14 Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes You Can Try!

Among all kinds of vinegar out there, apple cider vinegar is a multipurpose one. From using it in our skincare to adding it to our food, there is nothing apple cider vinegar can’t do. Thus if you are running out of apple cider vinegar, you definitely need to get your hands on an apple cider vinegar substitute.

 Apple cider vinegar is usually used for salad dressing, pickling, and whatnot! But what should you do when you are out of it? Before running to the nearby store, look through your pantry, and try to find a good apple cider vinegar substitute.

 Apple cider vinegar has so many uses that it is hard to replace. However, some apple cider vinegar substitutes can work well in their place. 

Red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, sherry vinegar, rice vinegar, and balsamic vinegar are some of the best apple cider vinegar substitutes.

Most of us must have used apple cider vinegar a couple of times in our lives. Yet there are so many of my readers who are new to this amazing ingredient. Therefore before moving into apple cider vinegar substitute, let’s learn about apple cider vinegar.

Quick Peek: Apple Cider Vinegar

In this section, we will learn about apple cider vinegar. Let’s look at its taste, uses, health benefits, and more. A better understanding of the key ingredient will help you to find a suitable substitute. 

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is nothing but fermented apple juice. It is made by mixing crushed apples with water, yeast, and sugar.

This mixture then undergoes a process called fermentation, where the yeast in the mixture converts the sugar in the apple juice to alcohol. This process can take somewhere between three to four weeks.

Mostly the apple cider vinegar we get from the store is filtered. However, the original apple cider vinegar does contain some sediments from the process, and this unfiltered version is known as “the mother.”

These sediments are nothing but some leftover yeast and apple prices and are totally harmless. 

Apple cider vinegar has been in use for ages. Apple cider vinegar has so many uses to it. It is a ubiquitous name in any kitchen.

It is widely used as a salad dressing and brings a tangy taste to the dishes. Apart from that, apple cider Vinegar does have many health benefits. If you are keen to learn more about this vinegar, keep reading.

Describing Apple Cider Vinegar: Flavor And Texture

Apple cider vinegar has a runny consistency to it. Apple cider vinegar is available in two forms – filtered and unfiltered type. Both versions have a reddish-brown color to them. The unfiltered version will have some sediments floating in it, making it more cloudy.

Apple cider vinegar has a tangy taste with a hint of tartness and sweetness. The flavor of apple cider vinegar is very pleasant when compared to other vinegar available in the market.

With its vibrant flavor, apple cider vinegar does have a really pleasant smell to it. Adding apple cider vinegar to a recipe just brightens up the entire taste of the recipe! The entire flavor of the recipe.

Uses Of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many uses to it. With the onset of online culture, apple cider vinegar has gained popularity worldwide. From cleaning utensils to adding flavor to food, apple cider vinegar can be used in everything.

Suppose you are keen to know some of the well-known benefits of apple cider vinegar. Then, this session is for you. In this session, we have covered all the uses of apple cider vinegar in different areas.

The first and foremost use of apple cider vinegar is culinary. Apple cider vinegar is widely used as a flavoring ingredient in many dishes. Just a spoonful of apple cider vinegar is enough to bring a tangy twist to the food. 

Besides salad bowls, apple cider vinegar is also used to make marinades. Most meat marinades use apple cider vinegar as one of their key ingredients.

Apple cider vinegar makes the meat soft and also gives it a sweet and sour flavor. It is also widely used in making soups and sauces.

Like all other vinegar, apple cider vinegar can also be used as a preservative. In fact, people have been using apple cider vinegar as a pickling agent for ages. It gives the vegetables a sweet and sour taste, making them tastier.

Apple cider vinegar also works as a great cleaning agent. Just a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar is enough to remove stains. Also, mixing apple cider vinegar with water and spraying it around can help to remove any pungent odors from our homes.

Last but not least, apple cider vinegar has a great role to play in skin and hair care. If you are into Instagram DIY, you must have seen people using it for multiple purposes. Apple cider vinegar works great as a skin toner. 

Adding apple cider vinegar to your water can help compact your body odor. Also helps to fight all fungal infections, including dandruff, by changing the pH level of your skin. Above all these, there are multiple health benefits to ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

In the above section, we have gone through all the uses of apple cider vinegar. The uses of apple cider vinegar are just endless. However, there are much more health benefits to it. In this section, we are going to discuss the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

• Helps in weight loss: Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Acetic acid is known for improving metabolism and digestive health. Thus consuming apple cider vinegar can help you lose some weight. Moreover, acids create a feeling of fullness. Thus consuming some apple cider vinegar before your food makes you feel full.
• Used as a disinfectant: Apple cider vinegar has alcohol content, making it suitable for cleaning and disinfection purposes. Even though this isn’t a mainstream practice, people from many cultures widely use this as a disinfectant to clean their infections in nails and hair.
• Helps to lower blood sugar levels: Apple cider vinegar after a meal improves insulin sensitivity and lowers the body’s overall blood sugar level.
• Improves heart health: Studies show that apple cider vinegar has the ability to control blood cholesterol. Thus it helps to improve the overall health of the heart.

Why Use A Substitute For Apple Cider Vinegar?

After reading so much about apple cider vinegar, you might not want to substitute it with anything else. Even though apple cider vinegar is a great ingredient, there could be many situations where we need a good apple cider vinegar substitute.

First of all, is its availability, you might not find it in your local store. Apple cider vinegar has a great market now. But sometimes stores could run out of it. If you are in such a situation, try an apple cider vinegar substitute, regardless of going to another store.

Apple cider vinegar, as we have already discussed, has a tangy sour taste to it. People mostly like it. However, many couldn’t stand the smell of this vinegar. If you are someone like that, you need a good apple cider vinegar substitute.

Even though many stores are selling this nowadays, not all are original. Due to its high demand, many companies produce fake apple cider vinegar. Thus if you cannot find an original apple cider vinegar, go for a good apple cider vinegar substitute.

Now that we have talked so much about apple cider vinegar, I hope you all have a clear idea about the key ingredient. Now, let’s move to the crux of the article – that is, the best apple cider vinegar substitutes.

14 Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes

Now that you have a clear idea about apple cider vinegar let’s learn about its substitutes. In this section, we have listed all the suitable apple cider vinegar substitutes for you. 

1. White Wine Vinegar

White wine vinegar has a subtly sweet and sour taste. Its flavor profile is comparable to apple cider vinegar, and hence it can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute. White wine vinegar works great as apple cider vinegar substitutes in most dishes, especially salads.

However, white wine vinegar is slightly sourer than apple cider vinegar. Thus when we use white wine vinegar as an apple cider vinegar substitute, make it a little sweet by adding some kind of sweeteners.

2. Champagne Vinegar

Champagne vinegar is a type of vinegar made from certain types of grapes. It has a very subtle flavor profile. It is sour and sweet; hence, it works extremely well as an apple cider vinegar substitute.

Champagne vinegar has a very subtle flavor. It is sweet and has a hint of fruity taste. Thus when using it as an apple cider vinegar substitute, make sure to add more than asked. The taste of champagne vinegar works well in most recipes.

However, if you are seeking an idle apple cider vinegar substitute for your salad dressing, stop searching here and go for champagne vinegar. It blends extremely well with salt and oils to make the perfect salad dressing.

3. Red Wine Vinegar

 If you are cooking a Mediterranean dish and are looking for an apple cider vinegar substitute, then red wine vinegar is what you should use! It is sweet and tangy and has a flavor profile comparable to apple cider vinegar.

However, the flavor of red wine vinegar is more pronounced than apple cider vinegar. Thus while using red wine vinegar as an apple cider substitute, use less quantity and add more while adjusting its flavor.

But as you may have noticed, red wine vinegar is bright red. When adding it to a dish, it not only influences the taste but also brings a red hue to the dish. Therefore, if you dislike the coloring, avoid using this substitute.

4. Sherry Vinegar

Sherry vinegar is an underrated vinegar that could work extremely well as an apple cider vinegar substitute. It has a vibrant flavor profile that is comparable to that of apple cider vinegar. Thus if you have some sherry vinegar, use it as an apple cider vinegar substitute without a second thought.

Sherry vinegar has a complex flavor profile. It is subtly sweet and sour, just like other kinds of vinegar but has a hint of nuttiness. If you are a fan of nutty flavor in your recipes, then sherry vinegar is something you would love using.

While using sherry vinegar as an apple cider vinegar substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio. However, if you are a fan of sherry vinegar’s taste, you can add more according to your taste.

5. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar has a profound flavor profile. The flavor profile of rice vinegar is very similar to apple cider vinegar. It is subtly sweet and sour and works well as an apple cider vinegar substitute in most dishes. 

Rice vinegar, as we can imagine, is made from fermented rice. Thus, along with the sourness, rice vinegar holds a subtle sweetness, just like apple cider vinegar. It works extremely well in salad dressings, soups, and sauces.

While using rice vinegar as an apple cider vinegar substitute, you can follow the 1:1 ratio!

6. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is a vinegar made from grapefruit. It has a sour taste to it with a sweet note. Balsamic vinegar can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute in many recipes. It is also a widely available substitute.

Balsamic vinegar, however, has a bold sweetness to it. Therefore using it as an apple cider vinegar substitute might affect the overall taste of the food. Moreover, balsamic vinegar has a brown hue, which will affect your dish’s color.

However, if you are not concerned about the color, balsamic vinegar is something you should try! Its sweetness and sourness work extremely well in sauces, dips, and marinades.

7. Distilled White Wine

Distilled white wine is different from regular white wine. Distilled white wine has a very strong flavor profile. It can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute when in need.

However, the flavor of distilled white wine is extremely strong. It holds a strong sour taste to it. Therefore while using it as an apple cider vinegar substitute, use half the amount as that of apple cider vinegar.

While using distilled white wine as an apple cider vinegar substitute, add some fruit juice to the recipe to compact the sourness.

8. Malt Vinegar

Malt vinegar has a sweet, tangy flavor with a hint of nuttiness. It works well as an apple cider vinegar substitute in most dishes. The taste of malt vinegar is comparable to that of malted beer.

Malt vinegar works great as an apple cider vinegar substitute in most dishes. However, when it comes to fried dishes, it works especially well. However, the malty yeast taste is very distinct in malt vinegar and may not be of everyone’s liking.

9. Apple Juice 

Apple juice can be a good apple cider vinegar substitute. Since both are made from apples, the flavor and aroma can be similar. Apple juice can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute in dishes that don’t focus on its sour taste.

However, if you want to bring a similar apple cider vinegar taste to your recipe, you can mix the apple juice with any kind of vinegar or add some apple juice and follow it with some lemon juice.

10. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is undoubtedly one of the easiest and most cheaply available apple cider vinegar substitutes. It does bring a sour taste to your recipe and can be used in salad dressings as well as in meat rubs.

However, if you are going for lemon juice, make sure to follow it with some fruit juices to balance its flavor. While using lemon juice as an apple cider vinegar substitute, use ½ teaspoon of lemon juice for 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

11. Orange Juice

Orange juice has a sweet and sour taste to it. The flavor of orange juice is comparable to that of apple cider vinegar, and thus it can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute.

Orange juice does have a sour taste to it. However, that sourness isn’t comparable to the sharp, tangy flavor of the vinegar. Thus while using orange juice as an apple cider vinegar substitute, add some vinegar to bring in that tangy twist to your recipe.

While using it as an apple cider vinegar substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.

12. Lime Juice 

Lime juice is slightly different from lemon juice. Lime juice has a sharp sour flavor and hence can be used as an apple cider vinegar substitute. Lime juice can work well as an apple cider vinegar substitute in soups, sauces, and as well as in meat rubs.

Just like lemon juice, lime juice needs a bit of sweetening. Therefore while using it as an apple cider vinegar substitute, add some sweeteners to the recipe.

13. Rice Wine Vinegar

Rice wine vinegar has a sweet taste to it with a hint of sourness. The flavor profile of rice wine vinegar is very mild and comparable to apple cider vinegar. Therefore when in need, use rice wine vinegar as an apple cider vinegar substitute.

Many people often confuse rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar; even though both sound similar, rice wine vinegar is sweeter than that rice vinegar. When used as an apple cider vinegar substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.

14. Citric Acid 

Citric acid is the naturally occurring acid in lemon juice. Thus if you are looking for a good apple cider vinegar substitute, find citric acid. Its flavor brings in a sour taste similar to that of apple cider vinegar to your recipes.

Most apple cider vinegar substitutes in this article are liquids and, when added, could affect the consistency of your recipe. Citrus acid comes in powdered form and works very well in baking.

Short Recap Of The Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes

That was a long substitute list, right? I hope you have found the idle apple cider vinegar substitute. Are you still undecided about which of these substitutes you should choose? Don’t worry; here’s a little note that may assist you in escaping this difficult predicament.

Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-

1. Balsamic Vinegar
2. White Wine Vinegar

Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes That Are Easily Available-

1. Lemon Juice
2. Apple Juice
3. Orange Juice

Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-

1. Lemon Juice 
2. Distilled White Wine

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes In A Recipe

14 Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes You Can Try!

 Apple cider vinegar is usually used for salad dressing, pickling, and whatnot! But what should you do when you are out of it? Before running to the nearby store, look through your pantry, and try to find a good apple cider vinegar substitute!

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Ingredients

  

• Citric Acid
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Lime Juice
• Orange Juice
• Lemon Juice
• Apple Juice
• Malt Vinegar
• Distilled White Wine
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Rice Vinegar
• Sherry Vinegar
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Champagne Vinegar
• White Wine Vinegar

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Final Thoughts

Now that we have come to the end of the article, I hope you have to find the perfect apple cider vinegar substitute. Apple cider vinegar has a sweet taste to it with a hint of sourness.

Apart from being a culinary ingredient, it plays a huge role in maintaining our health as well as in cleaning.

There is no doubt in the fact that apple cider vinegar is a multi-proposed ingredient. However, when you are out of it, take a chance and use one of its substitutes. Most of the substitutes given in this section work well and are easily available. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)