Explore Our Top 5 Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile ingredient used in cooking, baking, and food preservation. Whether you're whipping up a tangy salad dressing, baking a sweet apple pie, or following a recipe that calls for this distinct, fruity vinegar, there’s no need to worry if it’s missing from your pantry.

There are plenty of great substitutes to bring your dishes to life. Here are five of the best alternatives for apple cider vinegar—keep reading to find a suitable replacement that you already have at home.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is made through a fermentation process involving apple juice, yeast, and sugar. First, yeast is added to the apple juice to convert its sugars into alcohol. Then, the alcohol undergoes a second fermentation to produce acetic acid, which is the main component of vinegar.

What Does Apple Cider Taste Like?

Apple cider vinegar has a bold, tangy flavor. Its sharp acidity is balanced by a hint of apple sweetness, providing a distinctive taste.

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a beloved ingredient that enhances the flavor of many dishes. When used in homemade dressings, its zesty kick adds depth without overwhelming the fresh taste of your greens. 

It’s also a key component in creating glazes and sauces like barbecue sauces, where the vinegar’s fruity notes provide sweetness and caramelize beautifully with heat. 

The natural sweetness of apple cider vinegar elevates the flavor of main ingredients, making it ideal for pickling, finishing dishes, roasting vegetables, crafting apple butter, and more.

Apple cider vinegar is also a great addition to drinks like switchels, shrubs, ciders, tonics, and turmeric-infused teas.

Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes

If you’re out of apple cider vinegar and don’t want to make a grocery run, there are six common pantry ingredients you can use as substitutes:

White Wine Vinegar

White wine vinegar is a solid choice as a substitute for apple cider vinegar, thanks to its similar acidity. While it lacks the fruity undertones of apple cider vinegar, its mild and neutral flavor works well. To mimic the apple flavor, simply add ¼ teaspoon of citrus juice for every tablespoon of white wine vinegar when making vinaigrettes or salad dressings.

Replace apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of white wine vinegar in your recipes.

Rice Wine Vinegar

Rice wine vinegar, also known as rice vinegar, has a mild tang and slight acidity. While it lacks the fruity flavor of apple cider vinegar, you can add ¼ teaspoon of citrus juice or sugar for every tablespoon of rice wine vinegar to mimic the apple taste. 

Rice wine vinegar works wonderfully as a substitute for apple cider vinegar in dishes like stir-fries, rice meals, and soups. Use it in equal amounts, replacing apple cider vinegar with a 1:1 ratio.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is an excellent alternative to apple cider vinegar, especially in vinaigrettes and dressings. It also pairs well with meats, poultry, fish, slaws, and roasted vegetables, helping to balance their savory flavors.

Since balsamic vinegar is made from fermented grape juice, it’s fruitier and sweeter than apple cider vinegar. It also has a darker hue. If color isn’t a priority, balsamic is a great option for replacing apple cider vinegar.

Replace apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of balsamic vinegar in your recipes.

 Lemon Juice

Freshly squeezed lemon juice, as well as bottled lemon juice, makes a simple substitute for apple cider vinegar, particularly in dressings and marinades, as both share a fruity and acidic profile.

Substitute apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of lemon juice.

Lime Juice

Freshly squeezed or bottled lime juice can act as a stand-in for apple cider vinegar in salad dressings and marinades, much like lemon juice. However, lime juice has a stronger flavor, so start with a 1/2 to 1 ratio and adjust to a 1:1 ratio based on your taste preference.