Quick Answer: Our top pick for balsamic glaze on a charcuterie board is Bertolli Balsamic Glaze (4.7 out of 5). Least sweet: DeLallo Balsamic Glaze. Bertolli is also one of the cheapest. We ranked 5 widely sold options on how they work on a board, published taste tests and awards, ingredients, value and how easy they are to find.
A drizzle of balsamic glaze turns burrata, fresh mozzarella, strawberries or Parmesan into something that looks finished. Glazes range from syrupy and sweet to tart and vinegary. These rankings lean on Sporked's balsamic glaze test, plus ingredients, price and how easy each one is to find.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests and awards, its ingredient list, price and where you can buy it, plus how that style of product behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Bertolli Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★★½ 4.7 |
| Least sweet: DeLallo Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bertolli Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★★½ 4.7 | Drizzling over everything |
| 2. Monari Federzoni Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | Sweet, thick drizzles |
| 3. DeLallo Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Guests who don't like sweet |
| 4. DiBruno Bros Balsamic Glaze ($$) | ★★★½☆ 3.6 | Mild cheeses |
| 5. Modenaceti Balsamic Glaze ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.6 | Real balsamic flavor |
1. Bertolli Balsamic Glaze
★★★★½ 4.7 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Drizzling over everything · $ budget
Sporked's best of the best, with 9.5 out of 10: syrupy, deep in color and "the perfect mix of sweet and sour." Both testers picked it first.
- Why we like it: The top score, and it's cheap and everywhere.
- Keep in mind: Thickened like most supermarket glazes, so check the label if that matters to you.
- Where to buy: Most grocery stores, Walmart and Target.
2. Monari Federzoni Balsamic Glaze
★★★★☆ 3.9 out of 5 · Best for: Sweet, thick drizzles · $ budget
The thickest glaze in Sporked's test, scored 8.5 out of 10. It's mostly sweet, bordering on too sweet eaten straight.
- Why we like it: Holds a neat line on burrata or fruit.
- Keep in mind: Sweet more than tangy.
- Where to buy: Grocery stores and Walmart.
3. DeLallo Balsamic Glaze
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Least sweet · Best for: Guests who don't like sweet · $ budget
Sporked scored it 8 out of 10 and named it the best tart glaze: tangier and less sweet than the others, with a bright, acidic bite.
- Why we like it: Cuts through rich cheese and cured meat.
- Keep in mind: Thinner and less glossy.
- Where to buy: Grocery stores and Italian aisles.
4. DiBruno Bros Balsamic Glaze
★★★½☆ 3.6 out of 5 · Best for: Mild cheeses · $$ mid-range
Very thick and sweet, and Sporked's pick for the best cling, with 9 out of 10. Sporked said it works best with mild cheese and "doesn't taste a ton like balsamic vinegar."
- Why we like it: Clings to fresh mozzarella and burrata without running.
- Keep in mind: Pricier, and light on balsamic flavor.
- Where to buy: Di Bruno Bros shops, online and some grocers.
5. Modenaceti Balsamic Glaze
★★★½☆ 3.6 out of 5 · Best for: Real balsamic flavor · $ budget
Sporked gave it 8 out of 10 for the best balsamic flavor: not very sweet, and it "really does taste like someone just concentrated the flavor of balsamic vinegar."
- Why we like it: Tastes most like the vinegar itself.
- Keep in mind: Less widely stocked.
- Where to buy: Stop & Shop, ShopRite, H-E-B and other grocers.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests and awards (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertolli Balsamic Glaze | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4.7 |
| Monari Federzoni Balsamic Glaze | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
| DeLallo Balsamic Glaze | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
| DiBruno Bros Balsamic Glaze | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.6 |
| Modenaceti Balsamic Glaze | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.6 |
What to look for on the label
Label check: Look for "Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP" (balsamic vinegar of Modena) near the top of the ingredient list. Many glazes are thickened with starch or sweetened with sugar. That's fine for drizzling, but the shorter the list, the more it tastes like balsamic.
Skip: Using glaze where you want aged balsamic. A few drops of a real aged balsamic on Parmigiano-Reggiano is a different, better thing. Glaze is for drizzling.
Serving it: drizzle glaze over burrata, fresh mozzarella, strawberries, figs or chunks of Parmesan just before guests arrive, or put it in a small bowl with a spoon so it doesn't run across the board. You can make your own by simmering a cheap balsamic vinegar until it coats a spoon.
For what balsamic glaze pairs with and how to serve it, see the balsamic glaze guide. To see every ranked guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Balsamic glaze questions
What is the best balsamic glaze brand?
Bertolli, which scored 9.5 out of 10 in Sporked's taste test and is sold almost everywhere. DeLallo is the pick if you want something less sweet.
Is balsamic glaze the same as balsamic reduction?
Nearly. A reduction is balsamic vinegar simmered until thick. Store-bought glazes are often thickened and sweetened too.
What does balsamic glaze go with on a charcuterie board?
Burrata, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, strawberries, figs and prosciutto-wrapped fruit.
Does balsamic glaze need to be refrigerated?
Check the bottle. Most can be stored in the pantry after opening.
Sources
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