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!
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!
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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 (or slightly less for baking recipes).
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 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 of the best alternatives to apple cider vinegar because the acidity profile is a close match, if not the same.
It should be noted that white wine vinegar doesn’t have the same fruity flavor as apple cider vinegar. 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 wonderful substitute when used in recipes complementary to the apple flavor (of ACV).
It won’t be nearly as acidic, as it hasn’t been fermented, but it 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 compared to the fruity flavors 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.
You should 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, 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.
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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.
| Substitute | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon Juice | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Lime Juice | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Orange Juice | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| White Wine Vinegar | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Apple Juice | 2 Tbsp | Use in a 2:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| White Vinegar | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust (add some lemon, lime, or orange juice for flavor) |
| Rice Wine Vinegar (unseasoned) | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Malt Vinegar | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Sherry Vinegar | 1 Tbsp | Use 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 Vinegar | 1 Tbsp | Use in a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust (this can add a much sweeter flavor, start with less if needed) |
| Beer | 3 Tbsp | Use in a 3:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Champagne Vinegar | 2 Tbsp | Use in a 2:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
| Red Wine Vinegar | 1 ¼ Tbsp | Use slightly more than a 1:1 ratio, taste and adjust |
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 ⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar, use ¼ 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 Vinegar | 5-10% |
| Sherry Vinegar | 7-8% |
| White Wine Vinegar | 6-7% |
| Red Wine Vinegar | 6-7% |
| Balsamic Vinegar | 6-7% |
| Rice Wine Vinegar | 4-7% |
| Malt Vinegar | 4-5% |
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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📖 Recipe Card
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute
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
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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