This 4 ingredient homemade pomegranate balsamic vinegar is can be used as a flavorful, tart marinade or salad dressing. To make this vinegar, you just need pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, shallot, and salt.
[This pomegranate balsamic vinegar recipe was originally posted in January 2018. It has been updated a few times with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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Meals can get really boring, so why not make an easy 3 ingredient sauce to marinate meat in and to turn into a flavor packed salad dressing (I recommend reducing it on the stove first)?
This pomegranate balsamic vinegar recipe does just that. It works as a marinade AND as a salad dressing for a delicious salad.
This vinegar recipe is great because it includes just one unique ingredient: pomegranate juice. It's easy to make, would be a great gift, and is tasty as a marinade or salad dressing.
This recipe works for cooking for one, it makes just one cup! But you can always divide it in half for a smaller batch if you'd like.
But if you do have leftovers, it's easy to freeze for later. Just divide in an ice tray or something so you have smaller cubes. I highly recommend making a full recipe and using in a few recipes or freezing for later.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the pomegranate balsamic vinegar recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- 100% Pomegranate Juice: If you can find 100% juice, the flavor will be the most pomegranate-y, but use what you can find. It's often in glass or plastic juice containers, or you might be able to find it frozen in concentrate.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Vinegar goes well with the sweet/fruity flavors of pomegranate juice.
- Shallot: a shallot is kind of like a mix between an onion and garlic. It adds some sweetness and mild garlicky flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the other flavors in this easy pomegranate balsamic vinegar.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Pour Pomegranate Juice, balsamic vinegar, diced shallot, add a pinch of salt into a medium sized mason jar. Shake.
Marinade meat in your pomegranate balsamic vinegar or reduce and add extra virgin olive oil to use as a salad dressing.
Serve with
I like to marinate pork tenderloin or butt in this, for about 4 hours or so. Cook in Instant Pot on Manual for 15-20 minutes, or slow cook it.
You can serve pomegranate marinated pork with:
- Sauteed kale salad
- Harvest bowl
- Soups: Creamy Asparagus Soup, Curried Pumpkin Soup or Sweet Potato Soup with Tofu
- Single Serving Mac & Cheese
- Add marinated pork to a salad with kale, butternut squash, pomegranate aerils, goat cheese or feta cheese. Top with a dressing made with reduced pomegranate balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Storage Tips
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week, or freeze in small portions for later. This pomegranate balsamic vinegar freezes well and you don't have to find many recipes to make it with at once.
Substitutions/Tips
- Use 100% pomegranate juice in your pomegranate balsamic vinegar, it is more flavorful than other types of juice
- If you don't plan on using leftover pomegranate juice in one of the recipes mentioned below, freeze in ice cubes to add to drinks and sauces.
- Other great add-ins: dijon mustard, olive oil, sugar, etc.
FAQ
It's delicious to marinate meat in, to use as a salad dressing, or reduce and drizzle pomegranate vinegar glaze over vegetables, bread, or anything else. This DIY pomegranate balsamic vinegar is versatile and easy to make.
The polyphenol antioxidants in pomegranates pack lots of health benefits, and taste great, what more do you need? I recommend eating foods you enjoy more than focusing on what's healthy or not.
Thickening balsamic vinegar is easy, just pour it into a saucepan and boil until it thickens, take it off the heat just before it's as thick as you'd like, it hardens quickly.
Repurpose this pomegranate vinegar
- Use ½ cup-1 cup pomegranate balsamic vinegar to marinade a pork loin. Marinade for at least 4 hours, then cook in an Instant Pot for 15-20 minutes.
- Reduce sauce to turn it into a thick sauce. Then add olive oil to use as a salad dressing for a pomegranate salad with sauteed kale, butternut squash, pomegranate aerils, and pork loin marinated in this vinegar.
What to do with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
- Pomegranate juice: pomegranate lime spritzer, add a dash to this Holiday Kale Salad or Vegetarian Harvest Bowl.
- Shallots: add some to this White Bean and Farro Bowl or Creamy Asparagus Soup.
- Balsamic vinegar: use in this Strawberry Salad or Summer Berry Salad with Balsamic.
Did you make this pomegranate balsamic vinegar? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% Pomegranate Juice
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon shallot diced
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup 100% Pomegranate Juice, 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 Tablespoon diced shallot, and a pinch of salt into a medium sized mason jar. Shake.
- If desired, cover pork loin with pomegranate balsamic vinegar to marinade or reduce into syrup to make an easy salad dressing.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days. Sniff it, if it still smells good and looks good, it should be ok to eat, even after 7 days.
Notes
- Use 100% pomegranate juice, it is more flavorful than other types of juice
- If you don't plan on using leftover pomegranate juice in one of the recipes mentioned below, freeze in ice cubes to add to drinks and sauces.
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Lilly says
I’m going to make some for me and my neighbors! How long does this last? A few days? Do I keep it in the frig until I use it?
Rebecca says
oh they'll love it! Yes, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. But honestly, it'll probably last longer. If it smells good and looks about the same, it's probably safe to use.
Ann says
Ohhh, I’m just getting high on pomegranate juice. Once I was prescribed to drink it every day for medical reasons, and since then I can not live without pomegranates. This is so delicious! By the way, I love berry sauces and dressings for hearty dishes. My favorite sauces for meat are cranberry and lingonberry, I often make them. I think pomegranate balsamic vinegar will turn out to be a real masterpiece. I will definitely try to make it. I'm sure this will be my favorite dressing. Thank you for the idea!
Rebecca says
oh this is great to hear, Ann! thanks so much & LMK how it turns out when you try it
Sara says
Oooh I can't wait to make this! I feel like I could use it so many different ways. Thanks!
Rebecca says
yes it's so versatile!
Kelly Anthony says
I'm loving all your ideas for pomegranate juice. I always get so excited when I start to see pomegranates in the grocery store.
Rebecca says
thanks so much! same, it's the best season
Haley D. Williams says
Love this as a marinade!
Rebecca says
it so good as a marinade! thanks
Pam says
I can think of so many dishes this would be good with. Thanks for giving us an easy but delicious recipe!
Rebecca says
that's great! thanks so much