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    Home » Recipes » Substitutions

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute

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    Apple cider vinegar substitute pin with text header.

    All of the best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute options to use for all of your cooking, baking, and preserving needs! Whether you're in the middle of a recipe and realize you've run out, or simply don't have any cider vinegar on hand, there is sure to be a readily available alternate below!

    Apple cider vinegar substitute image showing bottled acv.
    Apple cider vinegar is a commonly used ingredient with many easy, flavorful alternatives shared here!

    The 13 best substitutes for Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in cooking and baking!

    Don't get stuck on a recipe because you're halfway into making something awesome and realize you're out of apple cider vinegar! With my complete list of the best apple cider vinegar substitute options shared here, you can easily swap out your ingredients!

    Check out all of my cider vinegar substitutions listed below, or look at the purpose-specific section to help you best match the ACV alternate to your recipe!

    Table of contents

    • What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
    • Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutions
      • 1. Lemon Juice
      • 2. Lime Juice
      • 3. Orange Juice
      • 4. White Wine Vinegar
      • 5. Apple Juice
      • 6. White Vinegar
      • 7. Unseasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
      • 8. Malt Vinegar
      • 9. Sherry Vinegar
      • 10. Balsamic Vinegar
      • 11. Beer
      • 12. Champagne Vinegar
      • 13. Red Wine Vinegar
    • Table 1: Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes
    • ACV Cooking & Baking Substitutions
      • For Deglazing Pans
      • For Baking
      • For Ribs & Pulled Pork
      • For Pickling
      • Table 2: Acetic Acid Content of Vinegars
    • Recipes Using Apple Cider Vinegar
    • FAQ

    What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

    It should come as no surprise that apple cider vinegar (also called cider vinegar) derives from apples! More specifically, apples are crushed to release apple juice, which is then fermented into vinegar.

    This light golden vinegar has had yeast added to the sugars of the apple juice to form an alcohol. The (apple juice) alcohol is then turned into acetic acid through the fermentation process.

    Apple cider vinegar is used in a variety of recipes, from salad dressings and marinades to preserving, cooking, and baking.

    Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutions

    I'm starting out with my personal favorite here, which would be lemon juice. Other great apple cider vinegar substitutes are listed below for you to select from.

    Choose the best ACV alternative based upon the flavor profile of what you are making and go from there!

    1. Lemon Juice

    Lemon juice is perhaps the best substitution for apple cider vinegar. Fresh lemons or pre-squeezed lemon juice are easy to find at any supermarket.

    The flavor matches apple cider vinegar better than any other alternative and is guaranteed to add the fruity acidity that your recipe needs.

    Substitute lemon juice for apple cider vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.

    2. Lime Juice

    Like lemon juice, lime juice is another fantastic alternative to apple cider vinegar. It is stronger than lemon juice, but still has the fruity acidity that you need.

    This alternative is perfect for salad dressings, marinades, and recipes that require cooking.

    Squeeze some fresh limes and use a 1:1 ratio for this one!

    3. Orange Juice

    It's not surprising to see orange juice on the list when you see other common citrus fruits including lemon and lime on the list as well. Like lemon and lime juice, this citrus fruit can also replace apple cider vinegar with very tasty results.

    Orange juice is fruity, tangy, and has the acidity that your recipe calls for.

    Use orange juice in a 1:1 ratio for apple cider vinegar substitution.

    4. White Wine Vinegar

    White wine vinegar is another one of the best alternatives to apple cider vinegar because the acidity profile is such a close match, if not the same.

    It should be noted, though, that white wine vinegar doesn’t have the same fruity flavor that apple cider vinegar has. So, it is recommended to add some fresh citrus (lemon, lime, or orange) juice to the mix.

    To substitute white wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar, use a 1:1 ratio.

    5. Apple Juice

    Perhaps overlooked, you can easily use apple juice as an alternative to apple cider vinegar. This is a particularly wonderful substitute when used in recipes that are complementary to the apple flavor (of ACV).

    It won’t be nearly as acidic, as it hasn’t been fermented, but definitely has the fruity flavor that matches!

    Use 2 tablespoons of apple juice for 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, or a 2:1 ratio.

    6. White Vinegar

    White vinegar can be considered neutral in flavor but it is highly acidic.

    You can use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar using a 1:1 ratio but it is recommended that you add some fresh citrus juice to add some fruity flavor, making it a closer match to apple cider vinegar.

    7. Unseasoned Rice Wine Vinegar

    Rice wine vinegar isn’t as common as many of the other vinegar varieties but it should be! It’s versatile and can be used for rice dishes, stir-fries, soups, and even in salad dressings.

    It has a fruity flavor like apple cider vinegar but isn’t as acidic. Still, you can substitute using a 1:1 ratio.

    8. Malt Vinegar

    Malt vinegar isn’t one of the most common types of vinegar but can be used as a substitution if you have it.

    It’s made from fermented barley, so it has a yeasty flavor in comparison to the fruity flavors that are typical of many kinds of vinegar.

    To use malt vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar, substitute with a 1:1 ratio.

    9. Sherry Vinegar

    Sherry vinegar has a unique, bold flavor that is different than apple cider vinegar but has the same acidic profile.

    It is recommended that you taste a sample of sherry vinegar first to see if you like the flavor. If you like it, then you can use a 2:1 substitution.

    If you don’t love the flavor but have no other option, use sherry vinegar in a 1:1 substitution ratio for apple cider vinegar.

    10. Balsamic Vinegar

    Balsamic vinegar is a common pantry and can be used as an alternative to apple cider vinegar, especially in salad dressings.

    It’s much sweeter, though, so use a 1:1 ratio or less. Also note that it’s dark in color, so if you don’t mind the darker coloring in your recipe, you can use it.

    11. Beer

    If you don’t have any of the other aforementioned alternatives or want to try something different, you can use beer as an alternative to apple cider vinegar. Beer actually makes a great substitution, depending on the recipe, and you may have it on hand.

    Because beer doesn’t have the same acid profile as apple cider vinegar you should select a mild-flavored beer and use a 3:1 ratio.

    12. Champagne Vinegar

    Champagne vinegar can be hard to find but is a great substitution for apple cider vinegar. It’s milder in flavor, but perfectly acidic, and can be used like rice wine vinegar, in soups, rice, stir-fries, and dressings.

    The recommended substitution ratio for this ACV alternative is 2:1. Use 2 parts champagne vinegar for each 1 part apple cider vinegar.

    13. Red Wine Vinegar

    Red wine vinegar has a similar fruity flavor but isn’t as strong as apple cider vinegar. It’s also red, so be aware that it will likely change the color of whatever you are using it for.

    To use red wine vinegar, substitute with a little more, using a 1.25:1 ratio. To make the math easier, for every tablespoon of apple cider vinegar the recipe calls for, use 1 and ¼ tablespoons of red wine vinegar.

    Table 1: Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes

    Use each of the substitute options below in the amount noted for each 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar called for in your recipe.

    SubstituteAmountNotes
    Lemon Juice1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Lime Juice1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Orange Juice1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    White Wine Vinegar1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Apple Juice2 TbspUse in a 2:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    White Vinegar1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust (add some lemon, lime, or orange juice for flavor)
    Rice Wine Vinegar (unseasoned)1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Malt Vinegar1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Sherry Vinegar1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust (unless you like the flavor of sherry vinegar, then you can use up to 2 tablespoons)
    Balsamic Vinegar1 TbspUse in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust (this can add a much sweeter flavor, start with less if needed)
    Beer3 TbspUse in a 3:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Champagne Vinegar2 TbspUse in a 2:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Red Wine Vinegar1 ¼ TbspUse slightly more than a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust
    Ratios of substitutes to apple cider vinegar to use in cooking.

    ACV Cooking & Baking Substitutions

    Some of the specific substitutes for apple cider vinegar, based on purpose, help you best match your recipe to the most suitable alternative.

    For Deglazing Pans

    To deglaze a pan use sherry, port, a complimentary flavor profile wine (to match your protein), or use stock or broth (an alcohol-free alternative).

    For Baking

    When baking, you can use regular white vinegar (in a 1:1 ratio) or lemon juice in a slightly smaller amount. If the recipe calls for ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, use ⅓ cup of lemon juice instead.

    For Ribs & Pulled Pork

    To cook ribs and pulled pork recipes that call for apple cider vinegar, look no further than lemon, lime juice, or orange juice! All three are easy, tasty alternatives that will add both sweetness and acidity to your pulled pork dinners.

    For Pickling

    For pickling alternatives, use white vinegar, malt vinegar, or another vinegar that has at least 4% acetic acid. ACV has an acetic acid content of 5-6% which means that it is technically classified as a weak acid.

    Whenever you are substituting for apple cider vinegar in canning and pickling recipes, you want to find a vinegar that comes as close as possible to the acetic acid content of apple cider vinegar.

    Table 2: Acetic Acid Content of Vinegars

    To best substitute for cider vinegar, choose a comparable vinegar in both flavor and acetic acid content (as best as possible). For pickling, canning, and preserving foods your acetic acid content matters!

    Type of Vinegar(Typical) Acetic Acid %
    Distilled White Vinegar5-10%
    Sherry Vinegar7-8%
    White Wine Vinegar6-7%
    Red Wine Vinegar6-7%
    Balsamic Vinegar6-7%
    Rice Wine Vinegar4-7%
    Malt Vinegar4-5%
    The typical acetic acid content of many types of vinegar to compare against the 5-6% acetic acid content of apple cider vinegar.

    Recipes Using Apple Cider Vinegar

    I love using apple cider vinegar when smoking meats, you can see it in action with my smoked St. Louis pork ribs and smoked beef ribs! Apple cider vinegar also makes the flavor of my sweet and sour sauce divinely tangy!!

    FAQ

    Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?

    Yes! White vinegar can be used instead of apple cider vinegar. As mentioned above, it is recommended that you add some fresh citrus juice, which will give the white vinegar a fruity flavor. This combination of white vinegar and citrus juice matches the flavor and acidic profile of apple cider vinegar.

    Can I substitute balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar?

    You can! Balsamic vinegar is sweeter than apple cider vinegar, though, so it is recommended that you do no more than a 1:1 ratio. You might even want to consider starting with less than 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, as you can always add more.

    Which is stronger: white vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

    White vinegar is the strongest kind of vinegar with 5-10% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar only contains 4-6% acetic acid, making it not as strong as its counterpart.

    What does apple cider vinegar do in baking?

    It may come as a surprise that apple cider vinegar is sometimes used in baking, particularly for vegan recipes. It adds tangy flavor, aerated texture, and helps activate baking soda.

    Apple cider vinegar substitute image showing bottled acv.
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    5 from 43 reviews

    Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute

    All of the best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute options to use for all of your cooking, baking, and preserving needs! Whether you're in the middle of a recipe and realize you've run out, or simply don't have any cider vinegar on hand, there is sure to be a readily available alternate below!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 3kcal
    Prep 1 minute
    Cooking 0 minutes
    Total Time 1 minute
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    Option 1 - Lemon Juice

    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Option 2 - Lime Juice

    • 1 tablespoon lime juice

    Option 3 - Orange Juice

    • 1 tablespoon orange juice

    Option 4 - White Wine Vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

    Option 5 - Apple Juice

    • 2 tablespoon apple juice

    Option 6 - White Vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar (plus a splash of some citrus juice)

    Option 7 - Rice Wine Vinegar (Unseasoned)

    • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (use unseasoned rice wine vinegar)

    Option 8 - Malt Vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon malt vinegar

    Option 9 - Sherry Vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (1-2 tablespoons depending on taste)

    Option 10 - Balsamic Vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (start with less, add more to taste)

    Option 11 - Beer

    • 3 tablespoon beer (select a mild-flavored beer variety)

    Option 12 - Champagne Vinegar

    • 2 tablespoon champagne vinegar

    Option 13 - Red Wine Vinegar

    • 1 ¼ tablespoon red wine vinegar

    Instructions

    Option 1 - Lemon Juice

    • Use lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts lemon juice to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Option 2 - Lime Juice

    • Use lime juice in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts lime juice to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon lime juice

    Option 3 - Orange Juice

    • Use orange juice in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts orange juice to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon orange juice

    Option 4 - White Wine Vinegar

    • Use white wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts white wine vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

    Option 5 - Apple Juice

    • Use apple juice in a 2:1 ratio, or 2 tablespoons of apple juice to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      2 tablespoon apple juice

    Option 6 - White Vinegar

    • Use white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts white vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe. For best results, add some lemon, lime, or orange juice for flavor.
      1 tablespoon white vinegar

    Option 7 - Rice Wine Vinegar (Unseasoned)

    • Use unseasoned rice wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts rice wine vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

    Option 8 - Malt Vinegar

    • Use malt vinegar in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts malt vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 tablespoon malt vinegar

    Option 9 - Sherry Vinegar

    • Use sherry vinegar either in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts sherry vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe. OR (if you like the sherry vinegar taste) use 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar for each 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
      1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

    Option 10 - Balsamic Vinegar

    • Use balsamic vinegar in a 1:1 ratio of equal parts balsamic vinegar to the amount of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe. Note that balsamic vinegar has a sweet taste, be sure to start with less balsamic vinegar and adjust to taste.
      1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

    Option 11 - Beer

    • Use beer in a 3:1 ratio, or three tablespoons of beer for each 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      3 tablespoon beer

    Option 12 - Champagne Vinegar

    • Use champagne vinegar in a 2:1 ratio, or 2 tablespoons of champagne vinegar to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      2 tablespoon champagne vinegar

    Option 13 - Red Wine Vinegar

    • Use red wine vinegar in a 1.25:1 ratio, or 1 ¼ tablespoons of red wine vinegar to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar called for in a recipe.
      1 ¼ tablespoon red wine vinegar

    Notes

    Unless otherwise noted in the specific item instructions, each replacement listed here is for 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute, substitutions
    Course Substitutions
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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