Homemade Tarragon Vinegar Recipe

Tarragon vinegar is one of those simple homemade pantry staples that can completely change the way you cook.

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Fresh tarragon adds a delicate anise-like flavor to vinegar, making it especially delicious in salad dressings, marinades, sauces, and recipes where you want a little extra brightness.

It’s incredibly easy to make and is a wonderful way to preserve fresh tarragon from your herb garden.

What Is Tarragon Vinegar?

Tarragon vinegar is simply vinegar that has been infused with fresh tarragon. As the herbs sit in the vinegar, their flavor slowly infuses into the liquid.

You can use it anywhere you would normally use vinegar, but the subtle tarragon flavor makes it especially good in homemade salad dressings and classic sauces.

What You Need

You only need a few ingredients:

1 cup white wine vinegar
½ cup fresh tarragon leaves and tender stems
A clean glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid

White wine vinegar is my favorite for this recipe because its mild flavor allows the tarragon to shine.

Want to try making your own jelly at home?

Get my free guide with 8 easy, beginner-friendly jelly recipes you can confidently make.

You can also experiment with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar depending on how you plan to use it.

How to Make Tarragon Vinegar

1. Harvest the Tarragon

Choose fresh, healthy tarragon stems. Morning is a good time to harvest herbs, after the dew has dried.

Remove any yellow or damaged leaves.

2. Wash and Dry the Herbs

Gently rinse the tarragon if necessary and pat it dry.

It’s important that the herbs are as dry as possible before adding them to the vinegar.

3. Bruise the Tarragon

Gently crush or bruise the leaves between your fingers.

You don’t need to pulverize them. The goal is simply to release some of the aromatic oils so they can infuse into the vinegar.

4. Add the Vinegar

Place the tarragon in a clean glass jar and pour the vinegar over it.

Make sure all of the herbs are completely submerged.

Cover the jar tightly.

5. Let It Infuse

Place the jar somewhere cool and dark for about 2–4 weeks.

Give the jar a gentle shake every few days.

Taste it after two weeks. If you want a stronger tarragon flavor, allow it to continue infusing.

Strain the Vinegar

Once the vinegar has reached the flavor you want, strain out the tarragon.

Pour the infused vinegar through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle.

Discard the herbs.

For a pretty homemade pantry gift, add a small fresh sprig of tarragon to the bottle after straining, but only if you’re going to use it promptly.

How to Store Tarragon Vinegar

Store the finished vinegar in a clean, tightly sealed bottle or jar in a cool, dark pantry.

For the best quality, use it within several months and check for any changes in appearance, smell, or flavor before using.

If you’re making infused vinegars as gifts or for long-term pantry storage, refrigeration is the more conservative option.

How to Use Tarragon Vinegar

There are so many ways to use this flavorful homemade vinegar.

Homemade Salad Dressing

Tarragon vinegar makes an especially delicious vinaigrette.

Combine it with:

Olive oil
Dijon mustard
Honey
Salt
Black pepper

Whisk everything together for an easy homemade dressing.

Marinades

Use tarragon vinegar in marinades for chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Sauces

Tarragon vinegar is wonderful in creamy sauces and classic French-inspired sauces.

Potato Salad

Add a splash to homemade potato salad for a bright, herby flavor.

Roasted Vegetables

Drizzle a little over roasted vegetables just before serving.

Grain and Pasta Salads

A little tarragon vinegar adds brightness to grain salads, pasta salads, and other cold dishes.

Tips for Making Tarragon Vinegar

Use fresh tarragon. Fresh herbs provide the best flavor for this infusion.

Don’t rush the infusion. Give the vinegar at least two weeks to develop its flavor.

Taste as you go. Tarragon can become quite pronounced, so you can stop the infusion when the flavor is right for you.

Use a mild vinegar. White wine vinegar lets the delicate flavor of tarragon come through without overpowering it.

More Homemade Pantry Ideas

If you enjoy making your own pantry staples, you’ll also want to try our homemade Herb Salt Recipes and Herb Butter Recipes.

You can also learn how to preserve more of your garden herbs with:

Making your own herb-infused pantry staples is a simple way to use more of what you grow and keep those garden flavors going long after the growing season ends.

Homemade tarragon vinegar is inexpensive, easy to make, and surprisingly versatile.

A jar of it in your pantry gives you an easy way to add fresh herb flavor to everyday meals without having to reach for a complicated recipe.

If you grow tarragon, this is definitely one preservation project worth adding to your homemade pantry.

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