, seafood, chicken, vegetables, and fruit.  These pairings highlight our Lemon, Lime, and Orange olive oils combined with balsamics that enhance their natural brightness.

Lemon • Lime • Orange

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🌿 Herb & Savory Pairings

Bold, aromatic, and dinner-friendly. These pairings shine on roasted vegetables, pasta, pizza, grilled chicken, pork, and Mediterranean flavors. Start with 2:1 (olive oil:balsamic) for vinaigrettes and marinades.

Basil • Black Pepper • Herbes de Provence • Rosemary • Smoked • Toasted Sesame

 

🍗 C • 🐖 P • 🥗 V

 

🍗 C • 🐖 P • 🥗 V

 

🥩 B • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍓 Fruit & Salad Stars

Fresh, bright, and insanely versatile. These pairings are made for tossed greens, berries, goat cheese, grilled chicken, and quick 2-minute vinaigrettes. Start with 2:1 (olive oil:balsamic), then adjust to taste.

Blackberry Ginger • Blueberry • Cascadian Raspberry • Peach • Pineapple • Raspberry (Dark) & more

 

 

🍤 S • 🥗 V • 🍗 C

 

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🍤 S • 🐖 P • 🍗 C • 🥗 V

 

🥗 V • 🐖 P • 🍗 C

 

🍹 Mocktails & Spritzers

White and Rosé balsamics are a secret weapon for drinks. Add ½–1 tsp to sparkling water, club soda, tonic, lemonade, iced tea, or a simple spritzer. They bring bright fruit flavor with a gentle tang—no syrups required.

Ultra White • Ultra Rosé • Strawberry Kiwi Rosé • Watermelon Rosé • Montmorency Cherry Rosé • Cucumber & more

 

Ultra White Balsamic + Sparkling Water (easy spritzer)
🍹 Best with: lemon wedge • mint • fresh berries

 

Ultra Rosé Balsamic + Club Soda (rosé spritz vibe)
🍹 Best with: orange slice • basil • frozen fruit

 

🍹 Crisp & refreshing • also great in iced tea

 

Strawberry Kiwi Rosé + Sparkling Water
🍹 Add: strawberry slices • lime • basil

 

Watermelon Rosé + Sparkling Water (summer spritz)
🍹 Add: mint • cucumber ribbons • lime

 

Montmorency Cherry Rosé + Club Soda (tart cherry spritz)
🍹 Add: orange slice • rosemary sprig • frozen cherries

 

🍫 Dessert & Brunch Pairings

Sweet, rich, and surprisingly versatile. These pairings are perfect for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, fruit, ice cream, roasted sweet potatoes, and “wow” glazes. Start light, taste, and build—some balsamics are naturally sweeter.

Maple • Chocolate • Espresso • Fruit-forward favorites (great for brunch & dessert)

 

🧇 Waffles • 🥞 Pancakes • 🍠 Sweet potatoes • 🐟 Salmon glaze

 

🥩 Steak finish • 🍓 berries • 🍨 ice cream • 🌶️ sweet heat drizzle

 

🥩 steak glaze • 🍨 vanilla gelato • 🥣 yogurt • ☕ mocha vibes

 

🥞 pancakes • 🍓 fruit • 🥣 yogurt • 🧀 cheese board drizzle

 

🔥 Smoky • Spicy • BBQ Pairings

Big flavor for tacos, wings, burgers, ribs, grilled veggies, and smoky marinades. These pairings are fantastic for quick BBQ glazes and bold vinaigrettes. Start with 2:1 (olive oil:balsamic) for sauces and marinades, then adjust.

Baklouti • Chipotle • Smoked • Black Pepper (and more)

 

🌮 tacos • 🍤 shrimp • 🥗 salads • 🍗 chicken

 

🍤 seafood • 🌮 fish tacos • 🥗 slaw • 🍗 chicken

 

🥩 steak finish • 🍖 ribs • 🍗 wings • 🌶️ sweet-heat glaze

 

🍔 burgers • 🥩 brisket • 🍖 ribs • 🍗 grilled chicken

 

🍖 pork • 🍗 chicken • 🥩 beef • 🥗 grilled veggies

 

🍕 pizza • 🍝 pasta • 🥩 steak • 🥗 caprese twist

 

Ready to mix the perfect vinaigrette or marinade?
Start with 2:1 (olive oil:balsamic) for vinaigrettes, then adjust for sweetness and acidity.  For dipping bread, 1:1 is a great starting point.